
Immigrate To Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has smaller cities, prairie landscapes, giant blue skies, remote Northern lakes, dry, hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Saskatchewan is the sunniest province in Canada, with some of the best farmland found anywhere in the world. Much of Saskatchewan’s economy is connected to the oil & gas industry, mining and to agriculture – mainly grain crops and livestock. The cost of living in Saskatchewan is generally lower than other Provinces in Canada.
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) operates a number of different streams by which foreign nationals, both inside and outside of Saskatchewan, can apply for Permanent Residence in Canada. It is possible to apply if:
- you have a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, or
- you have experience in an occupation on the “in-demand” list, or
- you are already working in certain occupations in Saskatchewan, or
- you plan to establish a business, or
- you want to purchase a farm.
Program Details
International Skilled Worker Category
The International Skilled Worker Category is for skilled workers outside of Saskatchewan who want to work and live in Saskatchewan.
Applicant criteria:
- you score a min of 60 points out of 100 on the points assessment grid
- you have at least 1 year work experience within the past 10 years in the occupation that enables you to qualify for SINP
- you are eligible for licensing in Saskatchewan, if required for your occupation
- you have scored a min CLB 4 on a valid language test
In addition to the general criteria for this category, applicants must meet additional criteria for one of the 5 sub-categories below.
5 Sub Categories:
1. International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer
- You have a job offer, in a skilled position (NOC 0, A or B), from an employer in Saskatchewan who holds an SINP job approval letter
2. International Skilled Worker – Occupation in Demand
- your occupation is a NOC 0, A or B position
- your occupation is not on the excluded occupations list
- no need for a job offer in Saskatchewan
- you have completed the equivalent to a minimum one-year Canadian post-secondary credential
- you have scored a min CLB 4 on a valid language test
You may submit an Expression of Interest online and may be invited to apply based on your overall points total for the SINP skilled worker assessment grid
Application fee: CAD $350
3. International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry
- you have an active Express Entry profile
- you have completed education that’s equivalent to a min one-year Canadian post-secondary credential
- your occupation is not on the excluded occupations list
- you have at least one year of work experience in NOC 0, A or B that matches an occupation not on the excluded occupations list and is related to your field of education
- you have funds to settle successfully in Saskatchewan
- no job offer is needed
You may submit an Expression of Interest online and will be invited to apply based on your overall points total for the SINP skilled worker assessment grid
Application fee: CAD $350
4. International Skilled Worker – Tech Talent Pathway
- you have a permanent and full-time job offer in the following positions:
- NOC 0213: Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 2133: Electrical and Electronics engineers
- NOC 2147: Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- NOC 2171: Information System analysts and consultants
- NOC 2172: Database analysts and data administrators
- NOC 2173: Software engineers and designers
- NOC 2174: Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- NOC 2175: Web designers and developers
- NOC 2281: Computer network technicians
- NOC 2282: User support technicians
- NOC 2283: Information system testing technicians
- You have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from your employer to show proof
- you are eligible for Saskatchewan licensing (if applicable to your occupation)
- you have a post-secondary education that relates to the job you’ve been offered
- If applying from Saskatchewan: Currently working in Saskatchewan and have worked full-time (30+ hours per week) for at least 6 months for the employer offering you the job; If you have not been working for your supporting employer full-time for at least 6 months, then you must have at least 1 year of work experience in your occupation within the last 5 years.
- If applying from outside of Saskatchewan or Canada: One year of high-skilled related work experience in the past five years in your intended eligible occupation.
5. International Skilled Worker – Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot
- you have a permanent and full-time job offer in an eligible occupation
- you have at least 1 year full-time work experience in the past 3 years (in your intended occupation); or 6 months full-time working in Saskatchewan in the job
- you have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from your employer to show proof
- you have completed education that’s equivalent to a min one-year Canadian post-secondary credential
- you have scored a min CLB 4 on a valid language test (Note: Some employers or regulators may ask for scores that are higher than CLB 4)
Saskatchewan Experience Category
The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign nationals who are already working and living in Saskatchewan, with a valid work permit. You need to be working for an employer that holds a valid SINP job approval letter and has made you a permanent job offer. You do not need to register in the expression of interest system or receive an invitation to apply. Applicants who work in a NOC C occupation will need to demonstrate a min language score of CLB 4.
Note: The SINP currently has several pilot projects open whereby you can apply in this category if you are not presently working in Saskatchewan, but you can demonstrate that you previously worked in Saskatchewan in certain occupations.
The applicant must meet additional requirements in one of the six sub-categories below:
1. Skilled worker with existing work permit
- you have been working in SK for at least 6 months with a valid work permit
- you have a permanent job offer from your SK employer in NOC 0, A or B, or in a designated trade
- you cannot apply to this category if you are a refugee claimant, health professional, food and beverage server or are working on a post grad work permit
2. Semi-skilled Agriculture worker
- you are currently working, as a General Farm worker (NOC 8431) or Nursery and Greenhouse worker (NOC 8432) for at least 6 months for the employer making you the job offer
- you have a valid work permit in either Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, International Experience Canada or Temporary Foreign worker program (LMIA based)
- you have completed education that is equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma
- Note: there is a current pilot project that you can apply as an Agricultural worker even if you are not currently working in Saskatchewan, as long as you can prove that you worked in Saskatchewan as an Agricultural Worker for at least 6 months in the past.
