Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program: Saskatchewan has one of the fastest-growing economies and communities in the country. This is mostly because people from all over the world are moving there.
Saskatchewan is one of Western Canada’s Prairie states. Its economy is mostly based on farming and businesses that use natural resources, like forestry and fishing. It has two big towns, Saskatoon and Regina, and a lot of untouched wilderness.
When it comes to immigration, Saskatchewan does very well. Every year, between 3,000 and 4,000 new people moved to the province. Now, that number is up to 15,000. The fact that Saskatchewan has just over 1 million people makes this even more amazing. The state is one of the most popular places for people to move to in Canada.
The Saskatchewan PNP in brief
Officially called the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), the Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program started in 1998.
It started so that immigration to the province could help meet economic and job market needs. The regional program in Saskatchewan has done very well. Seven of every ten people who moved to the area did so through the SINP.
The province also has a high rate of work for newcomers, which is about 76%. Over 85% of newcomers choose to stay in Saskatchewan, so the retention rate is also good.
Saskatchewan is a popular place for people to move to. People say that the Saskatchewan PNP program is an “easy PNP.” This could be because it gives people who want to move there a lot of different ways to do so.
Saskatchewan has many base sub-categories and one that is “enhanced.” The International Skilled Worker Category has a sub-category called “Saskatchewan Express Entry” for people who want to work in Saskatchewan.
When a sub-category is “enhanced,” it means that it is in line with the Express Entry system. Express Entry is the system that the federal government uses to handle applications for permanent residence through the country’s three main economic class immigration programs.
Based on the Comprehensive Ranking method (CRS), the Express Entry method gives each candidate a point score. During an Express Entry draw, the top candidates are asked to apply for permanent residency.
If you get a nomination from an improved provincial program, you get an extra 600 CRS points. This almost guarantees that you will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Your suggestion is also part of your Express Entry profile.
Most of the sub-categories in Saskatchewan are base streams. This means that they are not in sync with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a province nomination must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Streams of Immigration to Saskatchewan:
If you want to move to Saskatchewan, you can do one of these four things:
- International Skilled Worker Category: This category is for skilled workers from other countries who want to live and work in Saskatchewan.
- Saskatchewan Experience Category: The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign workers who already live and work in Saskatchewan. This includes people with current work permits and international grads.
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category: The Entrepreneur and Farm Category is for people in Saskatchewan who want to own and run their own business or farm.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: The foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for foreign students who plan to start a business in Saskatchewan after they graduate from a post-secondary school that meets certain requirements.
International Skilled Worker Category
There are four ways to get into the International Skilled Worker Category:
Pathway for Tech Talent
This sub-category is for highly skilled workers who have been offered a job in one of 11 tech jobs by a Saskatchewan company. Find out more.
Offer of a job
This sub-category is for skilled workers who have been offered a job by a company in Saskatchewan.
Occupations In Demand
This subcategory is for people who have a lot of experience in a job that is in demand in Saskatchewan but don’t have a job offer in the state yet.
Express Entry Saskatchewan
This subcategory is for people who are already in the Express Entry pool of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and have skilled work experience in a job that is in demand in Saskatchewan.
Application Fees: CAD 350.
Time to process:
| Category | Average Processing Time |
| Employment Offer | 4 weeks |
| Occupations In Demand | 35 weeks |
| Saskatchewan Express Entry | 37 weeks |
Minimum requirements:
- Legal status proof if you’re living in Canada;
- Get at least 60 out of 110 points on the point-scoring grid.
| Sub-Category | Is a job offer required? | Additional Requirements |
| Tech Talent Pathway | Yes | Meet the language requirements (CLB 4); Have at least one year of study or training after high school; Have at least a certain amount of work experience in a skilled job that is in demand and linked to your education or training; If Saskatchewan asks for it, get proof that you are a professional or that you have a license; Prepare yourself financially and practically for life in the area. |
| Employment Offer | Yes | Meet language requirements (CLB 4); Have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan company for a job that qualifies, and meet any licensing requirements, if needed; Have worked at least one year for pay in the job you want to get in the last ten years. |
| Occupations In Demand | No | Be in the Express Entry pool and have a Job Seeker Validation Code and an Express Entry Profile Number; Meet language standardsHave at least one year of training or schooling after high school;Have a certain amount of work experience in a skilled job that is in high demand that is connected to your education or training;If the SINP asks for it, get proof that you are a professional or that you have a license.If your work experience is in a skilled trade, you should have a proof of qualification in that trade.Have enough money to live in the area and a plan for how you will live there. |
| Saskatchewan Express Entry | No | Be in the Express Entry pool and have a Job Seeker Validation Code and an Express Entry Profile Number; Meet language standards have at least one year of training or schooling after high school;Have a certain amount of work experience in a skilled job that is in high demand that is connected to your education or training;If the SINP asks for it, get proof that you are a professional or that you have a license.If your work experience is in a skilled trade, you should have a proof of qualification in that trade.Have enough money to live in the area and a plan for how you will live there. |
How it works:
The province of Saskatchewan requires an EOI for the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand streams.
Submit an Expression of Interest through the SINP Apply Online portal. There, you will be asked to fill out a form. The questions you answer on the form will be used to decide if you are eligible.
You must get at least 60 out of a possible 110 points on the EOI Points Grid in order to get into the EOI group. The EOI Points Grid looks at your education and training, skilled work experience, language skills, age, links to the Saskatchewan job market, and how flexible you are.
During an EOI draw, if you are chosen, you will get a request to apply.
At this point, you can use the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) to ask for a province nomination. You can do both of these things in the same place.
If you’re applying through the Employment Offer sub-category and already have a job offer, you don’t need to register an EOI. You can apply straight.
After your application is accepted, you can go straight to IRCC and ask to become a permanent resident. If you apply through the Express Entry sub-category, Saskatchewan will put your name information into the system. This means you will get 600 more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which will make it almost certain that you will get an offer to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
The Saskatchewan Experience Category
There are six paths in the Experience Category:
Skilled Worker Who Already Has a Work Permit
Workers with valid work permits who have been employed in Saskatchewan for a minimum of six months fall into this group.
Farm worker with some skills and an existing work permit
This subcategory is for semi-skilled workers who have been working for the employer giving them a job for more than six months with a valid work permit or who have previous job experience of six months or more in Saskatchewan.
They must also have a full-time, stable job offer as a General Farm Worker (NOC 8431) or Nursery and Greenhouse Worker (NOC 8432) from an employer in Saskatchewan.
Health Care Workers
This section is for doctors, nurses, and other health care workers who have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months.
Projects in the Hospitality Sector
This subcategory is for people in Saskatchewan who serve food and drinks, work behind the food bar, help in the kitchen, or do housekeeping and cleaning. They must have worked in the province for at least six months.
Project for Long-Distance Truck Drivers
This subcategory is for people who have worked for at least six months at an approved trucking company in Saskatchewan.
Students
Students who have completed their post-secondary education elsewhere in Canada and who have worked in Saskatchewan for at least 24 months fall into this category. Students who went to school in Saskatchewan only have to have worked there for 6 months.
There is no fee to apply.
Time to process: 1-2 weeks
Minimum Requirements:
| Category | Is a job offer required? | Minimum Requirements |
| Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit | Yes | Have a legal work permit, Be offered a full-time, permanent job in a job that qualifies,Have worked for the company offering the steady job for at least six months,Meet the CLB 4 language level.Have a current SINP Job Approval Letter and, if needed, proof that you can get a license |
| Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit | Yes | Have worked for the company offering the job for more than six months with a legal work permit, or have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months in the past.Have a full-time, permanent job offer in one of the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) occupations from a company in Saskatchewan:NOC 8431: General Farm WorkerNOC 8432: Worker in a nursery or a greenhouseMeet the other sub-category rules. |
| Health Professionals | Yes | Doctors, nurses, and other health workers all have different requirements. But in general, the candidate must have a valid work permit, a valid SINP Job Approval Letter, an offer of a permanent, full-time job, and meet other standards. |
| Hospitality Sector Project | Yes | Possess a current and active NOC for Food and Beverage Server (6453), Food Counter Attendant (6641), or Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (6661).,Be working for an approved company in Saskatchewan for at least six months;Have a full-time, stable job offer from a company that has been approved;Have a current SINP Job Approval Letter; Have at least a high school education; Meet the language requirements of CLB 4. |
| Long Haul Truck Driver Project | Yes | Have a valid work permit and have worked for an approved trucking company for at least six months,Have a valid Class 1A driver’s license from Saskatchewan,Have an offer of a full-time, stable job from their boss,Have a current SINP Job Approval Letter and meet the language requirements of CLB 4. |
| Students | Yes | Have a certificate, license, or degree from a school outside of Saskatchewan or in Saskatchewan,Meet the CLB 4 language level.Have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months,Have a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP),Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan company in an eligible occupation in their field of study,Have a current Job Approval Letter from the SINP. |
How it works:
First, you have to figure out if you fit into one of the subcategories. You can apply at SINP Apply Online when you’re ready.
