Saskatchewan Immigrant
Nominee Program
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a provincial immigration pathway that enables the province of Saskatchewan to nominate qualified foreign nationals for Canadian Permanent Residence. The program is designed to attract skilled workers, graduates, entrepreneurs, and individuals with experience that aligns with Saskatchewan’s labor market and economic priorities.
Through SINP, the province can invite non-Canadians who wish to settle permanently in Saskatchewan and nominate successful applicants to the Government of Canada for final PR approval. Once a provincial nomination is granted, the applicant must submit a Permanent Residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which conducts federal-level assessments related to health, security, and admissibility.
Saskatchewan PNP Immigration Categories
The SINP operates through three main immigration categories, each targeting a specific group of applicants based on their skills, experience, or business background.
Each category includes multiple sub-streams to accommodate applicants from diverse professional and personal backgrounds.
- •The International Skilled Worker Category is intended for skilled foreign workers who may or may not be working in Saskatchewan but possess experience in occupations needed by the province.
- •The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign nationals who are already living and working in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit.
- •The Saskatchewan Business Immigration Category is designed for entrepreneurs, international graduates, and farm owners who wish to establish or operate a business in the province.
International Skilled Worker Category
This category targets skilled professionals who can immediately contribute to Saskatchewan’s workforce. It includes three primary sub-streams: Saskatchewan Employment Offer, Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand, and Saskatchewan Express Entry. Two of these streams - Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry—operate under an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category
This sub-stream aligns with Canada’s Express Entry for skilled workers wishing to live and work in Saskatchewan.
To qualify, applicants need a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code, scoring at least 60 points on the SINP assessment grid. They must also provide valid language test results and have completed at least one year of post-secondary education equivalent to Canadian standards, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment.
Candidates must have work experience in a high-skilled occupation under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, and the occupation should not be on Saskatchewan’s exclusion list. If regulated, the applicant must obtain the necessary Saskatchewan licensure. Settlement funds and a plan are also required.
Saskatchewan Employment Offer Sub-Category
This pathway is for skilled workers who have received a valid, full-time job offer from an approved Saskatchewan employer in an eligible skilled occupation. Applicants may apply from within Canada or from outside the country. Those applying from within Canada must demonstrate legal immigration status. The job offer must meet provincial wage and employment standards.
Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand Sub-Category
This stream is designed for skilled workers who do not have a job offer but have experience in occupations that are currently in demand in Saskatchewan. Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of relevant work experience in an eligible occupation. SINP maintains a list of excluded occupations, and candidates whose work experience falls under those occupations are not eligible for this stream. Both in-Canada and overseas applicants may apply.
Saskatchewan Experience Category
The Saskatchewan Experience Category is tailored for individuals who are already contributing to the province’s economy through local employment.
Experience Category Details
Skilled workers with a valid work permit can apply if they have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months and have a job offer from a provincial employer. Semi-skilled agricultural workers with a similar work history may also qualify. Health professionals, including physicians and nurses, are eligible if they have six months of experience in Saskatchewan and hold a valid temporary work permit. Additionally, foreign workers in eligible hospitality roles for at least six months can apply under the Hospitality Sector Pilot.
Long-haul truck drivers with a valid work permit in Saskatchewan can apply through a specific sub-stream. International students who have graduated from recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada or Saskatchewan may qualify under the Saskatchewan Student Stream, provided they meet the necessary employment and residency criteria.
Saskatchewan Business Immigration Category
The Business Immigration Category is intended for individuals who wish to invest in and actively manage a business in Saskatchewan.
The Entrepreneur Sub-Category
allows applicants to establish, purchase, or partner in a business within the province. The process involves submitting an Expression of Interest, receiving an invitation to apply, and obtaining provincial nomination. Successful applicants initially enter Canada on a temporary work permit and become eligible for nomination after operating their business in Saskatchewan for at least six months
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Sub-Category
The International Graduate Entrepreneur Sub-Category is designed for international students who graduate from Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions and wish to start or operate a business in the province.
The Farm Owner and Operator Sub-Category
The Farm Owner and Operator Sub-Category is designed for experienced farmers with significant capital who intend to purchase and operate a farm in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan PNP Draws
Saskatchewan conducts regular SINP draws to invite candidates whose profiles align with the province’s economic and labor market needs. Through these draws, the province selects candidates from the Express Entry pool or EOI system and issues invitations to apply for provincial nomination.
SINP Points Assessment System
The SINP uses a points-based assessment grid to evaluate eligibility and rank candidates under the Expression of Interest system. The maximum score available is 110 points, and applicants must secure at least 60 points to be eligible.
Points are awarded based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Applicants must submit supporting documentation to substantiate all claimed points. When multiple candidates have the same score, Saskatchewan may prioritize applicants with provincial connections such as previous work or study experience, close family ties, higher language proficiency, or longer work experience.
Key SINP Selection Factors Explained
Applicants should generally be under 50 years old when applying, with maximum points for those in the prime working-age range. Educational qualifications from recognized institutions are evaluated, with advanced degrees, trade certifications, and longer post-secondary programs earning more points.
Work experience is assessed based on relevance, duration, and recency, with the highest value given to recent skilled work directly related to the nominated occupation. Language proficiency is measured through approved English or French tests, where higher Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores yield more points. While not mandatory, adaptability factors like having family in Saskatchewan, prior work experience in the province, or studying at a Saskatchewan institution can significantly enhance an application.
In-Demand Occupations in Saskatchewan
To qualify under SINP’s skilled worker streams, applicants must have recent work experience in a high-skilled occupation that aligns with Saskatchewan’s labor market needs. Occupations listed on the province’s Excluded Occupation List are not eligible. Saskatchewan regularly updates its demand lists to reflect workforce shortages and economic priorities.
