Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program

Saskatchewan is land-locked and one of the prairie provinces of Western Canada. It is one of only two Canadian provinces without a saltwater coast. The economy is primarily based on agriculture and natural resources industries like forestry and fishing.

• The province provides one-third of the world’s potash and a fifth of the world’s uranium.
• Saskatchewan supplies more than a third of the world’s total exported durum wheat and is the world’s top exporter of lentils and dry peas.
• The province is sixth largest onshore producer in Canada and the United States.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a way to immigrate to Canada. Through the SINP, the Province of Saskatchewan invites residency applications from non-Canadians who want to make Saskatchewan their home and nominates successful applicants to the federal government for permanent residency in Canada.

International Skilled Worker

This category accepts applications from skilled workers in Canada & overseas who plan to live and work in Saskatchewan. Applicants are assessed based on a points-based system and can be nominated under one of three following sub-categories:

• International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer
• International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand
• International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry

International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer

This sub-category is for skilled workers having an offer of employment from a Saskatchewan employer. The job offer must be approved by the SINP before the application.

Eligibility requirements

• The candidate must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)point assessment grid.
• Work Experience: Must have at least one-year work experience in the past 10 years in intended occupation.
• Language: Must have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
• Licensing: Proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if the job offer is in an occupation that is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensing.
• Job Offer: Must have an offer of permanent and full-time employment in Saskatchewan. There is no specific list of jobs, however, job offer is required to be in an occupation in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Matrix level “A”, “B” or “0”, or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan.

International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand

This sub-category is for candidates who do not have a job offer in Saskatchewan but are highly skilled in an in-demand occupation. To apply for this sub-category, applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Candidates that are eligible will receive an invitation to submit the application. The points scores associated with an EOI profile will determine the likelihood of receiving an invitation.

Eligibility requirements

• Candidate must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid.
• Candidate must have a proof of legal status in Canada (if currently residing in Canada).
• Language: Must have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
• Candidate must have completed post-secondary education, training, or apprenticeship that is comparable to that in Canada.
  • For education outside of Canada, candidate must submit an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization.
  • Individuals who have completed trades or job training as part of their high school education must instead apply for Saskatchewan licensure Regulated Occupations and Licensing Requirements
• Work Experience:Candidate must have a minimum level of work experience related to their field of education or training in a skilled occupationNOC 0, A, or B) that is in-demand in Saskatchewan.
  • At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades); or
  • At least two years of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years; or
  • At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
  • The work experience must be in high skilled and not on the excluded occupation list.
• Candidate should be able to obtain proof of professional status or licensure (for regulated occupations or those with professional certification standards in Canada and/or Saskatchewan) if required by the SINP. If a proof of licensure is requested, the SINP will hold application processing until such proof is provided.
• Candidate must have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.

International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry

This sub-category is for candidates who are already in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool and have the necessary education, in-demand skilled work experience, language ability, and other factors to help them settle successfully and integrate into Saskatchewan’s labour market and communities.

To apply for this sub-category, applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Candidates that are eligible will receive an invitation to submit the application. The points scores associated with an EOI profile will determine the likelihood of receiving an invitation.

Eligibility requirements

• Candidate must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid.
• Candidate must have a proof of legal status in Canada (if currently residing in Canada).
• Candidate must have been accepted into IRCC’s Express Entry pool and have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code.
• Language: Must have a language test result that meets the federal Express Entry language requirements.
• Candidate must have completed post-secondary education, training, or apprenticeship that is comparable to that in Canada.
  • For education outside of Canada, candidate must submit an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization.
  • Individuals who have completed trades or job training as part of their high school education must instead apply forSaskatchewan licensure(Regulated Occupations and Licensing Requirements
• Work Experience:Candidate must have a minimum level of work experience related to their field of education or training in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) that is in-demand in Saskatchewan.
  • At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades); OR
  • At least two years of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years; OR
  • At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
  • The work experience must be in high skilled and not on the excluded occupation list.
• Candidate should be able to obtain proof of professional status or licensure (for regulated occupations or those with professional certification standards in Canada and/or Saskatchewan) if required by the SINP. If a proof of licensure is requested, the SINP will hold application processing until such proof is provided.
• Candidate must have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.

Saskatchewan Experience

This category is for foreign workers who are currently working and living in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit and wants to apply for permanent residency through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

Applicants are assessed based on a different criterion and can be nominated under one of three following sub-categories:

• Skilled worker with existing work permit
• Semi-skilled agriculture worker with existing work permit
• Health Professionals
• Hospitality Sector Project
• Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
• Students

Skilled worker with existing work permit

This sub-category is for candidates who have been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months under a valid work permit.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify under this stream, the candidate must:

• Have a valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) level 0, A, or B occupation, or in a designated trade.
• Have worked for at least six months for the employer offering the permanent job, under a valid work permit issued by IRCC:
  • The job offer must be for the same position that the candidate has been working in for the past six months.
• Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 if the job offer is in a NOC C occupation (designated trade)
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.
• Have proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if the occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensure.

