The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a provincial immigration program that nominates qualified foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
As a Provincial Nominee Program, the SINP strategically nominates immigrants with the skills, experience, and resources to integrate into Saskatchewan’s labour market and contribute to the province’s economic growth.
Over the past decade, the SINP has helped attract many newcomers to Saskatchewan and has become an increasingly popular pathway to Canadian immigration. This comprehensive guide will provide an in-depth look at the different categories within the SINP, eligibility requirements, application processes, and tips for improving your chances of nomination.
What is the SINP?
The SINP is an immigration program administered by the province of Saskatchewan under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It operates alongside Canada’s federal immigration programs but provides Saskatchewan with more control over the selection criteria for permanent residence applicants destined for the province.
Unlike federal programs that focus on Canada’s needs, the SINP strategically nominates applicants who can fill labour shortages in Saskatchewan and bring investment capital or entrepreneurial talent to drive the province’s economy.
The SINP enables Saskatchewan to nominate immigrants who intend to live and work in the province for permanent residence. Once the SINP nominates an applicant, they can apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under an accelerated process.
What are the main categories under the SINP?
The SINP contains three main categories, each comprising various sub-categories, designed to target immigrants that meet Saskatchewan’s economic and labour market priorities:
- International Skilled Worker Category: For foreign nationals with skilled work experience who want to immigrate to Saskatchewan for employment.
- Saskatchewan Experience Category: For foreign nationals already working or studying in Saskatchewan who want to transition to permanent residence.
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category: For immigrant entrepreneurs and farmers who want to invest in Saskatchewan through business ownership or farming.
International Skilled Worker Category
The International Skilled Worker Category is the main pathway for skilled immigrants wanting to permanently settle in Saskatchewan. It has three sub-categories:
Saskatchewan Express Entry
The Express Entry sub-category is for candidates already in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry pool who want to live and work in Saskatchewan permanently.
To qualify, applicants must have a valid Express Entry profile and meet the SINP’s eligibility criteria for education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other factors.
A key benefit of the Express Entry sub-category is that nominated applicants receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a future federal Express Entry draw.
Saskatchewan Employment Offer
This sub-category targets skilled workers who have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. The job offer must be for continued employment in the applicant’s skilled occupation.
Candidates must meet the requirements for education, work experience, language ability, and licensing, if applicable, in their occupation. A job offer is mandatory, but applicants do not need to be in the Express Entry pool.
Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupation
This pathway is for skilled workers with recent experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan, even if they don’t have a job offer.
It uses Saskatchewan’s In-Demand Occupations list, which highlights skilled professions needed to address the province’s labor market shortages. Applicants must meet requirements for education, language, work experience, and licensing, if applicable.
Saskatchewan Experience Category
The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign nationals who are already living and working in Saskatchewan and want to transition from temporary status to permanent residence in the province. It contains multiple sub-categories:
Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit
This pathway is for skilled foreign workers in Saskatchewan who hold a valid work permit and have a full-time, permanent job offer from their employer to continue working in the province.
Hospitality Sector Project
This sub-category is for foreign nationals currently working in Saskatchewan’s hospitality sector under an eligible work permit and occupation. Applicants must get a permanent job offer under the Hospitality Sector Project to apply.
Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
This pathway allows long-haul truck drivers working in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit for at least 6 months to apply for permanent residence under the Long-Haul Truck Driver Project.
Students
Foreign students who graduated from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution and have a permanent job offer related to their field of study in Saskatchewan can apply under this sub-category if they meet specific work experience requirements.
Health Professionals
This pathway is for physicians, nurses, and other health professionals who have been working in Saskatchewan for a minimum of 6 months on a work permit and who obtain a permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.
Entrepreneur and Farm Category
The Entrepreneur and Farm category enables immigrant entrepreneurs, agri-food investors, and farmers to obtain permanent residence by investing in Saskatchewan businesses or farming operations.
It contains two sub-categories:
Entrepreneur
This sub-category is for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to start or purchase and actively manage a business in Saskatchewan in any economic sector. Candidates are assessed on net worth, investment capital, job creation, and business proposal.
Farm Owners and Operators
This pathway is tailored for foreign nationals with farming experience and investment capital who want to establish, purchase and operate a commercial farming operation in Saskatchewan.
What are the requirements for applying under each SINP category?
While requirements vary across specific pathways, there are some standard eligibility criteria under the SINP categories:
- Provide proof of legal status in Canada if you are currently residing in the country on a work or study permit.
- Sufficient settlement funds and a plan to establish yourself in Saskatchewan.
- Educational credentials equal to a Canadian high school diploma or higher.
