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Table of Contents

• Overview of the Saskatchewan PNP
• Saskatchewan Immigration Streams
  • Saskatchewan Experience Category
  • Entrepreneur and Farm Category
  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact us for Assistance

Overview of the Saskatchewan PNP

The Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program, officially the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)launched in 1998.

It was launched to help address economic and labor market needs through immigration to the province.

Saskatchewan's provincial program has been very successful. Seven out of 10 newcomers to the provinceimmigrated through the SINP. The province also has a high employment rate for newcomers, around 76 percent.Retention rates are also high, with over 85 percent of newcomers choosing to stay in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan is a popular destination among newcomers. The Saskatchewan PNP program has a reputation of being an “easy PNP". This may be because of the variety of immigration options it provides immigration candidates.

Saskatchewan has an enhanced sub-category and many base sub-categories. The enhanced sub-category is called Saskatchewan Express Entry and is under the International Skilled Worker Category.

Enhanced means that the sub-category is aligned with the Express Entry system, which is the system that the federal government uses to manage permanent residence applications through the country’s three main economic class immigration programs.

The Express Entry system gives a candidate a point score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence during an Express Entry draw.

If you get a nomination from an enhanced provincial program, you get an extra 600 CRS points, practically guaranteeing you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. You also get your nomination through your Express Entry profile.

The majority of Saskatchewan’s sub-categories are base streams. This means that they are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a provincial nomination are required to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Saskatchewan Immigration Streams:

If you wish to immigrate to Saskatchewan, then you have four options to choose from:

• International Skilled Worker Category
• Saskatchewan Experience Category
• Entrepreneur and Farm Category
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.

The International Skilled Worker Category is for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign workers who are already living in Saskatchewan, including holders of a current work permit and international graduates.

The Entrepreneur and Farm Category is for individuals who wish to own and actively operate a business or a farming operation in Saskatchewan.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for international students graduating from an eligible post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan and who are planning to start a business in the province.

Saskatchewan Experience Category

The Experience Category consists of six pathways:

Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit

This sub-category is for skilled workers who have been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months and who hold valid work permits.

Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit

This sub-category is for semi-skilled workers who have been working for more than six months with a valid work permit for the employer offering them a job, or who have previously worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months. They must also have a full-time permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer as a General Farm Worker (NOC 8431) or Nursery and Greenhouse Worker (NOC 8432).

Health Professionals

This sub-category is for physicians, nurses, or other health care workers who have worked for at least six months in Saskatchewan.

Hospitality Sector Project

This sub-category is for food and beverage servers, food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, or housekeeping and cleaning staff in Saskatchewan. They must have been working for at least six months in the province.

Long Haul Truck Driver Project

This sub-category is for those who have been working at an approved trucking firm in Saskatchewan for at least six months.

Students

This sub-category is for students who graduated from a post-secondary institution anywhere in Canada, and who worked in Saskatchewan for at least 24 months. Students who graduated from a Saskatchewan institution need to have worked in the province for just 6 months.

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: 1-2 weeks

Minimum Requirements:

Category	Is a job offer required?	Minimum Requirements
Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit	Yes	Have a valid work permit, Have a permanent, full-time job offer from an eligible job, Have worked for at least six months for the employer offering the permanent job, Meet the language requirement of CLB 4, Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter; and Have proof of eligibility for licensure if required.
Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit	Yes	Have been working for more than six months with a valid work permit for the employer offering a job; or, Have previously worked in Saskatchewan for a minimum of six months; Have a permanent full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) occupations: NOC 8431: General Farm Worker NOC 8432: Nursery and Greenhouse Worker Meet other criteria of the sub-category.
Health Professionals	Yes	Requirements differ for physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. However, generally, the candidate must Have a valid work permit, Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter, Have a permanent, full-time job offer, Must meet other requirements.
Hospitality Sector Project	Yes	Have a valid work permit for Food/Beverage Server (NOC 6453); Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6641); or Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6661), Be employed in Saskatchewan for at least six months, working for an approved employer; Have a permanent, full-time job offer from an approved employer; Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter; Have at least a high school education, Meet the language requirement of CLB 4.
Long Haul Truck Driver Project	Yes	Have been working for an approved trucking firm for at least six months with a work permit, Have a current Saskatchewan Class 1A driver’s license, Have a full-time, permanent job offer from their employer, Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter, and Meet the language requirement of CLB 4.
Students	Yes	Have graduated with a certificate, diploma, or degree outside or in Saskatchewan, Meet the language requirement of CLB 4, Have worked for at least six months in Saskatchewan, Hold a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), Have a permanent, full-time job offer in their field of study from a Saskatchewan employer in an eligible occupation, Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.

How it works:

You must first determine if you’re eligible for one of the sub-categories. Once you’re ready to apply, you can do so at SINP Apply Online.

Complete your application, upload all of the required documents in PDF format and submit. After you do this, you will receive an email confirming that your application was submitted.

Saskatchewan then assesses your application and makes a final decision. If you are successful, you will receive a provincial nomination. You can then use this nomination to apply for permanent residence directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Entrepreneur and Farm Category

Entrepreneur Sub-Category

This sub-category is for people who wish to invest in Saskatchewan by establishing, acquiring, or partnering in a business in the province. You’re expected to take on an active management role in the business.

Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category

This sub-category is for experienced farmers with a large capital who are looking to invest in a farming operation and settle in Saskatchewan.

Application Fee: CAD $2,500

Processing Time: 14 weeks

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD (or $300,000 through the Young Farmer Stream),
• Must have accumulated your net worth through legal means (verified to at least 80 percent).

Sub-Category	Additional Requirements
Entrepreneur Sub-Category	Must have at least three years of entrepreneurial experience within the past 10 years, Must have a minimum equity investment of $300,000 CAD in Regina or Saskatoon, or of $200,000 CAD in another Saskatchewan community. Must have a Business Establishment Plan (BEP); Must own at least one-third of the equity of a business in Saskatchewan (unless their total investment is $1,000,000 CAD or higher); Must create or maintain at least two jobs for Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents in Saskatchewan (if the business is in Regina or Saskatoon), If you’re purchasing a business in Saskatoon or Regina, you must maintain the number of Canadian or permanent resident workers at the time of purchase, You must live in Saskatchewan with your family, You must sign a business performance agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan, which will be provided by the SINP after the application is approved. The business must meet additional requirements.
Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category	Must have relevant farm operation knowledge and experience, Must have a viable, considered proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity. The Young Farmer Stream has additional requirements: Must have at least three years of experience in farm ownership, farm management, or practical farming experience, Must have the potential to supplement your farming income with your spouse/common-law partner's marketable employment skills, based on education and experience.

How the Entrepreneur Sub-Category works:

The Entrepreneur Category has four steps. First, you must register your Expression of Interest to the SINP, and you will be given a point score. Those with the highest points are selected in each draw.

If successful, you will be selected and invited to submit an application. You will then have to submit an application directly to the SINP through the SINP Apply Online system.

While your application is being assessed, you will be contacted for a final interview, after which you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for you to review and sign. You must email the BPA within 20 days. After submitting the BPA, you will then receive your SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter and a Temporary Work Permit Support letter.

The next step is to apply for a temporary work permit within three months, move to Saskatchewan, and establish your business. You must attend an arrival meeting within 18 months of the date on your SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter.

You must arrive in Saskatchewan within 18 months after receiving your first Temporary Work Permit Support letter.

After you transfer your funds to Canada, maintain legal status in Canada and run your business according to the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for at least six months, you can then request provincial nomination. With a nomination, you will be able to apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC.

How the Farm Owners and Operators Sub-Category works:

You must first make sure you have all the required documents. Include your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and an employee in your current farming operation in your application.

You may be contacted by the SINP if they need clarification, additional documents, or an interview.

If your application is successful, you will receive two documents:

• Nomination Approval and Request for Approval Letter
• Business Performance Agreement (BPA).

The letter will explain how you can make the refundable CAD $75,000 Good Faith Deposit by wire transfer. It must be received within three months.

Once the payment is received, and you sign the BPA and send it back, you will be receiving a provincial nomination.

With a nomination, you can then apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC.

Evaluating your net worth

The SINP evaluates your net worth through two financial service providers: 

Name of Service Provider	Contact Details
KPMG	333 Bay Street, Suite 4600 Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2S5 Phone: 416-777-3887 Email: SINPverification@kpmg.ca
MNP Ltd.	Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 0J3 Phone: 306-790-7900 Email: mnp.sinp@mnp.ca

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

This category is for international graduates of eligible post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan, who are planning to start a business. Approved candidates must operate and manage a business in Saskatchewan for at least a year to be eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

This category is for international students graduating from eligible post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan and who are planning to start a business in the province. Approved candidates will have to operate and manage a business in Saskatchewan for at least a year to be eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

Application Fee: None

Processing Time: 14 weeks

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old,
• Must have completed a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma that is at least two years in duration from a Saskatchewan designated learning institution,
• Must hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that is valid for at least two years,

• Must have lived in Saskatchewan for the duration of their academic program;
• Must meet the language requirement of CLB 7.

How it works:

The process is similar to the Entrepreneur Category. It also has four steps. First, you must register your Expression of Interest to the SINP, and you will be given a point score. Those with the highest points are selected in each draw.

If successful, you will be selected and invited to submit an application. You will then have to submit an application directly to the SINP through the SINP Apply Online system. You must also submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that corresponds to the information you submitted in your EOI.

If you pass this stage, you will have to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). This will be based on the BEP you submitted.

The next step is to actively operate your proposed business, within the terms of the BPA. You must fulfill the BPA requirements before your PGWP expires.

After the conditions of the BPA are met, you can then apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. With a nomination, you will be able to apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact us for Assistance

Cohen Immigration Law is a leading Canadian immigration law firm with over 45 years of experience. Cohen Immigration Law features over 60 immigration lawyers, paralegals, and professionals who are dedicated to helping you immigrate to Canada.

OSI was founded as the online presence of Cohen Immigration Law. Since its launch in 1994, OSI has grown into one of the globe's most trusted resources on Canadian immigration. If you want to immigrate to Canada through the PNP or another skilled worker pathway, the first step is to complete a free OSI assessment form. If you are eligible for Canadian immigration, a member of the Cohen Immigration Law team will reach out to provide you with as much assistance as possible.