Who cannot apply under Saskatchewan Experience – Skilled Worker with existing work permit sub-category?

• Refugee claimants in Canada who are claiming refugee status from the Government of Canada
• Health professionals (must apply to the SINP Health Professional sub-category
• Food and Beverage Servers/Persons (must apply under the Hospitality Sector Project sub-category)
• Graduates working on a Post-Graduate Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (must apply to the Saskatchewan Experience – Student sub-category or the International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer sub-category).
• Applicants who failed to submit documentation as requested by the SINP.
• Applicant’s who do not genuinely intend to live and work in Saskatchewan on a permanent basis.
• Applicant have intentionally misrepresented in the application.

Semi-skilled agriculture worker with existing work permit

This sub-category is for candidates who have been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months under a valid work permit. To qualify under this stream, the candidate must:

• Have a permanent full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. The job is required to be in the following National Occupation Classification(NOC) occupations:
  • NOC 8431: General Farm Worker
  • NOC 8432: Nursery and Greenhouse Worker
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.
• Have worked for more than six months for the employer offering the job, with a valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The permanent, full-time job offer must be for the same position that candidate have been working in for the past six months.
  • The SINP is piloting criteria changes over 2019-2021 for specific semi-skilled occupations. If candidate is not currently working in Saskatchewan, he/she could apply if they previously worked in Saskatchewan for a minimum of six months as a General Farm Worker or Nursery and Greenhouse Worker.
  • The work permit must be for one of the following programs:
    Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program
    International Experience Canada
    Temporary Foreign Worker Program
• Have completed the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school education (high school) or above, as demonstrated by a valid educational credential assessment
• Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 if job offer is in a NOC ‘C’ occupation.

Who cannot apply through the Saskatchewan Experience – Agriculture Worker with existing worker permit sub-category?

• Refugee claimants in Canada who are claiming refugee status from the Government of Canada.
• Graduates working on a Post-Graduate Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (must apply to the Saskatchewan Experience – Student sub-category or the International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer sub-category).
• Applicants who failed to submit documentation as requested by the SINP.
• Applicant’s who do not genuinely intend to live and work in Saskatchewan on a permanent basis.
• Applicant have intentionally misrepresented in the application.

Health professionals

This sub-category is for candidates who have been working full-time in Saskatchewan on a temporary work permit as either a physician, nurse, or other health professional for a minimum of six months and have received an offer of employment for that position. The job offer must be approved by the SINP before the application. To have the position assessed, the Saskatchewan employer must register on the SINP Employer website. Once the position is approved, the employer will receive a job approval letter, a copy of which must be submitted with the candidate’s application to the SINP.

Requirements for Physicians:

To qualify under this stream, the candidate must:

• Have a valid work permit issued by IRCC.
• Have been practicing as a physician in Saskatchewan for at least six months.
• Have an offer of permanent, full-time employment that is:.
  • Issued by a provincial health authority or the health education institution where they are currently employed; and/or
  • Verified with documents that describe their permanent arrangement to practice medicine in a Saskatchewan medical office.
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.
• Have a letter of support from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CoPSS) that states the candidate’s type of license, license expiry date, and their support for the candidate to obtain permanent residence status in Saskatchewan.
  • If applicable, the candidate will also require a letter from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada indicating that he/she has licensing in a particular specialty.

Requirements for Nurses

To qualify under this stream, the candidate must:

• Have a valid work permit issued by IRCC.
• Have been practicing as a nurse in Saskatchewan for six months or more.
• Have an offer of permanent, full-time employment issued by a Saskatchewan Regional Health Authority the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency or another publicly funded health employer; and
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.

Requirements for Other Health Professions

To qualify under this stream, the candidate must:

• Have completed a post-secondary training course of at least one academic year, related to their intended health occupation.
• Have a valid work permit issued by IRCC.
• Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) level 0, A, B, or C health occupation.
• Have worked for the employer offering the job, in the same job position, for a minimum of six months.
• Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 if the job offer is in a NOC C occupation.
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.
• Have proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if the occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensure.

Hospitality Sector Project

This sub-category is for temporary foreign workers who have been working in Saskatchewan for an SINP-approved employer for at least six months on a valid work permit in one of the following occupations:

• Food/Beverage Server(NOC 6513)
• Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6711)
• Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6731)

Candidates must have a full-time & permanent job offer from their employer that is approved by the SINP prior to making an application. The Saskatchewan employer must register on the SINP Employer website prior assessment.

