On August 30, the Government of Saskatchewan unveiled two new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), targeting skilled newcomers in the healthcare and agriculture sectors.
Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Immigration and Career Training, highlighted that these new pathways are designed to better align the province’s immigration strategies with its current needs.
“In response to widespread labour shortages, the introduction of these new immigration pathways and the enhancement of our credential recognition process will assist Saskatchewan employers in securing the skilled workforce necessary for their business growth,” he stated.
The newly introduced Agriculture Talent Pathway is designed to address the growing need for skilled workers in the agriculture sector, which is crucial to Saskatchewan’s economy. In 2023 alone, the province exported over $3.2 billion in key crop products.
Additionally, the Health Talent Pathway is intended to bolster Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources (HHR) action plan. The province plans to centralize and simplify all healthcare recruitment efforts through this streamlined pathway.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
To be considered for this stream, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Achieve a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Note that some employers or regulators may require higher scores.
- Have completed secondary school (high school) or hold a higher-level education.
- Possess at least one year of full-time work experience in their intended occupation within the past three years, or six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience with the employer who has issued a Job Approval Letter. This work experience does not need to be continuous.
- Demonstrate a commitment to work and live in Saskatchewan.
- Secure a job offer for a permanent, full-time position in the agricultural sector in Saskatchewan.
- Obtain a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from their employer, who must be registered with the SINP to provide this documentation
The eligibility criteria for this pathway differ depending on whether candidates are in the federal Express Entry pool. However, some requirements are consistent across both subcategories, including:
- Eligibility for Saskatchewan licensing, if applicable to their occupation.
- Completion of post-secondary education related to the job offered, such as a master’s or bachelor’s degree; a three-year degree from a university or college; or a diploma requiring two years at a post-secondary institution.
- Demonstration of intent to work and live in Saskatchewan.
For candidates not in the Express Entry pool, additional requirements include:
- An English or French language score of at least CLB 5. Some employers or regulators may require higher scores.
- Work experience requirements:
- If currently working in Saskatchewan: Six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience (30+ hours per week) in the job with the employer who issued the Job Approval Letter. The work experience does not need to be continuous.
- If not working full-time for the supporting employer for at least six months: At least one year of work experience in the occupation within the last five years.
For candidates with profiles in the Express Entry pool:
- A valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code are required.
- An English or French language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher is necessary.
- Work experience requirements:
- One year of high-skilled work experience in the past five years in the intended eligible occupation, whether applying from inside or outside Canada.
Overview of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
In 2023, Saskatchewan welcomed 7,350 newcomers through the SINP and received an allocation of 8,000 nominations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2024. The province anticipates nearly 20,000 newcomers by the end of 2025, with the allocation expected to increase to 8,500.
Saskatchewan is increasingly popular among prospective immigrants due to its affordable cost of living, lower housing expenses compared to other major Canadian cities, and a low provincial tax rate. Additionally, the Graduate Retention Program offers a refund of up to $20,000 in tuition fees for eligible graduates, including international students, who reside in Saskatchewan and file a provincial income tax return.
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