Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada administers the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) as a pathway of immigration for foreign citizens. The project is a part of the Provincial Nominee Program that allows qualified candidates to legally obtain the status of a permanent resident. To learn whether you are eligible for the program, you have to get acquainted with the minimum requirements for multiple SINP streams.

Why Saskatchewan?

There’s a reason Saskatchewan is known as the “sunshine province.” As it lies far from the ocean, this prairie area has warm summers and plenty of sunny days. However, the province’s hidden gem is the Athabasca Sand Dunes, a part of the desert in the middle of Canada. Saskatchewan is also the province of stunning purple sand beaches that surround numerous silver lakes and rivers.

When it comes to the economy of Saskatchewan, its agriculture sector surpasses that of many other provinces. Saskatchewan has the largest output of Canadian farms in grain, wheat, and barley. Leading industries include mining, finance, and forestry. The latter is especially popular in the northern part of the country. The majority of the population speak English, and it’s the official language of the province.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): From A to Z

There are six Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program streams:

Skilled Worker Streams

Generally, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee program aims to support the local economy. Therefore, it targets areas with high unemployment rates and job shortages. The program offers three pathways to immigrate as a skilled worker:

#1 – International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer

If you live outside Canada and have a valid job offer in one of the skilled occupations, you can apply under this stream. For the reference, occupations that belong to the NOC skill levels 0, A, and B are considered skilled. Furthermore, your future employer has to vouch that you are the most capable person to fill in the vacancy (and not someone who’s already a permanent resident of Saskatchewan).

Next, you need to score a minimum of 60 points on the point assessment grid. It encompasses criteria such as education, skilled work experience, and language skills. That said, your English language proficiency has to be at CLB level 4 or above.

#2 – International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand

Typically, getting a Canadian job offer presents the most difficult hurdle for potential candidates. However, if you possess the necessary skills, there are a few ways to get employment. In case you do not have a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, you can try to move under the Occupation In-Demand stream.

You should be highly skilled in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan. To get an idea of the careers that are most sought-after in the province, you can check NOC 0, A, and B occupations. For instance, health professionals and engineers with previous work experience are welcome to apply to the stream. Agriculture-food and management occupations are also in demand.

#3 – Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience

Finally, foreign individuals who already live in the province can consider the Worker with Experience stream. Also, they need a valid temporary work permit. There are a couple of sub-categories within this SINP stream:

Skilled Worker (individuals who have worked in the province for at least six months in one of the highly skilled occupations),
Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker (farm, nursery and greenhouse workers with a permanent employment offer),
Healthcare Workforce (health professionals with a full-time job offer from the Saskatchewan Health Authority or Cancer Agency),
Hospitality Sector Project (food or beverage servers, attendants, and housekeeping staff who have worked for at least six months in the province),
Long-Haul Truck Driver Project (drivers who are currently working for an authorized Saskatchewan company, and have a permanent employment offer),
Students (graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution in the province, with accumulated 6 months of employment).

Saskatchewan Express Entry Stream

The SINP Express Entry Stream is similar to the skilled worker stream. Again, candidates need a minimum of 60 points (out of 100) on the SINP point assessment grid. Generally, it is faster to obtain a permanent residency status with Express Entry than with other SINP streams.

However, applicants also have to fulfill the eligibility criteria of the Express Entry Stream. Next, they should submit an Expression of Interest for Saskatchewan, which signals a candidate is interested particularly in this Canadian province. Then, the Government of Saskatchewan will invite the most successful candidates to apply and become nominees through this stream.

Entrepreneur Streams

If you have sufficient funds to start a business in Saskatchewan and create job opportunities, there’s a high chance that entrepreneur streams are for you. After you propose your Business Plan, you will sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). According to its terms, the Office of Immigration will evaluate your success after one year. If they conclude you have successfully operated the business, you’ll become a nominee of the program.

#1 – Entrepreneur Stream

Individuals who have a minimum experience of three years as a business owner or senior manager can apply for the Entrepreneur Stream. Primarily, you should have a net worth of $CAD 500,000. The minimum investment amount is $CAD 300,000 for Saskatoon or Regina, and $CAD 200,000 for other areas.

Additionally, international graduates who have owned a business in Saskatchewan at least one year prior to the application can earn the status of a permanent resident. The ownership is valid if a candidate possesses at least one-third of a business. You also ought to demonstrate language skills equivalent to CLB level 7.

#2 – Farm Owner and Operator

As farming and agriculture are highly developed in the province, there’s a separate stream for these sectors. Namely, agricultural workers who can prove a considerable experience and want to establish their farm in rural areas of Saskatchewan can immigrate via this stream. The minimum capital you have to invest in a business is $CAD 150,000.

Final Words on Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program empowers the economy of the province. At the same time, it provides a possibility for people who want to live and work in Saskatchewan to achieve their goals. Now that you’re acquainted with the program’s streams and requirements, you can apply if you have the skills that meet the demands.