A popular immigration category in Saskatchewan is accepting 500 new applications as of the morning of October 4, 2016. The International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan to make an application for a provincial nomination certificate, which may then be followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants do not require a job offer in order to make an application.
This SINP sub-category has reopened on a number of occasions in 2016, most recently on August 30, when the application intake cap was filled within a couple of days.
Among other eligibility requirements, applicants must be highly-skilled in an in-demand occupation in the province. The current list contains 21 occupations across a range of industries, notably in engineering, trades, agriculture, health care, and IT. A full list of in-demand occupations may be found below.
The International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category is a ‘base’ sub-category, meaning that it is not aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. It is possible that individuals who are not eligible for Express Entry (for example, because of language ability) — as well as individuals who are eligible for Express Entry but who have so far not received an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence — may be eligible for this SINP sub-category.
Note: The SINP website on the morning of October 4 stated that the International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category had also reopened. Upon being contacted by the CanadaVisa news team, SINP staff confirmed that this notice had been added in error and that the Express Entry sub-category had not, in fact, reopened.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements for SINP International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand
In order to be eligible under the Occupations In-Demand sub-category, applicants must:
- Have proof of legal status, if currently residing in Canada;
- Have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4;
- Have completed at least one year of post-secondary education or training comparable to the Canadian education system;
- The program of study must have resulted in a degree, diploma, certificate, or a certificate equivalent to a trade certificate.
- Have at least one-year of paid work experience in the past ten years related to their field of education or training, in a highly-skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) that is considered to be in-demand in Saskatchewan (See in-demand occupations list, below);
- Obtain proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if their profession is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensing;
- Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan; and
- Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the point assessment grid.
To review the points assessment grid, click here.
Occupations In-Demand
The table below represents the current list of in-demand occupations for the SINP International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category.
