Hiring an international student or graduate has many benefits to
an employer. Not only are you bringing on an educated candidate, but you are
also providing students and graduates the opportunity to heighten their
experience and appreciation of Canada, making it a worthwhile investment in the
labour force of the future.
There
are many benefits to hiring international workers:
- Addressing labour market needs
- Bringing investment opportunities and connections to global markets
- Bringing new ideas, new perspectives and new voices of optimism
- Strengthening our communities
- Contributing to our cultural diversity
- Becoming consumers and paying
taxes
- they have studied at a Canadian post-secondary institution and
are already accustomed to life in Canada
- no problem with foreign credential recognition
Before Graduation
While
enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in Nova Scotia, international
students who retain a satisfactory academic standing can apply for permits to
work for a maximum of 20 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session
and full-time during study breaks. More information can be found here.
After graduation
An international graduate may be eligible to stay and work in
Canada by applying for a post-graduation work permit.
Post-graduation
work permit program
The post-graduation work permit program is designed to provide international
students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary
institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience for up to three years
after graduation.
The benefit of this program is that
international graduate is granted an open work permit meaning he/she can
work for any employer without requiring a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) first.
There are different options available to hire international
graduates, depending on the length of time since their graduation day.
Under 90 Days: International
students have 90 days from their graduation day to apply for a post-graduate
open work permit which allows them to work for up to three years, depending on
their length of study. For
an employer, hiring graduates who already have a post-graduate work permit
requires no additional steps; it is the same as hiring Canadian citizens
or permanent residents.
Over 90 Days: If
you wish to hire an international student who has not applied for a
postgraduate work
permit within 90 days of graduation, the student can apply to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a work permit through the Temporary
Foreign
Worker Program. In most cases, the employer will also need a Labour
Market Opinion.
Permanently Hiring International
Graduates
Nova
Scotia Nominee Program
OPTION
1: Applying
to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).
OPTION
2: Applying
to Citizenship and Immigration Canada through federal immigration streams.
For more
information, visit the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration website or call 902-424-5230 to speak with an officer directly.