Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program(SINP)
Saskatchewan is one of the prairie provinces of Western Canada, It has a vibrant art and culture scene, scenic provincial parks and plenty of sports and recreation opportunities. Known as the birthplace of Medicare, its residents enjoy free medical care and excellent health care services. It boasts two major cities, Saskatoon and Regina, as well as vast expanses of pristine wilderness. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture and important natural resources industries like forestry and fishing.
With a record of economic growth, an increasing population and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, Saskatchewan is a province of opportunity.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers you a way to immigrate to Canada. Through the SINP, Saskatchewan:
The SINP accepts applications under the following categories:
- International Skilled Worker Category
- Saskatchewan Experience Category
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category
International Skilled Worker Category: -
Through this category, the SINP can nominate skilled workers who want to live and work in Saskatchewan. You'll need to meet the SINP criteria and have factors that will help you settle successfully in Saskatchewan.
International Skilled Worker – Employment offers
This is a sub category for skilled workers who have job offers for a skilled occupation in Saskatchewan
Eligibility: -
- Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Have at least one-year work experience in the past ten years in your intended occupation
- Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
- Show proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure, if your intended occupation is in a regulated profession or compulsory apprenticeship trade;
- Have an offer of permanent, full-time employment in Saskatchewan. You’ll need a valid SINP Job Approval Letter to show proof of this. There’s no specific list of jobs, but your 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
Occupations In-Demand sub-category is closed to new applications at this time.
This sub-category is for skilled workers who, Don’t have a job offer in Saskatchewan but are highly-skilled in an in-demand occupation in theprovince, andMeet the sub-category criteria.
Eligibility: -
- Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid;
- Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
- Have completed post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship that’s comparable to the Canadian education system of at least one year in length. You should have earned a diploma, certificate or degree with this.
- Have at least one-year work experience in the past 10 years:
- In your field of education or training occupation, and
- In a high skilled occupation in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Matrix level "A", "B" or "0" that’s in-demand in Saskatchewan.
- Show proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure, if your intended occupation is in a regulated profession or compulsory apprenticeship trade;
- Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry:-
Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category is closed to new applications at this time.
This sub-category is for skilled workers who:Want to live and work in Saskatchewan, Are in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Express Entry Pool; andMeet the sub-category criteria.
Eligibility: -
- As candidates, must be in the federal Express Entry pool, all candidates must be eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs:
- - Federal Skilled Worker
- - Federal Skilled Trades
- - Canadian Experience Class
- Have proof of legal status, if currently residing in Canada;
- Have been accepted into IRCC’s Express Entry pool and have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code;
- The Number and Code must be included in the SINP application.
- Provide language test results from a designated testing agency that match the language level declared in their Express Entry profile;
- Have completed at least one year of post-secondary education or training which is comparable to the Canadian education system and which has resulted in a degree, diploma, certificate, or a certificate equivalent to a trade certificate;
- Have a minimum level of work experience related to their field of education or training in a highly skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) that is considered to be 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).
- Obtain proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if their profession is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensing;
- Hold a certificate of qualification (also known as a letter of invitation) in their skilled trade from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission if their work experience is in a skilled trade;
- Have proof of sufficient settlement funds and a settlement plan; and
- Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid.
Saskatchewan Experience Category
Experience Category is for foreign nationals who are currently living and working in Saskatchewan.
Applicant with existing work permit: -
This sub-category is for skilled workers who- Have been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months, with a valid work permit; andMeet the sub-category criteria. The criteria can change at any time.
Eligibility:-
- Have a permanent full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. The job is required to be in National Occupation Classification (NOC) Matrix “A”, “B”, or “0” or in a designated trade;
- Food and Beverage Servers/Persons must apply under the Hospitality Sector Pilot Project sub-category.
- Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter; and
- Have worked for more than six months for the employer offering you the job, with a valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).Your permanent, full-time job offer must be for the same position that you have been working in for the past six months.
- Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 if your job offer is in a NOC ‘C’ occupation.
- Have proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if your occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensure.
Health Professionals: -
This stream is for skilled workers who:Have been working full-time in Saskatchewan for at least six months, on a temporary work permit as a:
- Physician;
- Nurse; or
- Other health professional.
Meet the SINP criteria for nomination.
Minimum Requirements for Physicians:-
- In order to be eligible as a physician under the health professionals sub-category, candidates 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; and
- Obtain 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 or she has licensing in a particular specialty.
Minimum Requirements for Nurses: -
- To be eligible as a nurse under the SINP`s Saskatchewan Experience - Health Professional`s sub-category, applicants 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.
Minimum Requirements for Other Health Professions: -
- 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;
- The language test must be from a designated testing agency and must have been taken within two years of the date of application.
- Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter; and
- 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 seeking to immigrate permanently to Saskatchewan who have been working in the province 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 6453),
- Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6641), or
- Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6661).
Candidates must have a permanent and full-time job offer from their employer that is approved by the SINP prior to making an application.
For Employers: -
To have the position assessed, the Saskatchewan employer must register on the SINP Employer website. Once approved, the employer will receive a Job Approval Letter, a copy of which must be submitted with the candidate's application to the SINP.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Employee: -
- Hold a valid work permit for one of the following occupations:
- Food/Beverage Server (NOC 6453);
- Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6641); or
- Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6661).
- 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); and
- Demonstrate language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher across all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) on a language test from a designated testing agency taken within two years of the date of application.
Long Haul Truck Driver Project:-
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.
- Meet the sub-category criteria. Criteria can change at any time.
