Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
Saskatchewan is home to one of the country’s most rapidly growing economies and populations, thanks largely to the arrival of immigrants from around the world.
Saskatchewan is one of the Prairie provinces of Western Canada. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture and important natural resources industries like forestry and fishing. It boasts two major cities, Saskatoon and Regina, as well as vast expanses of pristine wilderness.
Saskatchewan is very successful with immigration. The province was welcoming between 3,000 and 4,000 newcomers per year. That number has now grown to 15,000. This is particularly impressive when considering that Saskatchewan’s population is just over 1 million. The province is one of Canada’s most popular destinations for newcomers.
About Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
The Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program, officially the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), was launched in 1998.
It was launched to help address economic, and labour market needs through immigration to the province.
Saskatchewan’s provincial program has been very successful. Seven out of 10 newcomers to the province immigrated through the SINP. The province also has a high employment rate for newcomers, around 76 percent. Retention rates are also increased, with over 85 percent of newcomers choosing to stay in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan is a popular destination among newcomers. The Saskatchewan PNP program has a reputation for being an “easy PNP.” It may be because of the variety of immigration options it provides immigration candidates. Saskatchewan has an enhanced sub-category and many base sub-categories. The enhanced sub-category is called Saskatchewan Express Entry and is under the International Skilled Worker Category.
Enhanced means that the sub-category is aligned with the Express Entry system, which is the system that the federal government uses to manage permanent residence applications through the country’s three main economic class immigration programs. The Express Entry system gives a candidate a point score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence during an Express Entry draw.
If you get a nomination from an enhanced provincial program, you get an extra 600 CRS points, practically guaranteeing you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You also get your nomination through your Express Entry profile.
The majority of Saskatchewan’s sub-categories are base streams. This means that they are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a provincial nomination must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If you wish to immigrate to Saskatchewan, then you have four options to choose from:
• International Skilled Worker Category
• Saskatchewan Experience Category
• Entrepreneur and Farm Category
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.
The International Skilled Worker Category is for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign workers already living in Saskatchewan, including holders of a current work permit and international graduates.
The Entrepreneur and Farm Category is for individuals who wish to own and actively operate a business or a farming operation in Saskatchewan.
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for international students graduating from an eligible post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan and planning to start a business in the province.
The International Skilled Worker Category consists of three pathways: Employment Offer This sub-category is for skilled workers who have a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. Occupations In-Demand This sub-category is for highly skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan who still need to get a job offer in the province.
- Have proof of legal status, if currently residing in Canada
- Score a minimum of 60 points out of 110 on the point assessment grid
Sub-Category | Is a job offer required? | Additional Requirements |
Employment Offer | Yes |
|
Occupations In Demand | No |
|
Saskatchewan Express Entry | No |
|
Saskatchewan uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand sub-categories.
You must first register your EOI on the SINP Apply Online portal, where you will be asked to fill out a form.
To enter the EOI pool, you must score a minimum of 60 out of 110 points in the EOI Points Grid. The EOI Points Grid assesses you based on five factors:
- Education and training
- Skilled work experience
- Language ability
- Age and connections to the Saskatchewan labour market
- Adaptability
You will be invited to apply during an EOI draw if selected.
You can apply for a provincial nomination from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). You can do this through the same portal. If you have a job offer and are applying through the Employment Offer sub-category, you can apply directly without registering an EOI.
After your application is approved, you can apply for permanent residence directly to IRCC. If you’re applying through the Express Entry sub-category, Saskatchewan will enter your nomination details into the system. This means you will get an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which will effectively guarantee to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is a fast-track immigration program for tech professionals who have a profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system and be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Those who believe they match the stream’s eligibility requirements are invited to submit an online application on the AAIP portal to be evaluated for this stream. The AAIP checks to see if the candidate satisfies the minimum eligibility requirements, and if they do, they ask them to apply for a provincial nomination.
Application Fee: CAD 500
How it works:
Candidates who are employed by or have a job offer from an employer in the Alberta technology sector in an approved tech occupation and who meet the qualifications for the Alberta Express Entry stream may start the application process under the expedited pathway. They must accomplish this by submitting an online form on the AAIP website. The AAIP will invite candidates that satisfy the stream requirements to apply for a provincial nomination by submitting the necessary paperwork via the AINP online portal.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must have a profile in the Express Entry pool;
- Must have expressed interest in immigrating to Alberta permanently;
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300;
- Must be working or receive a job offer in an eligible tech occupation in Alberta.
Must have a minimum net worth of CAD 500,000 (or CAD 300,000 through the Young Farmer Stream),
• Must have accumulated your net worth through legal means (verified to at least 80 percent).
Sub-Category | Additional Requirements |
Entrepreneur Sub-Category |
|
Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category |
The Young Farmer Stream has additional requirements:
|
Entrepreneur Sub-Category
This sub-category is for people who wish to invest in Saskatchewan by establishing, acquiring or partnering in a business in the province. You’re expected to take on an active management role in the business.
Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category
This sub-category is for experienced farmers with significant capital looking to invest in a farming operation and settle in Saskatchewan.
Application Fee: CAD 2,500
Processing Time: 14 weeks
Saskatchewan uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand sub-categories.
You must first register your EOI on the SINP Apply Online portal, where you will be asked to fill out a form.
To enter the EOI pool, you must score a minimum of 60 out of 110 points in the EOI Points Grid. The EOI Points Grid assesses you based on five factors:
- Education and training
- Skilled work experience
- Language ability
- Age and connections to the Saskatchewan labour market
- Adaptability
You will be invited to apply during an EOI draw if selected.
You can apply for a provincial nomination from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). You can do this through the same portal. If you have a job offer and are applying through the Employment Offer sub-category, you can apply directly without registering an EOI.
