Canadian Immigration Stream in Saskatchewan Capped Out Within a Week

CIC News
Published: October 6, 2015

SINP International Skilled Workers – Occupations In-Demand reaches allocation intake of 1,000

The popular International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) reached its allocation intake of 1,000 complete applications for the most recent application cycle, which was open for just one week from September 21 to September 28.

Applicants with work experience in one of 57 eligible occupations who had prepared documents in advance and reacted swiftly when the program reopened were able to submit an application in time. A number of applicants credited CICNews with bringing their attention to the news that the stream had reopened, with one reader commenting ‘Thanks for this advice. My application was accepted on September 25, three days before the ceiling was reached.’

This sub-category had previously opened in January, 2015, but the intake threshold filled within days, showing how popular Saskatchewan is among candidates for Canadian immigration. The Prairie province has had the lowest unemployment rate of any Canadian province or territory for each of the past 22 months.

Getting a head start: the key to a successful application

“What the Saskatchewan experience last month taught many potential applicants for Canadian immigration was that waiting around until a program opens and only then beginning to gather information and supporting documents is not a proactive strategy. Indeed, it a strategy that often ends in disappointment,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“While it’s impossible to say with certainty when the International Skilled Workers – Occupations In-Demand stream may reopen and under what criteria, we can analyze recent trends and local factors and make a fair determination that preparing in advance of the next application cycle is the best way forward.

“Most of the eligible occupations are managerial or trades roles, and Saskatchewan, with one of the most stable economies in Canada and the lowest unemployment rate nationwide, is unlikely to make sweeping changes to the eligible occupations list from one application cycle to the next. While this is never a certainty, a potential candidate who would have been eligible for the most recent application cycle can prepare in advance with a degree of confidence that he or she would still be eligible if and when the stream reopens.” added Attorney Cohen.

“In the event that a candidate does not end up being eligible — perhaps, for example, because the province could tweak the eligible occupations list — he or she has nonetheless laid the groundwork for reacting quickly when other Canadian immigration programs are unveiled or reopened. Many programs require applicants to submit the same types of documents with their application.”

The most recent criteria 

Eligible applicants to the SINP International Skilled Workers - Occupations In-Demand stream did not necessarily require a job offer in order to make an application. Applicants had to obtain at least 60 points under a points grid, with up to 30 points available for a candidate’s connection to the Saskatchewan labour market and adaptability factors.

To be eligible under the most recent International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the SINP, applicants without a Canadian job offer must:

  • score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the point assessment grid (see below);
  • have a minimum language score in English or French of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4;
  • have completed a minimum of one year of post-secondary education or training which is comparable to the Canadian education system and has resulted in a degree, diploma, certificate, or a certificate equivalent to a trade certificate (that is verifiable);
  • have a minimum of one-year paid work experience in the past ten years related to their field of education or training. Work experience must be in an occupation that is considered to be in-demand in Saskatchewan (see below); and
  • have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.

The points assessment grid

Candidates must obtain at least 60 points under the following criteria.

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

To view a full breakdown of each selection factor, please click here.

Occupations In-Demand

Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in the past ten years in one of the following in-demand occupations. If this work experience is in an occupation that is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory certification or licensing, candidates are required to obtain proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure in order to be able to work in that profession before they apply to the SINP.

NOC Occupation Skill Level Mandatory certification
0711 Construction Managers 0 No
2131 Civil Engineers A Yes
2132 Mechanical Engineers A Yes
2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers A Yes
2161 Mathematicians, Statisticians, and Actuaries 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
4011 University Professors and Lecturers A No
4163 Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants A No
6221 Technical Sales Specialists, Wholesale Trade B No
7204 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades B No
7205 Contractors and Supervisors, Other Construction Trades, Installers, Repairers and Servicers 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

To learn more and find out if you are eligible for immigration to Canada under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Programor any of more than 60 Canadian immigration programs, 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, cold and snowy winters, and short, mild transitional seasons.

Learn more about Saskatchewan

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