Provincial Nominee Program

1

• Provincial Nominee Program
• Presentation for International Students and
  Graduates
• September 22, 2007

2
Immigration Strategy

• First provincial immigration strategy released
  March 2007.
• Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM)
  established.
• Provincial Nominee Program transferred from INTRD
  to Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism.
• Retention of international students identified as
  a key goal.

3
International Students Graduates

• Over 1000 international students enrolled in
  provincial institutions.
• Possess recognized credentials.
• Possible local work experience.
• Ties to the local community.
• Growing economy provides opportunities for
  employment.

4
What is the Provincial Nominee Program

• The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a result
  of an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration
  Canada.
• The PNP enables the province to nominate
  individuals for immigration.
• Individuals who have a strong commitment to
  maintaining a residence in the Province will have
  greater chance of being nominated.

5
Program Objectives

• To enhance the provincial economy through the
  immigration of skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
• To address particular skill shortages/gaps in
  identified sectors and regions of the province.
• To attract entrepreneurs with the appropriate
  skills and capital to create new jobs.
• To increase our population base.

6
Program Categories

• Skilled Worker - guaranteed job offer from a
  local employer or are currently employed on a
  work permit with a local employer.
• Entrepreneur Category establish a new business
  or purchase an existing business, intend to be
  self-employed in the business and reside in the
  province.
• Immigrant Partner Category invest in a local
  company.

7
Skilled Worker Category

• Eligible applicants are required to have
• specialized skills that are deemed as having
  critical impact on the operations of the
  employer
• bona fide offer of paid employment
• The employer will have to ensure that the
  applicants skills could not have been met
  locally and /or that the position was extremely
  difficult to fill.

8
Skilled Worker Category contd

• Provincial credentials standards and/or
  professional licensing requirements must be
  successfully completed prior to nomination.
• In some cases, OIM will cooperate with the
  employer to obtain a work permit.
• Healthcare sector- OIM will require applicants to
  work for at least 6 months before they are
  eligible to apply.

9
The Application Process

• Applicant completes the Self-Assessment form -
  score of 50 points is required.
• Complete Skilled Worker forms and attach
  supporting documents.
• Employment Offer completed by employer.
• Processing Fee reduced to 150

10
The Application Process contd

• Additional information may be requested at any
  time.
• Applicants may be required to attend an
  interview.
• Average processing time 3 to 6 weeks.
• Additional staff will further reduce processing
  time.

11
Next Steps Successful Applicants

• Successful applicants will be issued a
  Certificate of Nomination.
• Certificate is forwarded to a Canadian Embassy.
• Applicants submit permanent residence application
  to same Embassy.
• Application is processed as a PN category.

12
Why Choose the PNP?

• Nomination NL Sponsorship of federal
  immigration application.
• Applicants will have direct access to visa office
  via OIM.
• Processing of the permanent residence application
  will be expedited.
• Work permits

13
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
Responsibilities

• Conduct due diligence to validate information
  submitted on applications.
• Confirm employment.
• Make a determination on commitment to reside in
  the province.

14
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Responsibilities

• CIC will conduct security, admissibility, and
  medical screening and interviews when necessary.
• CIC will consider the issuance of work permits at
  the request of OIM.
• CIC has sole responsibility for issuing permanent
  residence visa.

15
Future of PNP

• OIM committed to the enhancement of PNP
• International Graduate category
• Family Connection category
• Other
• Increase promotion of PNP to local employers.
• Create awareness among employers of the benefits
  of hiring international graduates.

16
Can PNP work for you?

• YES IT CAN!
• You can apply for nomination
• Job offer or employed in field of study or
  related field
• Work permit
• Make an appointment with a Program Officer to
  discuss your eligibility.

17
Contact Information

• PNP website www.nlpnp.ca
• Email pnp_at_gov.nl.ca
• Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
• http//www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/immigration/english
  /index.htm
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.cic.gc.ca