Saskatchewan

Capital: Regina

Population: 1.18 million

Climate: Spring and Autumn see temperatures around 15° C with summers as high as mid-30s C. Winter months can hover between -10° to -19° C.

Must see: Grasslands National Park

Known for: Agriculture

Learn more at www.saskatchewan.ca

For job search try www.saskjobs.ca with more tips available here

Known for sprawling plains that appear to go on for days, the province of Saskatchewan actually holds incredibly diverse land. In the great Sandhills of southwestern Saskatchewan you can see surprisingly desert-like sand dunes, visit provincial parks with large dark sky preserves for incredible views of stars and planets with helpful guided astronomy programs, and float in Little Manitou Lake, formed by receding glaciers which has long been used by Saskatchewan's First Nations as a healing lake due to its high mineral content. Living in Saskatchewan can provide a great quality of life, with some lifestyle benefits such as more affordable housing, lower provincial sales tax and the Graduate Retention Program. More information about Saskatchewan specific settlement services can be found here.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Programs (SINP) offer opportunities to people who are interested in settling in this province through targeting skilled workers, entrepreneurs and agricultural workers. Most pathways require an expression of interest (EOI) under that category. Successful candidates will receive an invitation to apply for the SINP. Invitations are issued based on points, candidates with higher points will have a greater chance of receiving an invitation. The number of nominations SINP can make is set by the Federal government each year.

Saskatchewan immigration starting guide

International Skilled Worker Categories:

Occupation In-Demand

This category is for skilled workers who don't have a job offer in Saskatchewan but are highly skilled in an in-demand occupation. Candidates outside Canada qualify as well as residing in Canada with legal status. Work experience must be:

in a high skilled occupation - NOC 0, A or B
minimum one year, full-time (30 hours/week) paid work
within past 10 years
in a field related to your education
considered in-demand in Saskatchewan at time of application
not on the list of excluded occupations

Criteria for this stream is subject to change and often includes the following requirements:

have completed post-secondary education
score the required points on the SINP assessment grid, out of 110
meet required language test results
have a settlement plan
proof of sufficient financial resources for immigration

Apply via an expression of interest (EOI)

Employment Offer

If you have an offer for a skilled job in Saskatchewan, this category may work for you. Your job offer must be in a NOC 0, A or B position or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan, and a valid SINP Job Approval Letter is required. Exclusions are as follows:

Food and beverage servers/persons
Health occupations that are not eligible for the International Healthcare Worker EOI Pool are excluded. For these occupations you will need to see the Saskatchewan Experience Health Professionals sub-category

Additional requirements are:

score at minimum 60 points on the SINP assessment grid
have language score at CLN 4. Note some employers or regulators may require higher language scores.
be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing if your occupation requires it
a demonstrated genuine intention to settle in Saskatchewan

Tech Talent Pathway

This category is for high skilled technology and innovation sector workers who have a job offer in Saskatchewan. You can apply to this stream two ways.

Express Entry:

meet the federal express entry language requirements
have a valid express entry profile and job seeker code

Non-Express Entry

provide language test results at CLB 5 or higher - or -
if you are currently working for the employer offering you the job, meet the language requirements established in your job offer. Your employer will be assessing your language ability

Additional criteria includes the following requirements:

one year, full-time work experience in your intended occupation within the past five years. If you already live in Saskatchewan and work for the employer offering your job, only six months experience is required
have a post-secondary education related to the job you have been offered
have a SINP Job Approval Letter confirming your offer for full-time employment in an eligible technology or innovation sector job
be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing (dependant on occupation)
attest to your intention to live and work in Saskatchewan

Only certain high-skilled technology and innovation occupations are eligible for this stream

Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot

This category is for intermediate and low-skilled workers who have a job offer in Saskatchewan in an eligible, high-demand occupation. Additional requirements are:

one year, full-time work experience in your intended occupation within the past three years. If your work experience is in Saskatchewan, only six months is required
have language test scores at a minimum of CLB 4. Some employers or regulators may require higher results
completed a minimum equivalent of Canadian secondary education (high school)
have a SINP Job Approval Letter confirming your offer for full-time, permanent employment in an eligible occupation
attest to your intention to live and work in Saskatchewan

Only certain occupations are eligible for this stream.

Saskatchewan Express Entry

This category is for skilled workers who qualify for the federal express entry program and who want to settle in Saskatchewan.

Requirements are:

have a valid express entry profile number and job seeker code
score minimum 60 points on the SINP assessment grid
have language test results that meet the express entry requirements
completed at minimum one year post-secondary education that earned you a degree, certificate or diploma
have eligible work experience
proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan

The points claimed on your EOI will determine the likelihood of receiving an invitation.

Saskatchewan Experience:

Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit

This category is for skilled workers who have been working in Saskatchewan for more than six months on a valid work permit, and have a job offer from the same employer. The job offer must be for the same career you have been working in. You must hold a valid work permit under one of the following programs:

Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program
International Experience Canada
Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Additional requirements are:

a permanent full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. Must be NOC 0, A or B, or in a designated trade
have a valid SINP job approval letter
have language test results at a minimum of CLB 4
can prove you are eligible for Saskatchewan licensing, if applicable
proof of intention to settle in Saskatchewan

The points claimed on your EOI will determine the likelihood of receiving an invitation.

Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit

This category is for workers in NOC 8431 and 8432, who have been working in Saskatchewan for more than six months on a valid work permit and have a job offer from the same employer. The job offer must be for the same career you have been working in. You must hold a valid work permit under one of the following programs:

Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program
International Experience Canada
Temporary Foreign Worker Program

You must have a full-time, permanent job offer in one of the following NOCs:

NOC 8431 General Farm Worker
NOC 8432 Nursery and Greenhouse Worker

Additional requirements are:

have a valid SINP job approval letter
have language test results at a minimum of CLB 4
have completed the equivalent of Canadian secondary school (high school)
proof of intention to settle in Saskatchewan

Graduates working on PGWPs must apply through Saskatchewan Experience - Student or International Worker - Employment Offer

Hospitality Sector Project

This category is for foreign workers who are currently working in Saskatchewan for more than six months on a temporary work permit and for a SINP Hospitality-approved employer. You must be currently working in one of the following jobs on a valid LMIA based work permit:

NOC 6513 - Food/Beverage Server
NOC 6711 - Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper
NOC 6731 - House Keeping/Cleaning Staff

Additional requirements are:

have a permanent full-time job offer from an approved Saskatchewan Hospitality employer.
have a valid SINP job approval letter
have language test results at a minimum of CLB 4
have education at a minimum of grade 12 or equivalent
proof of intention to settle in Saskatchewan

Your employer must have been approved by the SINP to participate in the Hospitality Sector Project before you began your work there in order for this experience to count.

Long-Haul Truck Driver Project

This category is for long-haul truck drivers working in Saskatchewan on an LMIA based temporary work permit for an approved trucking firm. If the approved trucking firm offers permanent employment, the foreign worker may apply to the SINP after six months of employment.

Additional requirements are:

have a permanent full-time job offer from an approved trucking firm in Saskatchewan.
have a valid SINP Job Approval letter
have language test results at a minimum of CLB 4 for English language
have a current Saskatchewan Class 1A driver's licence
proof of intention to live and work in Saskatchewan

Students

This category is for international students who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada and earned either a certificate, diploma or degree. This category requires paid work experience in Saskatchewan in one the following categories for a minimum of six months:

On-campus
Off-campus
Co-op terms
Graduate fellowships that can be verified by your institution
Work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit

Additional requirements are:

you currently hold a valid post-graduate work permit
have a permanent full-time job offer in your field of study from an approved Saskatchewan employer. The job must be NOC 0, A or B or in a designated trade, and require post-secondary education related to your field of study
have a valid SINP job approval letter
have language test results at a minimum of CLB 4
proof of intention to live and work in Saskatchewan

Students who studied outside of Saskatchewan must have gained their six months work experience after graduation on their PGWP.

Health Professionals

This category is for skilled workers who have been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months under a temporary work permit as a:

Physician
Nurse
Other health professional

Criteria for this pathway depends on the profession, eligibility to practice in your field in Saskatchewan is required for all. Read more about your requirements here.

Entrepreneur Category

This category is for foreign nationals who wish to obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan. Candidates must be actively involved in managing it while residing in Saskatchewan. The steps for this process are:

Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP
EOI selection and invitation to submit an application
Business establishment
Nomination

EOI selection is based on points and applications are processed in the order received. Candidates cannot change their business plan after applying and cannot change their Business Performance Agreement after SINP approval. Criteria is not limited to but includes:

have a minimum of $500,000 CAD in net business and personal assests
minimum three years of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience in past ten years
Plant to invest a minimum of $300,000 CAD in Regina and Saskatoon, or a minimum of $200,000 in all other Saskatchewan communities

Additional requirements apply to this stream.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

This category is for international students graduating from a Saskatchewan institution, who want to become an entrepreneur. The steps for this process are:

Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP
EOI selection and invitation to submit an application
Business establishment
Nomination

Minimum eligibility criteria to submit an EOI is:

are at least 21 years of age
have completed a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma of at least two years from an eligible Saskatchewan institution
have a valid PGWP, with at least 24 months remaining
have lived in Saskatchewan during their academic program (distance learning and accelerate programs are not eligible
have a minimum CLB level of 7

Additional requirements apply to this stream.

Farm Owner and Operator Category

This category is for foreign nationals who want to move to Saskatchewan and have experience in farming, capital to invest in a farming operation, and plan to buy and run a farm in Saskatchewan. This category is only for business in primary agricultural production (crops and livestock).

Minimum eligibility criteria is:

proof of net worth of $500,000 (CAD)
sign a performance agreement with a deposit of $75,000 (CAD)
exploratory visit to Saskatchewan for at least 10 working days
documentation that demonstrates you are an experienced farm operator
a proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity

Additional criteria applies and are broken down between Farm Owners and Operators and Farm Owners and Operators - Young Farmer Stream.