Saskatchewan PNP (SINP) Guide

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs to be nominated by the province for Canadian permanent residency. It helps Saskatchewan address local labour shortages while giving newcomers faster access to PR through provincial nomination.

What is Saskatchewan PNP (SINP)?

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a provincial immigration program that allows the province to nominate qualified foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residency. It is managed by the Government of Saskatchewan in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Through the SINP, Saskatchewan selects candidates with the skills, education, and work experience needed to fill labour shortages and support provincial growth. Once nominated, applicants can apply to IRCC for permanent residency, either through Express Entry–aligned streams or non-Express Entry pathways.

• Saskatchewan’s 2025 Provincial Nominee Program allocation was increased by 1,136, bringing the total to 4,761 nominations.
• Priority sectors for immigration include healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades, addressing critical labour shortages.
• The province created 19,800 new jobs year-over-year, leading Canada in employment growth.
• Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate stood at 4.7% in August 2025, one of the lowest in the country.
• With a growing economy and welcoming communities, Saskatchewan offers strong opportunities for skilled workers and their families.

Why Choose the Saskatchewan PNP?

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers several advantages that make it one of the most accessible and appealing provincial immigration pathways for newcomers:

• Strong Job Market Demand: Saskatchewan actively invites candidates in occupations facing local labour shortages, giving skilled workers better chances of selection.
• Lower CRS Cutoff through Express Entry: SINP nominations add 600 CRS points to Express Entry profiles, helping applicants with moderate scores secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
• Family Inclusion: Applicants can include spouses, partners, and dependent children in their SINP application, allowing families to immigrate together.
• Direct Pathway to Permanent Residency: A provincial nomination ensures eligibility to apply for Canadian PR through IRCC, offering a faster and more predictable route compared to federal-only programs.
• Multiple Streams to Suit Different Profiles: The SINP has options for skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs, making it flexible for a wide range of applicants.

Saskatchewan PNP Streams

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers several streams designed to attract skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs who can contribute to the province’s economy. Each stream has its own requirements and provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residency.

International Skilled Worker

This category is for skilled workers who want to live and work in Saskatchewan. It is divided into sub-streams such as:

• Express Entry: For candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool who meet Saskatchewan’s criteria. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, increasing chances of permanent residency.
• Occupation in Demand: For highly skilled workers in occupations that are facing shortages in Saskatchewan but who may not yet have an Express Entry profile.
• Employment Offer: For skilled workers with a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in an eligible occupation.

Saskatchewan Experience

This stream is for foreign nationals already working and living in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit. It includes sub-streams for existing workers, health professionals, international students, and hospitality sector workers. Applicants must typically have a valid job offer and demonstrate their intent to continue residing in the province.

Entrepreneur & Farm Stream

This stream targets individuals who wish to own, actively manage, or invest in a business in Saskatchewan. Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), meet net worth and investment requirements, and commit to a Business Performance Agreement. A separate Farm Owner and Operator pathway is available for those interested in investing in and operating agricultural operations in the province.

Saskatchewan PNP Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), applicants must meet the minimum eligibility standards set by the province and, in some cases, federal immigration requirements. The key criteria include:

• Points Assessment Grid: Achieve at least 60 points out of 110 on the SINP assessment grid. Points are awarded for factors such as education, work experience, age, language ability, and adaptability.
• Education & Credential Assessment: Hold a minimum of a high school diploma. For education completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) may be required to confirm equivalency.
• Work Experience: Possess relevant work experience in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) that is in demand in Saskatchewan. Experience must be verifiable and meet the requirements of the chosen stream.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrate English or French ability through approved tests such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. The minimum score is typically CLB 4 or higher, depending on the stream.
• Job Offer (where applicable): For certain sub-streams such as Employment Offer or Saskatchewan Experience, a valid full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer is required.
• Proof of Funds: Show evidence of sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family, as per the amounts updated annually by IRCC. Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine intent to live and work in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan PNP Application Process

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Ensure you meet the basic requirements of the SINP, including scoring at least 60 points on the SINP assessment grid, having the required education, language skills, and relevant work experience.

Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Create an online profile and submit an EOI to the Saskatchewan government. Your profile will be ranked based on points, and candidates with the highest scores and matching labour market needs are selected in draws.

Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your EOI is selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the SINP. This allows you to move forward with a full application.

Step 4: Submit Full Application & Pay Fees

Complete the official SINP application by submitting all required documents, including identification, education, work experience, language test results, proof of funds, and job offer (if applicable). Pay the application processing fee, which is currently CAD $350 for most SINP categories.

Step 5: Receive Provincial Nomination

If your application is approved, Saskatchewan will issue a Provincial Nomination Certificate. For Express Entry candidates, this nomination adds 600 CRS points, ensuring an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residency.

Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residence with IRCC

With the provincial nomination, submit your complete application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes paying federal fees, providing biometrics, and submitting police and medical clearances. IRCC makes the final decision on granting permanent residency.

Saskatchewan PNP Fees

Category	Applicant Type	Fee (CAD)	Notes
SINP Application Fee	Most SINP categories	$350	Non-refundable provincial processing fee.
Federal PR Fees (IRCC)	Principal applicant	$1,525	Includes $950 processing fee + $575 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
	Spouse/partner	$1,525	Same structure as principal applicant.
	Dependent child	$260	Processing fee only; no RPRF required.
	Biometrics	$85 per person / $170 family max	Required for most applicants.

Saskatchewan PNP Processing Time

The processing time for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) depends on the stage of the application:

Stage of Process	Typical Timeline
EOI Selection	Ongoing, through regular provincial draws
Provincial Nomination Processing	3 to 6 months (average)
PR Application (IRCC Stage)	9 to 12 months (average)

Saskatchewan PNP Updates

• The federal government reduced Saskatchewan’s nomination allocations by 50%, requiring the province to adjust its immigration program.
• In February 2025, Saskatchewan temporarily paused new intake of Job Approval Forms (JAFs) for all job-offer based streams.
• The pause was lifted in March 2025, and employers can now submit new JAFs under updated rules.
• To manage reduced allocations, Saskatchewan introduced sector caps — sectors such as Accommodations & Food Services, Retail Trade, and Trucking may receive no more than 25% of total annual nominations.
• The province permanently closed the Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator categories.
• Overseas recruitment is now limited to three priority sectors: Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades.
• New rules exclude some open work permit holders, update requirements for international students, and restrict certain business types (e.g., spas, salons, pet care services, except veterinarians) from participating in the program.

Benefits of Applying Through SINP

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers a number of advantages for skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs who want to settle in the province. Key benefits include:

• Faster Processing Times: Applications submitted through SINP are often processed more quickly compared to some federal immigration programs.
• Lower CRS Requirement: Through the Express Entry sub-category, a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, ensuring a much higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
• Occupation in Demand Pathway: Applicants may be eligible to apply even without a job offer, provided their occupation is in demand in Saskatchewan.
• Job Offer Opportunities: For those with Saskatchewan employment offers, SINP provides a direct and reliable pathway to permanent residency.
• Family Inclusion: Applicants can include their spouse or partner and dependent children in their SINP application, allowing the entire family to immigrate together.
• Support for International Graduates: Specific sub-streams are tailored for graduates of Saskatchewan institutions, making it easier for students to transition to permanent residency.
• Employer-Driven Streams: The program helps Saskatchewan employers fill labour shortages by supporting foreign workers who are already contributing to the province’s economy.
• Settlement in a Growing Province: Saskatchewan offers a high quality of life, affordable living costs, and growing job opportunities, making it an attractive destination for newcomers.

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