3. Health Professionals
- you have been working as a Physician, Nurse or other health professional for at least 6 months in Saskatchewan, with a valid work permit
- you meet the licensing requirements for your profession in Saskatchewan
4. Hospitality Sector Project
- you have been working as a Food/Beverage server (NOC 6513), Food Counter Attendant, Kitchen Helper (NOC 6711) or Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6731) for at least 6 months
- your employer has SINP hospitality approval
- your work permit is based on an LMIA
- you have completed minimum of Grade 12 (or equivalent)
- Note: there is a current pilot project that you can apply as a Food/Beverage server even if you are not currently working in Saskatchewan, as long as you can prove that you worked in Saskatchewan as a Food/Beverage server for at least 6 months in the past.
5. Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
- you have been working as a long-haul truck driver for a Saskatchewan firm for at least 6 months, with an LMIA based work permit
- you hold a valid Saskatchewan Class 1A driver’s license
- Note: there is a current pilot project that you can apply as a Long-Haul Truck Driver even if you are not currently working in Saskatchewan, as long as you can prove that you worked in Saskatchewan as a Long-Haul Truck Driver for at least 6 months in the past.
6. Students
- you have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada
- you hold a valid post grad work permit
- you have a permanent job offer in Saskatchewan, for a job that is in NOC 0, A or B, or a designated trade related to your field of study
- if you graduated from a school in Saskatchewan, you have a certificate, diploma or degree plus at least 6 months of paid employment (can include work gained while studying)
- if you graduated from a school in another part of Canada, you have worked at least 6 months on your post grad work permit in Saskatchewan in a position related to your field of study
Entrepreneur Category
Saskatchewan Entrepreneurs
This category is for qualified entrepreneurs who wish to start, purchase or partner in an eligible business and actively manage it. Applicants must submit an online expression of interest and will be able to apply if they receive an invitation based on the points grid. Once invited, you will submit a Business Establishment Plan to the SINP. If your plan is approved, you enter into a contract with SINP and are given a support letter that enables you to apply for a work permit so that you can travel to Saskatchewan and establish your business. After 6 months of successfully running the business, you are eligible for a Provincial nomination.
Applicant criteria:
- you have a minimum net worth of CAD $500,000 in Net Business and Personal Assets
- you have a min 3 years relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience within past 10 years
- you intend to invest a min CAD $300,000 in Regina and Saskatoon or a min of CAD $200,000 in any other Saskatchewan community
Business criteria:
- you will own at least 1/3 of the equity in the Saskatchewan business, unless your total investment is CAD $1 million or higher;
- You will provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management of the business
- you will create 2 new jobs for people who are not related to you (only if establishing a new business in Regina or Saskatoon)
Application fee: CAD $2500
International Graduate Entrepreneur
This category is for Saskatchewan graduates with a valid post-grad work permit who want to start up or purchase and operate a qualifying business in Saskatchewan. Applicants must submit an online expression of interest and will be invited to apply based on the points grid. Once invited, you will submit a Business Establishment Plan to the SINP. If your plan is approved, you enter into a contract with SINP and will need to successfully run the business for at least one year in order to receive a Provincial nomination.
Applicant criteria:
- you are at least 21 years of age
- you have completed a full-time post-secondary program of at least 2 years duration from an eligible Saskatchewan institution
- you hold a valid post-grad work permit, with at least 24 months validity remaining
- you lived in Saskatchewan while you completed your studies (distance-learning and accelerated learning programs are not eligible)
- you have a min CLB 7 on your language test
- you present a viable proposal in an eligible business sector, and plan to personally operate the business
There is no application fee in this category
Farm Owner and Operator Category
This category is for experienced farmers who plan to buy and operate a farm in Saskatchewan in primary agricultural production (crops and livestock).
- you have proven farm experience that will enable you to successfully farm in Saskatchewan
- you have a min net worth of CAD $500,000
- you will make a deposit of CAD $75,000 paid to the SINP, which is refunded if you follow all conditions within 2 years of arrival to Saskatchewan
- you must first visit Saskatchewan for a min of 10 business days and meet with an SINP representative
- you must demonstrate that your plans to operate a farming operation are viable
Application fee: CAD $2500
Young Farmer Stream
- you have a personal net worth of min CAD $300,000
- you are less than 40 years old at time of application
- you have at least 3 years experience in farm ownership, management or practical farming experience
- you will provide a proposal for a commercial farming project that will generate at least CAD $10,000 in annual revenue
- you or spouse must also demonstrate marketable employment skills that enables you to supplement your farming income
- you must make an exploratory visit to SK for at least 10 business days
Application fee: CAD $2500