5 Things to Know About the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Are you interested in immigrating to Saskatchewan - the prairie province of Canada? Then you might want to learn more about the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) that has welcomed over 77,300 successful nominees from 2007-2017.

Saskatchewan is ideally nestled between the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Alberta and borders the states of Montana and North Dakota to the south. It’s the 7th largest province in Canada with thriving economic sectors in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, oil, and gas as well as life sciences. It’s also known for being one of the easiest provinces to immigrate to in Canada. Discover five interesting facts about immigrating to Saskatchewan in 2021 below.

 What is the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)?

saskatchewan-map-canada | immigrate-to-saskatchewan

The SINP exists to bring the benefits of immigration to the province. Foreign workers and international graduates fill skills and labour shortages most prevalent in Saskatchewan. They also establish businesses that create more jobs for Saskatonians and boost the local economy. International skilled workers apply to the SINP for nomination certificates which enables them to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

5 Things You Should Know About the SINP in 2021

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1. You can immigrate to Saskatchewan without a job offer

Saskatchewan is one of the easiest provinces to move to without a job offer. Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker Category has two popular active streams that don’t require job offers. Find out how you can immigrate to Saskatchewan below!

International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry

Expression of Interest Saskatchewan

This immigration category works in conjunction with the Express Entry system to welcome skilled foreign workers applying from outside of Canada to Saskatchewan. You don’t need a job offer to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry but you will need to create an Express Entry profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Saskatchewan. EOI submission is not an application to the SINP but rather a pre-application to show your interest in the province and your qualifications.

EOI Profile

After creating your Express Entry profile you will be required to create an EOI profile. You will be asked to provide information about yourself and be assessed according to the Saskatchewan Points Grid. The most important criteria is to have work experience that is not on the excluded occupations list.

EOI Candidate Pool and Selection

You will be entered into the EOI candidate pool with a score and the highest-scoring candidates will be identified and selected.

Invitation to Apply

EOI profiles are drawn from the system and those selected receive an Invitation to Apply.

Application

You will have 60 days to submit a complete online application to the SINP and provide documents.

SINP Assessment

Your EOI profile will remain valid for one year until you receive a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan. You are free to edit your profile to increase your points. Receiving a nomination awards you an additional 600 CRS points, guaranteeing that you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.

International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand

This is yet another immigration category that doesn't require you to have arranged employment in Saskatchewan. You must, however, have at least one year of work experience in one of the positions not listed on the excluded occupations list of Saskatchewan (see above).

Good to know: The majority of eligible occupations under the SINP's Express Entry and In-Demand Occupation sub-categories are unregulated and do not require professional licensure.

2. Truck drivers, servers, and nurses are in-demand

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There are three occupation-specific projects under the International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer immigration category. They are designed for foreign workers in specific occupations currently in Saskatchewan working for employers on valid temporary foreign work permits based on positive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). The candidates must have been working for the employer for at least six months prior to applying for nominations from the SINP.

International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer
Hospitality Sector Project Occupations
Candidates who have worked for a SINP Hospitality-approved employer for a minimum of 6 months Food/Beverage Server (NOC 6513)
Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6711)
Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6731)
Health Professional Sector Project Occupations
Candidates who have worked in Saskatchewan full-time for a minimum of 6 months Licensed Practical Nurses
Registered Nurses
Physicians
Other Health Professions supported by the appropriate regional health authority
Long-Haul Truck Driver Project Occupations
Candidates who have worked for a SINP-approved Trucking Firm for a minimum of 6 months Long Haul Truck Driver, NOC 7511.

Find out how to apply for a Canadian work visa here.

3. International graduates in Saskatchewan can apply for permanent residency

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Studying in Saskatchewan is one of the easiest ways to permanently settle in the province. International student graduates who attended the University of Saskatoon or the University of Regina among other designated learning institutions in Saskatchewan may qualify for the Saskatchewan Student Subcategory.

Saskatchewan Student Subcategory

Along with their newly achieved certificate, diploma or degree, international graduates must have at least six months of work experience gained in Saskatchewan. Eligible work experience includes on-or-off campus work, internships, or work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit. What’s more, they must also have full-time job offers from employers in Saskatchewan in their fields of study.

4. It costs $350 to apply to the SINP

Provincial nominee program application fees

On top of being one of the easiest provinces to immigrate to in Canada, Saskatchewan is also cheaper than the majority of other top Canadian provinces. You will be expected to pay a $350 non-refundable processing fee to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program when you submit an application for a nomination.

5. SINP applications take on average 4-37 weeks to process

Applications for Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker Category tend to take longer to process because the applicants are applying from outside of Canada. The average processing time for this immigration category ranges from four weeks to 37 weeks. On the other hand, applications for the Saskatchewan Experience Category can be processed in as little as seven days because the applicants are already residing in Canada with valid work or study permits.

SINP Application Processing Times
Immigration Category Average Processing Time
Employment Offer 4 weeks
Occupation In-Demand 35 weeks
Express Entry 37 weeks
Employment Offer 1 week
International Students 1 week

Bonus: Cost of Living in Saskatchewan in 2021

Saskatchewan prairie province of canada

So, is Saskatchewan the right choice for you and your family? Well, the great news is that the cost of living in Saskatchewan is $1,367 which is 1.23 times less than in other more expensive Canadian provinces such as Ontario, and British Columbia. Housing costs are lower in Saskatchewan than in most major cities in Canada, and owning a home is affordable and achievable for most people. Saskatchewan also boasts the strongest job growth and lowest unemployment rate in Canada for the second consecutive month in 2021.

Cost of living in Saskatchewan infographic

Source: Cost of Living in Saskatchewan | Canada

When living in Saskatchewan, you can look forward to a vibrant art and culture scene, scenic provincial parks, and plenty of sports and recreation opportunities!

Immigrate to Saskatchewan, Canada

Do you want to immigrate to Saskatchewan? As one of the easiest provinces to immigrate to in Canada, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a great way to achieve a new life in Canada. With more job opportunities and a lower cost of living, Saskatchewan is a popular destination for potential immigrants. Secure your and your family's place in the beautiful Canadian province by enlisting the help of experienced and certified visa consultants. We take care of the entire process on your behalf so that you can enjoy better results sooner!