- Minimum language ability in English or French, ranging from CLB 4 to CLB 7 depending on category.
- Job offer from a Saskatchewan employer if applicable for your stream.
- Mandatory work experience in a skilled occupation, ranging from 6 months to 2 years of full-time employment depending on category.
- Minimum investment capital from $200,000 CAD to $500,000 CAD for entrepreneurs.
- Valid Express Entry profile if applying through the Express Entry sub-category.
The SINP has detailed eligibility grids for each category that outline the required criteria. Reaching the minimum thresholds for education, language, work experience, age, and other selection factors can improve the chances of nomination.
How does the SINP application process work?
The application process differs slightly depending on the specific stream:
Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category
- Create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool.
- Receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Saskatchewan inviting you to apply.
- Apply online to the SINP within 30 days and provide supporting documents.
- Obtain nomination from the SINP once approved.
- Receive 600 additional CRS points and ITA for PR in the next Express Entry draw.
- Apply for permanent residence within 6 months.
Saskatchewan Employment Offer and In-Demand Occupation Sub-Categories
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to enter Saskatchewan’s EOI pool.
- Get drawn from the pool and receive an Invitation to Apply.
- Apply online to the SINP within 60 days and provide supporting documents.
- Obtain nomination from the SINP once approved.
- Apply for permanent residence within 6 months.
Entrepreneur and Farm Category
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to enter Saskatchewan’s EOI pool.
- Get drawn from the pool and receive an Invitation to Apply.
- Submit a business proposal or farm plan with application to the SINP.
- Sign a Business Performance Agreement if approved.
- Obtain nomination from the SINP after meeting agreement conditions.
- Apply for permanent residence within 6 months.
For most categories, the SINP application portal is used to submit the online application, documents, and payment of fees. Applications take 1 to 6 months to process, depending on the stream.
How long does it take to process SINP applications?
SINP application processing times vary across categories but typically range between 5 weeks for simpler streams up to 35 weeks for more complex business and skilled worker applications:
| Category | Sub-Category | Average Application Processing Time |
| Saskatchewan Experience | All streams | 1-2 weeks |
| International Skilled Worker | Saskatchewan Employment Offer | 4 weeks |
| International Skilled Worker | Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupation | 35 weeks |
| International Skilled Worker | Saskatchewan Express Entry | 37 weeks |
| Entrepreneur and Farm | All streams | 14 weeks |
Once nominated by the SINP, applicants can submit their permanent residence application to IRCC within 6 months. Overall, the SINP offers a faster pathway to PR than many Canadian immigration programs.
How can I improve my chances of success under the SINP?
Follow these tips to boost your ranking and chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply under the SINP:
- Obtain a permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer if required by your category.
- Increase your work experience in an eligible skilled occupation, ideally to 2+ years.
- Improve your English or French language test scores above minimum cut-offs.
- Complete a post-secondary educational credential at least 1 to 2 years in duration.
- Make connections in Saskatchewan through previous studies, work, or close relatives.
- Have a well-researched business proposal or farming plan if applying as an entrepreneur.
- Bring higher investment funds than program minimums.
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
- Create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool if applying under the EE category.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program provides an excellent opportunity for skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, and agri-food investors to achieve permanent Canadian immigration through the province of Saskatchewan. The SINP offers multiple pathways that are faster than many federal programs.
With Saskatchewan’s vibrant economy and job opportunities across sectors like agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and technology, the SINP presents a promising option for immigrant families and workers seeking a prosperous future in Canada.
Canada offers Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in other provinces that provide pathways to permanent residence based on local economic needs. Some of these other PNPs include:
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
FAQs related to The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
What are the requirements to apply for SINP?
Basic requirements include proof of legal status, education, language ability, work experience, a job offer if applicable, settlement funds, and meeting eligibility criteria of your chosen category. Specific requirements vary across streams.
How long does it take to get SINP nomination?
Processing times range from 1 week for some Saskatchewan Experience Category streams to up to 35-37 weeks for skilled worker and entrepreneur streams.
When are SINP draws held?
SINP holds regular draws for EOI candidates under the Express Entry, In-Demand Occupation, Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur streams. Draw frequency varies from weekly to monthly.
Why should I use the SINP instead of federal programs?
SINP offers faster processing and tailored eligibility criteria focused on Saskatchewan's economic needs. Applicants with connections get additional ranking points.
How can I improve my ranking under SINP?
Ways to improve your ranking include higher language scores, education, skilled work experience, age under 45, job offer, business investment, and Saskatchewan connections.
Do I need a job offer to apply under SINP?
A job offer is mandatory for some streams like the Employment Offer sub-category but not required for streams like Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand.