Saskatchewan Engages With Federal System For Canadian Immigration, Opens Express Entry Stream

CIC News
Published: June 15, 2015

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has opened its Express Entry category for Canadian immigration under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This category enables the SINP to nominate individuals in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Express Entry pool and who have the education, skilled work experience, language ability and other factors to help them to successfully establish and integrate into Saskatchewan’s labour market and communities. Up to 775 nomination certificates will be issued under this stream of the SINP this year.

A successful nomination through this stream will result in successful applicants being awarded 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and an invitation to apply at a subsequent draw from the pool.

Located in the Prairie region of Western Canada, Saskatchewan is one of Canada's most economically stable provinces. Successful candidates and their families will obtain Canadian permanent residence, with the government of Canada aiming to process applications within six months of a complete application being submitted at the federal stage. As candidates are selected by the province from the federal Express Entry pool, all candidates must be eligible for one of the federal economic immigration programs:

In addition, candidates must score at least 60 points on the SINP point assessment grid. Points are awarded on the basis of five factors:

Selection factor Points
Education & Training Maximum 23 points
Work experience Maximum 15 points
Language ability Maximum 20 points
Age Maximum 12 points
Connection to SK labour market & adaptability Maximum 30 points*
Pass mark: 60 points

*Close relative = 20 points. The relative must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Saskatchewan – includes: parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin and step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships.

*Previous work experience in Saskatchewan = 5 points. The applicant worked in Saskatchewan for at least twelve months in the past five years on a valid work permit.

*Previous student experience in Saskatchewan = 5 points. The applicant studied at a recognized Saskatchewan education institution for at least one full time academic year on a valid study permit.

Candidates must:

  • demonstrate proficiency in either English or French, in order to enter the Express Entry pool. Language ability is determined by the candidate sitting a standardised language test, the most common of which are the IELTS or CELPIP for English and TEF for French; and
  • have completed a minimum of one year of post-secondary education or training that has resulted in a degree, diploma, certificate, or a certificate equivalent to a trade certificate and which is comparable to the Canadian education system, as verified by an Educational Credential Assessment.

A potential candidate must also demonstrate a minimum level of work experience related to his or her field of education or training. This work experience may be either:

  • at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades); or
  • at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
  • at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades). This work experience must be in a high skilled occupation (NOC “0”, “A” or “B”) that is considered to be in-demand in Saskatchewan.

A complete list of in-demand occupations can be found at the end of this article.

 

The application process

Candidates eligible for and interested in applying to the Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category should follow these steps:

  1. Submit an online profile on CIC’s Express Entry immigration selection system and get accepted into the Express Entry pool.
  2. Apply to the SINP for provincial nomination. Documents and all forms need to be attached to the SINP application. If approved for a nomination, the SINP will enter the details of the nomination into CIC’s Express Entry system and send a nomination letter to the candidate explaining the next steps.
  3. After the SINP enters the nomination information into a candidate’s Express Entry profile, he or she will be awarded an additional 600 points for a nomination under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System  and receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool. From the moment a candidate receives an invitation to apply for permanent residence, he or she will have 60 days to submit an application for permanent residence.

To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, including immigration streams under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, please fill out a free online assessment today.

Saskatchewan quick facts:

Capital: Regina

Largest city: Saskatoon

Population: 1,132,640

Main language: English

Climate: High seasonal variation, with warm summers, very cold and snowy winters, and short, mild transitional seasons.

Learn more about Saskatchewan

 

In-Demand occupations:

NOC Occupation Skill Level
Mandatory certification
0711 Construction Managers 0 No
1111 Financial auditors and accountants A Yes
2131 Civil Engineers A Yes
2132 Mechanical Engineers A Yes
2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers A Yes
2161 Mathematicians, Statisticians, and Consultants A No
2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants A No
2173 Software Engineers and Designers A Yes
2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers A No
2211 Chemical Technologists and Technicians B No
2221 Biological Technologists and Technicians B No
2222 Agricultural and Fish Products Inspectors B No
2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians B No
2234 Construction Estimators B No
2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians B No
2242 Electronic Service Technicians (household and business equipment) B No
2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians B No
2254 Land Survey Technologists and Technicians B No
2281 Computer Network Technicians B No
2282 User Support Technicians B No
2283 Systems Testing Technicians B No
4121 University Professors A No
4163 Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants A No
6221 Technical Sales Specialists, Wholesale Trade B No
7215 Contractors and Supervisors, carpentry trades B No
7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews B No
7219 Contractors and Supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers B No
7222 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators B No
7231 Machinists and Machining and Tooling inspectors B No
7232 Tool and Die Makers B No
7233 Sheet Metal Workers B Yes
7235 Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters B No
7237 Welders and Related Machine Operators B No
7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system) B Yes
7242 Industrial Electricians B Yes
7246 Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers B No
7251 Plumbers B Yes
7252 Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers B No
7271 Carpenters B No
7281 Bricklayers B No
7282 Concrete Finishers B No
7283 Tilesetters B No
7284 Plasterers, Drywall Installers, Finishers and Lathers B No
7291 Roofers and Shinglers B No
7292 Glaziers B No
7293 Insulators B No
7294 Painters and Decorators B No
7295 Floor Covering Installers B No
7302 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Equipment Operator Crews B No
7305 Supervisors, Motor Transport B No
7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (except textile) B No
7312 Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics B No
7313 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics B Yes
7316 Machine Fitters B No
7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers B No
7322 Motor Vehicle Body Repairers B No
8232 Oil and Gas Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers B No
8252 Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, Specialized Livestock Workers B No
9212 Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemcial Processing and Utilities B No
9213 Supervisors, Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing B No

*Mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensing is required for certain occupations.

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Top Stories
Are you eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner for Canadian immigration?
Report identifies occupations set for salary increases in Canada in 2025
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Citizenship
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
A young woman sits at a table with books and a laptop.
How can I apply for Canadian citizenship?
A picture of a girl holding two Canadian flags
Here’s what you can expect during your virtual citizenship ceremony in Canada
A woman in a red blazer smiles while sitting in front of a laptop.
What’s the difference between Canadian permanent residency and Canadian citizenship?
A person with a packed bag stands on a road with the Canadian flag in front of them.
Link copied to clipboard