To qualify under this sub-category, the candidate must:

• Hold a valid work permit in NOC 6513, 6711 or 6731.
• Be employed in Saskatchewan for six months or more, working for an approved Saskatchewan hospitality employer.
• Have an offer of permanent, full-time employment from an approved Saskatchewan hospitality employer.
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.
• Have completed, at minimum, a high school education (or its equivalent).
• Demonstrate language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher across all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

Long-Haul Truck Drivers

This sub-category allows trucking firms to bring long-haul truck drivers to Saskatchewan. To qualify for this project, long-haul truck drivers:

• Must begin working for an approved trucking firm in Saskatchewan on a temporary foreign work permit.
• If an approved trucking firm offers permanent employment, the trucker may apply to the SINP for permanent resident status after at least six months employment.

To apply for SINP nomination through this sub-category, candidate must:

• Be working for an SINP-approved Saskatchewan trucking firm for at least six months on a temporary work permit. The permit must be issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Service Canada.
• Have a current Saskatchewan Class 1A driver’s licence.
• Have an offer of full-time, permanent employment from an employer which must be an approved trucking firm in Saskatchewan.
• Have at least Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 4 or higher English language ability in all four categories (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.

Students

This sub-category is for recently graduated students from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada and have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.

Minimum Requirements for students who have graduated from a Saskatchewan institute

To apply for SINP nomination through this sub-category, candidate must:

• Have graduated with a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Saskatchewan. The study program must have been equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study.
• Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in field of study.
• Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 (if the job offer is in a NOC level C occupation).
• Have a minimum of six months (780 hours) of paid work experience in Saskatchewan. Eligible types of work experience in Saskatchewan include on-campus, off-campus, co-op terms, graduate fellowships that can be verified by the institution, and work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit (PGWP).
• Have a valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from IRCC.
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.

Minimum Requirements for students who have graduated from an institute in Canada

To apply for SINP nomination through this sub-category, candidate must:

• Have graduated with a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada (outside of Saskatchewan). The study program must have been equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study.
• Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in field of study.
• Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 (if the job offer is in a NOC level C occupation).
• Have a minimum of six months (780 hours) of paid work experience in Saskatchewan in a position related to field of study. Eligible types of work experience in Saskatchewan include work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit (PGWP).
• Have a valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from IRCC.
• Have a valid SINP job approval letter.

Entrepreneur and Farm Category

This category is for individuals who wish to establish, acquire, or partner in a business in Saskatchewan by having an active involvement in the management. The category operates under 3 sub-categories as follows:

• Entrepreneur Category
• Farm Owners and Operators – Young Farmer Stream
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

Entrepreneur Category

To be considered eligible under the entrepreneur category, applicants must:

• Have a minimum net worth of $500,000 (CAD) verified by a Ministry-approved professional third party (KPMG & MNP Ltd.).
• Have at least three years of entrepreneurial experience within the past 10 years.
• Have a minimum equity investment of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina or Saskatoon, or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in any other Saskatchewan community.
• Have and be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of their Business Establishment Plan (BEP).
• Own at least one-third (33.33 %) of the equity of a business in Saskatchewan unless their total investment is $1,000,000 (CAD) or higher.
• Create or maintain a minimum of 2 jobs for Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents in Saskatchewan (non-relative workers) if establishing a new business in Saskatoon or Regina.
• If purchasing an existing business in Saskatoon or Regina, the applicant must maintain the business’ staffing complement (the number of Canadian or permanent resident workers) in place at the time of purchase.
• Reside in Saskatchewan with their dependent family members.
• Sign a business performance agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan, which will be provided by the SINP after the application is approved.

Minimum requirements for businesses

For a business to be considered eligible under this category, all the following criteria must be met:

• The business must have the potential for creating economic benefit to Saskatchewan.
• The business can be a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation.
• The business must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services.
• The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under Canadian Income Tax Regulations.

Additional requirements for business succession

If purchasing a previously existing Saskatchewan business, the following requirements must be met:

• The business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner for the past three years.
• The applicant must complete an exploratory visit to meet the previous owner(s).
• There must be a complete change in ownership where the applicant assumes full control of the business.
• The applicant must commit to maintaining employment for existing Canadian citizens or permanent residents above the minimum required, as well as maintaining existing wages and employment terms.