Fill out your application, upload all of the necessary documents in PDF format, and hit “submit.” After you do this, you’ll get an email letting you know that your application was sent.
Saskatchewan will then look over your application and decide what to do. If you do well, you will get a recommendation from the province. Then, you can use this suggestion to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Entrepreneurship and Farming
Entrepreneur Sub-Category
This subcategory is for people who want to invest in Saskatchewan by starting a business there, buying a business there, or becoming a partner in a business there. You are supposed to be involved in running the business.
The people who own and run farms Sub-Category
This sub-category is for experienced farmers with a lot of money who want to move to Saskatchewan and start a farming business.
Application fee: $2,500 CAD.
Time to process: 14 weeks
Minimum requirements:
- You must have a net worth of at least $500,000 CAD (or $300,000 through the Young Farmer Stream), and
- At least 80% of it must have come from legal sources.
| Sub-Category | Additional Requirements |
| Entrepreneur Sub-Category | Must have been an entrepreneur for at least three years in the last ten years,Must own at least $200,000 CAD worth of equity in another Saskatchewan city, or $300,000 CAD in Regina or Saskatoon.Have a Business Establishment Plan (BEP);Must own at least one-third of the stock of a business in Saskatchewan (unless their total investment is $1,000,000 CAD or more);Must create or keep at least two jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Saskatchewan (if the business is in Regina or Saskatoon).When you buy a business in Saskatoon or Regina, you have to keep the same number of Canadian or permanent resident employees as when you bought the business.You and your family must live in Saskatchewan,After the application is accepted, the SINP will give you a business performance agreement to sign with the Government of Saskatchewan.The business needs to meet more standards. |
| Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category | Must have the right information and experience to run a farm,Must have a well-thought-out plan for a commercial farming chance in Saskatchewan.There are more rules for the Young Farmer Stream:Must have at least three years of experience owning a farm, running a farm, or working on a farm.Must be able to add to your income from farming with your spouse’s or common-law partner’s marketable job skills, based on schooling and experience. |
How the Entrepreneur Sub-Category works: There are four steps in the Entrepreneur Category. First, you must enter your Expression of Interest with the SINP, and you will be given a point score. In each draw, the people with the most points are chosen.
If you are chosen, you will be asked to fill out an application. Then, you will have to use the SINP Apply Online system to send a direct entry to the SINP.
While your application is being reviewed, you will be called for a final interview. After that, you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to read and sign. You have 20 days to send an email to the BPA. You will get your SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter and a Temporary Work Permit Support letter after you send in the BPA.
Moving to Saskatchewan and establishing a business there within three months after applying for a temporary work permit is the next stage. You have 18 months from the date on your SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter to attend an arrival meeting.
You have 18 months from the time you get your first Temporary Work Permit Support letter to get to Saskatchewan.
You can ask for provincial nomination after you have moved your money to Canada, kept your legal standing in Canada, and run your business according to the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for at least six months. With a recommendation, you can go straight to IRCC and ask to become a permanent resident.
How the Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category works: First, make sure you have all the necessary documents. Include your husband or common-law partner, any children who depend on you, and a farm worker who works for you now.
Send an email to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca with your application.
The SINP may get in touch with you if they need more information, explanation, or an interview.
If your application is accepted, you will get two documents:
- “Nomination Approval” letter and
- “Request for Approval” letter.
The letter will tell you how to wire send the CAD $75,000 Good Faith Deposit, which is refundable. It needs to get there in three months.
After the payment is made and the BPA is signed and sent back, you will get a provincial nomination.
With a suggestion, you can then go straight to IRCC and ask to become a permanent resident.
