Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
The Saskatchewan PNP program is one of the oldest programs in Canada officially called the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program launched in 1998. It was launched to address the province’s economic and labor market needs through immigration.
The provincial initiative in Saskatchewan has been extremely successful. The SINP was used by seven out of every ten newcomers to the province. The province also has a high employment rate for newcomers, which is over 76%. Retention rates are likewise strong, with more than 85% of newcomers choosing to remain in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan is a popular choice for newcomers. The Saskatchewan PNP program is known for having a “easy PNP.” This could be due to the range of immigration alternatives available for immigration.
The Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination program (SINP) has several programs that include enhanced subcategories and many base subcategories. The enhanced subcategory is called the Saskatchewan Express Entry Program which comes under the international skilled worker category. This enhanced program is aligned with the express entry stream which the federal government is using to manage permanent resident applications through the three economic class immigration programs.
The Express Entry system assigns a point value to each candidate based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). During an Express Entry lottery, the top-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence.
If you receive a nomination from an enhanced provincial program, you will receive an additional 600 CRS points, almost assuring you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You will also receive your nomination through your Express Entry profile.
The bulk of Saskatchewan’s sub-categories are base streams. This means they are not compatible with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a provincial nomination must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
International Skilled Worker Category
The International Skilled Worker Category consists of four pathways:
Tech Talent Pathway
This category is only for those individuals who have a job offer from one of the Saskatchewan employers in one of the eligible 11 tech occupations.
Employment Offer
This sub-category is for those skilled workers who already have a job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan.
Occupations In Demand
This category is for highly skilled workers who have experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan. There is no job offer required under this subcategory.
Saskatchewan Express Entry
This sub-category is for candidates already in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool and have skilled work experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan.
Processing Time:
| Category | Average Processing Time |
|---|---|
Employment Offer | 4 weeks |
| Occupations In Demand | 35 weeks |
| Saskatchewan Express Entry | 37 weeks |
Minimum Requirements:
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tech Talent Pathway | Yes |
|
Employment Offer | Yes |
|
| Occupations In Demand | No |
|
| Saskatchewan Express Entry | No |
|
How it works:
For the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand subcategories, Saskatchewan uses an Expression of Interest (EOI).
To begin, you must register your EOI on the SINP Apply Online portal and fill out a form. The information on the form will be used to determine your eligibility.
To be eligible for the EOI pool, you must score at least 60 out of 110 points on the EOI Points Grid. The EOI Points Grid evaluates you on five criteria: education and training, skilled work experience, language competence, age and links to the Saskatchewan labor market, and flexibility.
If you are chosen, you will be invited to apply at an EOI draw.
You can now apply for a provincial nomination through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This is also possible through the same portal.
You can apply immediately without registering an EOI if you have a job offer and are applying under the Employment Offer sub-category.
After your application is approved by the SINP,, you can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residency. If you apply through the Express Entry subcategory, Saskatchewan will submit your nomination details into the system. This means you will receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, virtually ensuring that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Saskatchewan Experience Category
The Experience Category consists of six pathways:
Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit
This sub category is for those individuals who have a valid work permit and are already working in Saskatchewan from at least 6 months.
Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with an Existing Work Permit
This sub-category is for semi-skilled workers who have been working for more than six months with a valid work permit for the employer providing them a position, or who have previously worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months. They must also have a full-time permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan company as a General Farm Worker (NOC 8431) or Nursery and Greenhouse Worker (NOC 8432).
Health Professionals
This sub-category is for physicians, nurses or other health care workers who have worked for at least six months in Saskatchewan.
Hospitality Sector Project
This sub category is for food service professionals who have experience as food and beverage servers, food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, housekeepers, and cleaning in Saskatchewan. They must be living and working in the province for at least six months.
Long Haul Truck Driver Project
This subcategory is for long-haul truck drivers who have been working in an authorized trucking firm in Saskatchewan for at least six months.
Students
This sub-category is for students who graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada and worked in Saskatchewan for at least 24 months. Students who graduated from a Saskatchewan institution just need to have worked in the province for 6 months.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
This category is for international students who have graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan and intend to start a business in the province. To be eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residency, approved candidates must have operated and managed a business in Saskatchewan for at least a year.
Application Fee: None
Processing Time: 14 weeks
Minimum Requirements:
- Must hold a two-year full-time post-secondary degree or diploma from a Saskatchewan recognized learning institution.
- Must have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that is valid for at least two years.
- Must have lived in Saskatchewan throughout the entirety of their academic program;
- Must meet the CLB 7 language requirement.
How it works:
The procedure is similar to the one used in the Entrepreneur Category. There are four steps as well. To begin, you must submit an Expression of Interest to the SINP, after which you will be assigned a point score. In each draw, those with the most points are chosen.
If you are chosen, you will be asked to submit an application. After that, you must apply directly to the SINP through the SINP Apply Online system. A Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that corresponds to the material in your EOI must also be submitted.
If you pass this level, you will be required to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). This will be based on the BEP you submitted.
The following stage is to actively operate your planned business within the conditions of the BPA. You must complete the BPA requirements before your PGWP expires.
After meeting the requirements of the BPA, you can apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residency. With a nomination, you will be able to apply for permanent residency directly with IRCC.