Recently, Saskatchewan announced plans to expand the eligibility criteria for provincial workers seeking permanent residence (PR) under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), which is part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is expanding its Existing Work Permit stream to offer temporary foreign workers in lower- and intermediate-skilled positions the chance to pursue permanent residency by fulfilling the remaining program requirements.
Saskatchewan is also aiming to have 1.4 million residents over the next six years.
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Who Benefits from the Expansion?
Saskatchewan’s recent announcement means good news for workers in different occupations. Workers in over 279 different occupations, ranging from truck drivers to retail sales staff, nurses’ aides, and more, can now apply for permanent residency through SINP.
Until now, only high-skilled and designated trades workers had the chance to apply for permanent residency through the Existing Work Permit stream of the SINP.
How to Apply Under the New Stream:
To be eligible for the recently expanded stream, applicants must satisfy the criteria specific to the stream as well as meet the general eligibility requirements of the SINP. This includes:
Work Permit Requirements:
Ensure you possess an eligible open work permit, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) supported work permit, francophone mobility work permit, or a Canadian Ukrainian Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa.
Job Approval Letter:
Obtain a valid SINP job approval letter. This letter is your ticket to demonstrating your connection to the province and the specific job you’re engaged in.
Work Experience:
Accumulate six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience in the same job mentioned in your approval letter. This demonstrates your commitment and contribution to the Saskatchewan workforce.
Language Proficiency:
Achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 4 if your job falls within the TEER 4 or 5 occupations. Language proficiency is a key factor in ensuring successful integration into the community.
Licensure (if applicable):
If your occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan, make sure you have the eligible licensure. This is a crucial step for occupations with specific regulatory requirements.
Who is Not Eligible Under These Changes?
While the expansion brings new opportunities, certain categories of individuals are not eligible under this immigration stream. It’s essential to be aware of these exclusions:
Food and Beverage Servers:
Instead, they are encouraged to apply under the Hospitality Sector Pilot Project, providing a tailored approach to their unique skills.
Truck Drivers:
Truck drivers have alternative routes and are advised to apply under the Long Haul Truck Driver Project or the Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot.
Health Professionals:
Health professionals are directed to the SINP Health Professional Sub-category for their specific immigration pathway.
Graduates with PGWP:
Graduates currently working with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are recommended to explore the Saskatchewan Experience – Student Sub-category or the International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer Sub-category.
Refugee Claimants:
Refugee claimants claiming refugee status in Canada are not eligible under this stream.
Why Saskatchewan Needs Immigrants:
The provincial government has secured an increased allocation of immigration nominees for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
With over 16,000 current job vacancies and an anticipated 112,000 job openings in the next five years, Saskatchewan is actively seeking skilled workers to contribute to its growing economy.
