Foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will now face updated eligibility criteria, with several streams closing.
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Key changes to the SINP include:
- Resumption of intake for Job Approval Forms (JAFs);
- Limited recruitment of overseas workers to sectors such as Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades for job approvals;
- Closure of the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator PR pathways;
- Implementation of nomination caps for candidates in three specific sectors of Saskatchewan’s economy;
- Removal of eligibility for certain Open Work Permit holders;
- Restrictions on eligibility for the SINP’s Student Category;
- Exclusion of three employer types from recruitment eligibility.
Resumption of JAF Intake
As of March 27, 2025, the SINP has resumed accepting new Job Approval Forms (JAFs), after pausing intake on February 18, 2025. Employers in Saskatchewan who wish to hire foreign workers can now submit JAFs for job-offer-based permanent residence (PR) pathways under the SINP. The SINP has stated there are no anticipated pauses in JAF intake for the remainder of 2025.
This year, 75% of Saskatchewan’s provincial immigration allocation will be dedicated to candidates already in the province on temporary status, limiting recruitment from outside Canada to workers in three key sectors.
Priority Sectors for JAF Approval
The SINP will prioritize approval for job offers in the following sectors:
- Health
- Agriculture
- Skilled Trades
Candidates outside Canada working in these sectors will receive priority for JAF approval, enabling them to work in Saskatchewan. For other sectors, recruitment will only be supported for candidates already in Canada on a valid work permit or authorization.
Closure of Entrepreneur and Farm Streams
The SINP has closed the following streams as of March 27, 2025:
- Entrepreneur Category
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
- Farm Owner/Operator Category
Candidates with an Expression of Interest (EOI) under these pathways will no longer proceed in the PR process, and their EOIs will be removed from the SINP system. Applications submitted before this date will still be processed under the previous criteria. The SINP has indicated that these pathways will not reopen in the near future.
Nomination Caps for Specific Sectors
Nomination caps have been introduced for three sectors:
- Accommodations and Food Services
- Retail Trade
- Trucking
A maximum of 25% of the SINP’s total annual nominations can be used for candidates in these industries combined. The cap will be reviewed annually. Once the cap is reached, JAFs for these sectors will expire, and employers will need to resubmit JAFs in the new year if more job approvals are needed.
Ineligibility for Some Open Work Permit Holders
The SINP has updated its eligibility criteria to exclude certain Open Work Permit (OWP) holders, such as those on spousal work permits, from applying through the program. Further details on which other OWP holders will be affected are awaited.
The SINP explained that this change aims to address “high risks of exploitation” and “poor retention outcomes,” aligning with the program’s goal to attract skilled newcomers for stable, long-term economic contributions.
Changes to SINP Student Category
Eligibility for the Student Category has been limited to graduates from Saskatchewan Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) who have completed at least six months (780 hours) of paid work in their field of study with a Saskatchewan employer. This work experience can be gained through various channels, including on-campus, off-campus, co-op terms, or Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP).
In addition, PGWP holders who studied at institutions outside Saskatchewan are no longer eligible for this pathway. These applicants are encouraged to apply through other available pathways, such as the Student Talent, Health Talent, Agriculture Talent, or Skilled Worker categories.
Exclusion of Three Employer Types from Recruitment
As of March 27, 2025, the SINP will no longer accept recruitment requests from the following employers:
- Spas
- Salons
- Pet Care Services (excluding veterinarians)
Information Sessions for Interested Parties
The SINP will host information sessions on April 3 and 9, 2025, for both employers and prospective applicants to discuss these changes. Registration is required by email:
- Prospective Applicants: 3 p.m. (April 3) and 10 a.m. (April 9) – email immigration@gov.sk.ca
- Employers: 10 a.m. (April 3) and 3 p.m. (April 9) – email employerservices@gov.sk.ca