Category for International Graduate Entrepreneurs
This category is for foreign graduates of eligible Saskatchewan post-secondary schools who want to start their own business. To get a provincial nomination for permanent residence, candidates who have been approved must run and handle a business in Saskatchewan for at least a year.
This category is for foreign students who plan to start a business in Saskatchewan after they graduate from a post-secondary school that meets certain requirements. To get a provincial nomination for permanent residence, approved candidates will have to run and handle a business in Saskatchewan for at least a year.
There is no fee to apply.
Time to process: 14 weeks
Minimum requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years old,
- Must have a degree or diploma from a Saskatchewan-approved post-secondary school that took at least two years to earn full-time.
- Must have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that is good for at least two years,
- Student must have maintained a Saskatchewan residence throughout their degree program.
- Must meet the language standard of CLB 7.
How does this program work?
It’s a lot like the Entrepreneur Category. It has four steps as well. First, you must enter your Expression of Interest with the SINP, and you will be given a point score. In each draw, the people with the most points are chosen.
If you are chosen, you will be asked to fill out an application. Then, you will have to use the SINP Apply Online system to send a direct entry to the SINP. You also have to send in a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that matches the information you put in your Expression of Interest (EOI).
If you make it this far, you will have to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA), which is based on the BEP you filed.
The next step is to start running your planned business according to the BPA. Before your PGWP ends, you must meet the BPA standards.
After you’ve met the requirements of the BPA, you can ask for a permanent residence nomination from the province. With a recommendation, you can go straight to IRCC and ask to become a permanent resident.
Questions People Usually Ask on Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
1. What do I need to do to move to Saskatchewan?
The first step is to find out which category and subcategory you would be qualified for by looking at the eligibility requirements for the category or categories you are interested in. After that, you should look at the application process for the category you picked.
In some cases, you will need to send a “pre-application” called an Expression of Interest (EOI). You will get a point score based on the answers you give when you send in your EOI. Those with the best scores are asked to apply through the SINP website.
In other situations, you may not need an EOI and be able to apply right away.
2. Is it easy to apply for the Saskatchewan PNP?
People think that the Saskatchewan PNP is easy. Depending on your position, this may be true.
For example, if you are a skilled worker living abroad and you meet certain requirements, or if you already live in Saskatchewan and have a work permit, it may be easy for you to move there for good.
Saskatchewan can also be a good choice if you want to start a business, like a farm, as long as you meet certain requirements.
3. How lengthy is the Saskatchewan PNP application process?
Process times can be different.
The International Skilled Worker Category has different working times for each subcategory. It can take more than 30 weeks for the Express Entry and Occupation in Demand subcategories. For the Employment Offer section, on the other hand, it only takes 4 weeks to process.
For the Saskatchewan Experience Category, it can take just one to two weeks to finish. This is because most applicants live in Saskatchewan already.
The Entrepreneur and Farm Category and the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category both take 14 weeks to process.
4. Can I move to Saskatchewan without Express Entry?
Yes.
If you want to move to Saskatchewan, you don’t need an Express Entry profile unless you want to move through the Express Entry subcategory of the International Skilled Worker group.
5. Who can apply for the PNP in Saskatchewan?
If you want to move to Saskatchewan, you can do so in a few different ways, based on your situation.
Through the International Skilled Worker Category, skilled people who live outside of Saskatchewan but want to live and work there may be able to do so.
The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign workers who are already in Saskatchewan, like those with work permits or who are studying there. Under this area, there are sub-categories for people with work permits, students, health professionals, people who work in the hospitality industry, and people who drive long-haul trucks.
Entrepreneurs who want to live in Saskatchewan and own and run a business or farm should use the Entrepreneur and Farm Category to move there.
Lastly, the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for international graduates of a post-secondary school in Saskatchewan who want to start a business in the state.
6. Is score of over 60 in the SINP enough?
If you want to move to Saskatchewan as an International Skilled Worker, you need to get at least 60 points out of a possible 110 on the Points Assessment Grid.
But you must also meet other standards about your language skills, your education, your work experience, your license, and your settlement funds.
Summary:
- SINP began in 1998
- Rapid economic and population growth
- Various opportunities for immigrants
- Skilled Worker Streams
- Entrepreneurship and Farming
- Experienced foreign workers, including health care professionals, students, and long-haul truck drivers
