Saskatchewan creates new immigration category for graduate entrepreneurs
Credit to Author: Shelby Thevenot| Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2019 17:30:46 +0000
A new immigration pathway is now open for international graduates of eligible post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan who want to start a business in the province.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) unveiled the new International Graduate Entrepreneur Category on December 3.
“This new immigration pathway will help retain international students who have often already successfully integrated into communities in the province,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a government media release.
“It will also help create new businesses and jobs, as well as keep Saskatchewan competitive in attracting and retaining international students and investment.”
The new SINP category supports Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan for 2020 to 2030, which includes a focus on increasing the number of skilled and entrepreneurial newcomers in Saskatchewan.
The province’s Advanced Education Minister, Tina Beaudry-Mellor, said Saskatchewan’s Post-Secondary International Education Strategy also aims to attract more international students to the province.
“International [student] education is an important driver for Saskatchewan’s future economic and cultural growth,” Beaudry-Mellor said in the release.
“This new category will help encourage international students to make Saskatchewan their home once they complete their studies.”
The new category is for international graduates of full-time, post-secondary degree or diploma programs of at least two years in length.
Those who are approved will have to operate and manage a business in Saskatchewan for at least one year and own at least one-third of the equity in a qualified business in order to be eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
Candidates for the SINP’s International Graduate Entrepreneur Category must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Distant learning programs and accelerated academic programs are not eligible.
There are four steps in the application and nomination process through the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.
Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs
Photo courtesy of Tourism Saskatoon.
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