If purchasing a previously existing Saskatchewan business from an SINP entrepreneur nominee, the following requirements must be met:

• The business must have been in continuous operation by the previous owner for at least three years.
• The business must demonstrate a net profit for at least two of the previous three years.
• The previous owner must be either a Permanent Resident or a Canadian Citizen.
• The applicant must complete an exploratory visit to meet the current owner(s).
• There must be a complete change in ownership where the applicant assumed full control of the business.
• The applicant must commit to maintaining employment for existing Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

The Process

There are four steps to the nomination process:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP
2. EOI Selection and Invitation to submit the application
   • Candidates’ EOIs are selected based on their points score with those with the highest points selected during each draw. The number selected is dependent on program requirements (e.g. application inventory).
   • After candidates are invited to apply, applications are processed in the order that they are received.
3. Business Establishment
4. Nomination

The SINP does not provide priority processing or preferential treatment for any applications, and all applicants must meet all program requirements. The SINP does not endorse or support any Saskatchewan-based companies or projects.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) System

The EOI is not an application; it is an expression of an applicant’s interest in the SINP. Prospective immigrants will indicate their interest in operating a business and living in Saskatchewan by providing required information about their entrepreneurial experience, assets, and Business Establishment Plan (BEP), among other factors.

• Candidates who meet the minimum entry eligibility criteria will be accepted into the EOI candidate pool.
• Once submitted, EOIs are scored and ranked using the Points Grid.

Who is not eligible to apply under the Entrepreneur Category?

• Refugee claimants in Canada.
• Applicants living illegally in their country of residence or in Canada.
• Applicants have had a removal order issued against them by IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency.
• Applicants are prohibited from entering Canada.
• Applicants or any dependent family member, accompanying or not have a serious medical condition.
• Applicants or any dependent family member, accompanying or not, over the age of 18 have a criminal record.
• Have unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any member of their family.
• Have intentionally misrepresented themselves in their application.

The following types of businesses are considered ineligible for the SINP Entrepreneur Category:

• Property rental, investment, and leasing activities.
• Real estate construction/development/brokerage, insurance brokerage, or business brokerage.
• Professional services or self-employed business operators requiring licensing or accreditation.
• Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing, and cash machines.
• Credit unions.
• Home-based businesses, including bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses.
• Co-operatives.
• Investments into a business operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income.
• Business located in a multi-business retail/condo/location/project or business incubator that is not completed/operational, and/or is targeted or dependant on investment or business operations by SINP entrepreneurs for the development, completion or ongoing operation of the project.

Farm Owners and Operators – Young Farmer Stream

The Young Farmer stream of the farm owners and operator’s category allow young farm families to establish their lives and farming operations in rural areas of Saskatchewan.

To be considered eligible under the Farm Owners and Operators – Young Farmer Stream, applicants must:

• Have a personal net worth of at least $300,000 (CAD).
• Be under the age of 40 at the time of the application.
• Have at least three years experience in farm ownership, farm management or practical farming experience.
• Provide a documented proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity. The proposal should be based on research, consultations, or formal coursework relevant to Saskatchewan agricultural conditions. Hobby farms do not qualify. Also, the farming proposal should be a commercial project with a reasonable expectation of profit. In Saskatchewan, a qualified farming business must have a minimum of $10,000 (CAD) annual revenue.
• Have marketable employment skills, based on education and experience that allows to supplement farming income.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

International graduates from Saskatchewan educational institutions who wish to establish, acquire, or partner in an eligible business in the province may apply for Canadian permanent residence through this category. The applicant must be an international graduate from Saskatchewan educational institution and have a post-secondary degree/diploma of at least two years in length.

There are four steps to the application and nomination process:

Step 1. Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the SINP: Candidates can show interest in nomination for Permanent Residence as an International Graduate Entrepreneur by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Step 2. Invitation to Apply: Candidates are selected from the EOI system. Selections are made based on their score on the points criteria grid. Top scores will be invited to apply.

Step 3. Business Establishment: Approved applicants on a valid post-graduate work permit (PGWP) must operate their proposed business.

Step 4. Nomination: Once an applicant fulfills the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA), they can apply to be nominated by the SINP for permanent residency.
Program requirements

To be considered eligible under the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category, applicants must:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Have completed a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma of at least two years from an eligible Saskatchewan institution.
• Have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit, with at least 24 months remaining.
• Have lived in Saskatchewan during their academic program (no distance-learning programs or accelerated academic program are eligible).
• Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7.

Those chosen from the EOI pool, invited to apply, and approved by the SINP must:

• Reside in Saskatchewan.
• Actively own and operate a business in Saskatchewan for at least one year prior to applying.
• Own at least one-third (33%) of the business and take part in the day-to-day management. Ownership must be the result of a verifiable investment made directly by the applicant, either from their own equity or from an eligible source.
• Demonstrate that the business is generating the minimum required revenue amount after one year of operation.
• Sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) with the Government of Saskatchewan.