Opportunities for immigration through education have always attracted many talented young people from around the world. More recently, important changes have occurred in the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta regarding foreign students. Pavel Lifanov, Vice president of Green Light Canada, provides more details about these changes.
According to Lifanov, the government of Alberta is extending the transition period for the Alberta Opportunity Stream List of Alberta Advanced Education Approved Post-Secondary Credentials to allow students and post-secondary educational institutions enough time to meet the new requirements. The new changes for Post-Graduate Work Permit holders will go into effect on April 1, 2019.
Foreign students who started their studies before April 1, 2019, in one-year certificate programs, and post-graduate certificate and diploma programs that are not on the Alberta Opportunity Stream List of Alberta Advanced Education Approved Post-Secondary Credentials will still be able to apply for the AINP based on old conditions if they meet all other requirements. Students who are admitted and registered on or after April 1, 2019, in one of these programs, will not be eligible to apply for AINP with a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Nevertheless, they will still have an opportunity to apply for the provincial Express Entry stream.
Read also: Pavel Lifanov: Provincial Immigration Is a Good Alternative for the Federal Programs.
On November 30, 2018, Manitoba has opened a new immigration path for foreign students who graduated from the post-secondary institutions in the province. In order to be eligible for the Career Employment Pathway, candidates must have graduated from a full-time program of at least one year in length and be residing in the province at the time they submit their Expression of Interest (EOI). Therefore, Lifanov emphasizes that international graduates in Manitoba now have additional ways of immigration under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
Lifanov concludes that provincial immigration through education continues to gain momentum, so those who want to take advantage of this way should keep your eyes open.