For Employers: -
The job offer must be approved by the SINP prior to making an application. To have the position assessed, the Saskatchewan employer must register on the SINP Employer website. Once approved, the employer will receive a Job Approval Letter, a copy of which must be submitted with the candidate's application to the SINP.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Employee:-
- Have been working for an SINP-approved Saskatchewan trucking firm for at least six months on a temporary work permit;
- Have a current Saskatchewan Class 1A driver’s license;
- Have an offer of full-time, permanent employment from their employer (which must be an SINP-approved trucking firm in Saskatchewan);
- Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter; and
- Demonstrate language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher across all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) on a language test from a designated testing agency taken within two years of the date of application.
Students
This sub-category is for students who:Have graduated from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada.Want to apply for nomination by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).Meet the sub-category criteria. Criteria can change at any time.
Students may apply to any of the other SINP categories, if they meet their criteria.
Minimum Requirements for Graduates of Saskatchewan Institutes
- In order to be eligible as a graduate of a Saskatchewan institute under the Students sub-category, candidates must:
- Have graduated with a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Saskatchewan;
- The program must have been equivalent to at least one academic year (eight months) of full-time study.
- Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 as demonstrated on a designated language test taken within the past two years if the job offer is in a NOC level C occupation;
- Have a minimum of six months (960 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.
- Have applied for and received a valid post-graduation work permit from IRCC;
- Have a current, permanent, full-time job offer in their field of study from a Saskatchewan employer in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupation or trade, OR a job offer requiring post-secondary education; and
- Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.
Minimum Requirements for Graduates of Canadian Institutes (Outside Saskatchewan)
- To be eligible under the Students sub-category as a graduate of a Canadian institute outside of Saskatchewan, applicants must:
- Have graduated with a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada (outside of Saskatchewan);
- The program must have been equivalent to at least one academic year (eight months) of full-time study.
- Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 as demonstrated on a designated language test taken within the previous two years if the job offer is in a NOC level C occupation;
- Have a minimum of 24 consecutive months (two years) of paid full-time work experience (minimum 3,840 hours) in Saskatchewan after graduation and after receiving a valid post-graduation work permit;
- Eligible types of work experience in Saskatchewan include work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit.
- Have a valid post-graduation work permit from IRCC;
- Have a current, permanent, full-time job offer in their field of study from a Saskatchewan employer in an NOC level 0, A or B occupation, OR a designated trade, OR a job offer requiring a post-secondary education; and
- Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.
Entrepreneur and Farm Category
This Category is for is for those who want to invest and actively manage a Saskatchewan business or farm operation.
The Entrepreneur Category:-
There are three steps to the nomination process:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP;
- EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application; and
- Nomination.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
- Meet the minimum entry criteria to submit an EOI to the SINP:
- A minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD, verified by a Ministry-approved professional third party;
- Accumulation of net worth through legal means, verified to at least 80 percent by a Ministry-approved professional third party;
- At least three years of entrepreneurial experience within the past 10 years; and
- 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 percent) 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 two 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; and
- 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 sub-category, all of the following criteria must be met:
- The business must have the potential for creating economic benefit to Saskatchewan, as assessed by SINP immigration officer;
- The business can be a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation, but must meet the legal requirements of the community in which it operates;
- The business must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services; and
- The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.
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);
- Reasonable efforts must be taken to establish a fair market value for the business;
- There must be a complete change in ownership where the applicant assumed full control of the business; and
- The applicant must commit to maintaining employment for existing Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Farm Owner and Operator:-
This category is for those who’d like to move to Saskatchewan and who:Have proven experience in farming;Have considerable capital (money, assets) to invest in a farming operation; andPlan to buy and run a farm in Saskatchewan
Eligibility
- Available Equity: You’ll have to provide financial documents that show a net worth of $500,000 (CAD).
- Refundable Cash Deposit: You must sign a Performance Agreement. By doing this, you’ll be committing to purchase and actively operating a farm operation in Saskatchewan. You’ll also need to make a "good faith" deposit of $75,000 (CAD) in trust. The cash deposit will be returned to you when you’ve met the terms of the Performance Agreement. If you don’t meet the terms within two years of landing in Saskatchewan, the deposit will be forfeited to the Province.
- Mandatory visit to Saskatchewan: You’ll need to make a comprehensive exploratory visit to Saskatchewan for no less than five working days. You must meet with an SINP representative on your visit.
- Farm operation knowledge and experience: You’ll need to provide documentation (e.g. education and training, work experience, financial documents of your previous operations) that demonstrates you’re an experienced farm operator. If necessary, we may verify this information further through an interview when you are in Saskatchewan.
- A practical, well-thought-out proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity.
The program criteria can change at any time, The federal government sets the amount of nominations the SINP can make every year. The SINP also has a maximum number of application thresholds for each year. No application is guaranteed to be accepted and/or nominated.
Farm Owners and Operators - Young Farmer Stream
The Young Farmer stream of the Farm Owners and Operators category was created to allow young farm families to establish their lives and farming operations in rural areas of Saskatchewan.
Application Criteria
- To be approved for nomination in this stream, you’ll need to:
- Have a personal net worth of at least $300,000 (CAD) that can be confirmed.
- Have accumulated your net worth legally. We should be able to confirm this as well.
- Be under the age of 40 at the time of your 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. Your proposal should be based on research, consultations or formal coursework relevant to Saskatchewan agricultural conditions. Hobby farms don’t 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.
- In addition to all the above, you or your spouse must have marketable employment skills, based on education and experience that allows you to supplement your farming income.