Canada may soon experience a fresh influx of Maltese migrants thanks to a new scheme operated by NSTS in collaboration with a Canadian programme called Swap.

The scheme makes it easy for Maltese students interested in spending a year in the land of maple and moose to get an open work permit allowing them to work anywhere across the country.

"It is notoriously difficult to get a Canadian work permit. Among other things, you have to prove no one else in Canada can do the job you want to do," Trevor Diacono, from NSTS, said, adding this made working while taking a gap year in Canada nigh on impossible.

The scheme will also open the Canadian job market to Maltese students because, once there, it is much easier to remain. "If they feel you are an asset to their company they might keep you on," Mr Diacono explained.

The exchange programme is open to full-time students aged 18 to 35. If by the time their registration is approved applicants have finished their studies they would still be eligible.

Among other things, NSTS also offer applicants a job placement system, where they facilitate interviews with prospective employers.

"Demand for these 30 places is high because many Maltese have relatives in Canada. Since I started working on this project, I learnt it is quite difficult to obtain dual citizenship from Canada," Mr Diacono said.

Swap is a not-for-profit programme by the Canadian Federation of Students, which specialises in working holidays overseas.

Once applicants receive the confirmation letter from Swap, they can exchange the letter for a work visa as soon as they get to Canada.

Anyone interested in the scheme can contact Mr Diacono on 9901 1082 or e-mail tdiac@nsts.org.