Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has introduced major changes affecting foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in Canada. These updates include revised eligibility criteria, closing some immigration pathways, and restricting job approvals to specific sectors.
Key Changes to the SINP
The SINP overhaul includes:
- Resuming Job Approval Form (JAF) intake after a temporary pause.
- Restricting overseas job approvals to candidates in Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades.
- Closing Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator PR pathways permanently.
- Imposing nomination caps for certain industries.
- Removing some Open Work Permit holders from eligibility.
- Changing eligibility rules for international students.
- Barring specific employers from hiring through the SINP.
Job Approval Forms (JAFs) Now Open Again
As of March 27, 2025, Saskatchewan has resumed accepting Job Approval Forms (JAFs) from employers. JAFs allow employers to hire skilled foreign workers for permanent residence (PR) pathways. The SINP had previously paused JAF intake on February 18, 2025.
Employers can now submit new JAFs, but recruitment from outside Canada is now limited to workers in Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades. Saskatchewan also announced that 75% of its immigration nominations in 2025 will go to candidates already in the province on temporary status.
Priority for Job Approval Letters in Three Sectors
The SINP will prioritize overseas candidates in:
- Healthcare (Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Technologists)
- Agriculture (Farm Supervisors, Agricultural Technicians)
- Skilled Trades (Electricians, Welders, Heavy Equipment Technicians)
Job approvals in other sectors will only be given to workers already in Canada with valid work authorization.
Entrepreneur and Farm Streams Permanently Closed
The SINP has shut down the following pathways as of March 27, 2025:
- Entrepreneur Category
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
- Farm Owner/Operator Category
Candidates with active Expressions of Interest (EOI) will have their applications removed from the system. However, applications submitted before this date will still be processed.
Nomination Caps on Three Industries
Saskatchewan has set a 25% cap on total nominations for candidates in the following industries:
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Retail Trade
- Trucking
If this cap is reached, new applications will not be processed until the next year.
Some Open Work Permit Holders Now Ineligible
The SINP announced that some Open Work Permit (OWP) holders are now ineligible for PR pathways. This includes spousal work permit holders and possibly other categories. Further details on affected OWP types will be provided by the SINP.
The Saskatchewan government cited concerns about exploitation risks and poor retention rates as the reasons behind this change.
New Rules for International Students
Eligibility for the SINP Student Category is now restricted to graduates of Saskatchewan Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) who:
- Have completed at least 6 months (780 hours) of paid employment with a Saskatchewan employer in their field of study.
- Work experience can include on-campus jobs, off-campus jobs, co-op terms, or graduate fellowships.
- PGWP holders from outside Saskatchewan are no longer eligible under this category and must apply through alternative pathways such as:
- Student Talent Pathway
- Health Talent Pathway
- Agriculture Talent Pathway
- Skilled Worker: Employer Job Offer Sub-Categories
Certain Employers No Longer Eligible for SINP Recruitment
As of March 27, 2025, employers in these industries cannot recruit foreign workers through the SINP:
- Spas
- Salons
- Pet Care Services (excluding veterinarians)
Information Sessions for Employers and Applicants
The SINP will host two online information sessions on the changes. Interested individuals must register via email.
| Session Type | April 3, 2025 (CST) | April 9, 2025 (CST) |
|---|---|---|
| Prospective Applicants | 3:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Employers | 10:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
- Applicants must register at immigration@gov.sk.ca
- Employers must register at employerservices@gov.sk.ca