After your application is approved, you can apply for permanent residence directly to IRCC. If you’re applying through the Express Entry sub-category, Saskatchewan will enter your nomination details into the system. This means you will get an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which will effectively guarantee to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
The Entrepreneur Category has four steps. First, you must register your Expression of Interest to the SINP, and you will be given a point score. Those with the highest points are selected in each draw. If successful, you will be invited to apply. You must apply directly to the SINP through the SINP Apply Online system.
While your application is being assessed, you will be contacted for a final interview, after which you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to review and sign. You must email the BPA within 20 days. After submitting the BPA, you will receive your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter and a Temporary Work Permit Support letter.
The next step is to apply for a temporary work permit within three months, move to Saskatchewan, and establish your business. You must attend an arrival meeting within 18 months of the date on your SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter.
You must arrive in Saskatchewan within 18 months of receiving your first Temporary Work Permit Support letter.
After you transfer your funds to Canada, maintain legal status in Canada and run your business according to the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for at least six months, you can request provincial nomination. With a nomination, you can apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC.
You must first make sure you have all the required documents. Include your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and an employee in your current farming operation in your application. The SINP may contact you for clarification, additional documents, or an interview.
If your application is successful, you will receive two documents:
• Nomination Approval and Request for Approval Letter
• Business Performance Agreement (BPA).
The letter will explain how you can make the refundable CAD 75,000 Good Faith Deposit by wire transfer. It must be received within three months.
Once the payment is received, and you sign the BPA and send it back, you will receive a provincial nomination. With a nomination, you can then apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC.
Must be at least 21 years old
• Must have completed a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma that is at least two years in duration from a Saskatchewan-designated learning institution
• Must hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that is valid for at least two years
• Must have lived in Saskatchewan for the duration of their academic program
• Must meet the language requirement of CLB 7
The process is similar to the Entrepreneur Category. It also has four steps. First, you must register your Expression of Interest to the SINP, and you will be given a point score. Those with the highest points are selected in each draw. If successful, you will be selected and invited to apply. You must apply directly to the SINP through the SINP Apply Online system. You must also submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that corresponds to the information you submitted in your EOI.
You must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) if you pass this stage. It will be based on the BEP you submitted.
The next step is to actively operate your proposed business within the terms of the BPA. You must fulfill the BPA requirements before your PGWP expires. After the conditions of the BPA are met, you can apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. With a nomination, you can apply for permanent residency directly with IRCC.
FAQ for Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
The first step is to identify which category and sub-category you would be eligible for by checking the eligibility criteria for the category or categories you are interested in. Once you do this, you should check the application procedure for your chosen category.
In some cases, you will have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) as a “pre-application”. Based on the answers you give while submitting your EOI, you will be given a point score. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply through the SINP website.
In other cases, an EOI will not be required and you may be able to apply directly.
The Saskatchewan PNP has a reputation of being easy. This may be true depending on your situation.
For example, if you’re a skilled worker living abroad and you meet certain criteria, or you’re an existing work permit holder living in Saskatchewan, it may be easy to make permanently immigrate to Saskatchewan.
In addition, if you are looking to start a business, including a farm operation, Saskatchewan can be a good option if you meet certain criteria.
Processing times can vary.
The processing time for the International Skilled Worker Category varies depending on the sub-category. The Express Entry and Occupation in Demand subcategory can take over 30 weeks. For the Employment Offer subcategory, however, the processing time is just 4 weeks.
For the Saskatchewan Experience Category, processing times can be just 1-2 weeks. This is because candidates are likely already living in Saskatchewan.
The processing time for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category and the Entrepreneur and Farm Category is 14 weeks.
Step 1: Once a complete application is submitted along with all supporting documentation, the processing time for eligible applications can be up to three months or more.
Step 2: Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a permanent resident visa.
Within six months of receiving the nominee certificate, applicants are required to apply to IRCC in order to receive a permanent resident visa. Applicants, along with their spouse/common-law partner and dependents, if applicable, must meet all requirements for medical, security and criminal admissibility. IRCC has the final authority to issue a permanent resident visa.
Yes.
You do not need to have an Express Entry profile to immigrate to Saskatchewan, unless you are looking to immigrate through the Express Entry subcategory under the International Skilled Worker category.
To be eligible for the Occupation In-Demand subcategory, your occupation should NOT be on the province’s Excluded Occupation List.
Yes.
To learn about how to calculate the Saskatchewan PNP points according to the Points Assessment Grid, visit this webpage.
If you wish to immigrate to Saskatchewan, there are a few options to choose from, depending on your situation.
Skilled workers who live abroad and who wish to live and work in Saskatchewan may be eligible through the International Skilled Worker Category.
The Saskatchewan Experience Category targets foreign workers who are already in Saskatchewan such as work permit holders and international students. Under this category, there are dedicated sub-categories for work permit holders, students, health professionals, workers in the hospitality sector and long-haul truck drivers.
Entrepreneurs who wish to own and actively operate a business or a farming operation in Saskatchewan should immigrate through the Entrepreneur and Farm Category.
Finally, the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for international graduates of a post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan, who wish to start a business in the province.
If you are looking to immigrate to Saskatchewan through the International Skilled Worker category, you need to score at least 60 out of 110 in the Points Assessment Grid.
However, there are other additional requirements that you must meet, regarding your language skills, education, work experience, licensure, and settlement funds.
Learn more about the requirements on the International Skilled Worker category webpage.
Universities:
- University of Regina
- University of Saskatchewan
Colleges:
- Campion College
- Luther College
- St. Thomas More College
- The First Nations University of Canada
- St. Peter’s College
- Briercrest College & Seminary
- College of Emmanuel and St. Chad
- Horizon College & Seminary
- Lutheran Theological Seminary
- St. Andrew’s College