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Saskatchewan Increases Intake for Popular Immigration Sub-Categories

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has increased the annual application intake thresholds for two popular immigration sub-categories of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), with more applications likely to be accepted before the end of 2017.

Increased allocations have been assigned to the SINP International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category and the International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

Since first being launched in 2015, both of these SINP sub-categories have proved popular among a diverse range of applicants. Neither sub-category requires applicants to have a job offer from a Canadian employer, and successful applicants receive a provincial nomination, which may be used to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence. The spouse/common-law partner of the applicant, as well as dependent children, may also be included on the application.

Applicants under either sub-category must have work experience in an occupation that is in demand by the province of Saskatchewan and score at least 60 points out of 100 on the SINP assessment grid.

The Occupations In-Demand sub-category category results in successful applicants obtaining a nomination certificate, which can then be used to then apply for Canadian permanent residence outside the federal Express Entry immigration system. This stream may be attractive to individuals who have not entered the Express Entry pool, as it has a lower minimum language requirement (Canadian Language Benchmark level 4) than any program managed under the Express Entry system.

The Express Entry sub-category requires candidates to have an existing Express Entry profile. Successful applicants obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, placing them at the head of the line for selection in a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool. After being selected, candidates can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, with IRCC processing most applications within six months.

Quotas

Each of these sub-categories have opened multiple times in 2017, often reaching their intake within days. The most recent application intake period for the Occupations In-Demand sub-category occurred in August, 2017, when it opened for 1,200 applications and filled within a day. The Express Entry sub-category most recently opened in July to 600 applicants, filling within four days.

August 22 announcement

The government of Saskatchewan announced online on August 22 that the maximum number of applications that may be accepted under these SINP International Skilled Worker sub-categories would increase, pointing to potential future intake periods for these sub-categories, both of which operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This information was confirmed by SINP staff when contacted by CICNews.

Category Previous Max. Number of Applications Current Max. Number of Applications Increase %
Express Entry 1,700 2,600 53%
Occupations In-Demand 3,000 3,300 10%

The addition of 900 additional applications under the Express Entry sub-category represents an increase of 53 percent from the previous stated maximum number of applications.

“Based on previous intake periods, potential applicants to the Express Entry sub-category may only be able to successfully submit an application and obtain a provincial nomination if they prepare in advance. The SINP does not give advance warning as to exactly when an intake period may take place, meaning that individuals who prepare in advance are better positioned to submit an application when the sub-category suddenly reopens for new applications. The range of documentation required from applicants by the SINP is more extensive than the documentation required to create an Express Entry profile,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“Similarly, potential applicants to the Occupations In-Demand sub-category are more likely to be successful if they are prepared to submit an application as quickly as possible upon the sub-category reopening, as intake periods for this sub-category have also typically been short.”

Occupations list

Near the end of July, the occupations list for both sub-categories was expanded to include 42 occupations, around half of which require applicants to have obtained professional licensure from a designated organization before the SINP may process the application.

A slight change to the list was made soon after, with one occupation removed and another added. It cannot be predicted with certainty whether the government of Saskatchewan will make additional changes, or if these sub-categories will reopen with the current eligibility criteria.

No licensure required

NOC Occupation
0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
0423 Managers in social, community and correctional services
1112 Financial and investment analysts
1122 Managers in Professional occupations in business management consulting
1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
2211 Chemical technologists and technicians
2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
2121 Biologists and related scientists
2123 Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
2225 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
2253 Drafting technologists and technicians
0811 Managers in natural resources production and fishing
0821 Managers in agriculture
0911 Manufacturing managers
0912 Utilities managers

Professional licensure required

NOC Occupation Non-resident of Canada pathway to licencure
0211 Engineering managers Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
2131 Civil engineers Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
2132 Mechanical engineers Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
2133 Electrical and electronics engineers Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
2141 Industrial and manufacturing engineers Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
2151 Architects Refer to Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) notes
2154 Land surveyors Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS)
2173 Software engineers and designers Canadian Association of Information Technology Professionals (CIPS)
2175 Web designers and developer Canadian Association of Information Technology Professionals (CIPS)
4151 Psychologists College of Psychologists
4212 Social and community service workers Canadian Association of Social Workers
4214 Early childhood educators and assistants Ministry of Education
3211 Medical laboratory technologists Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists
3216 Medical sonographers Sonography Canada
6331 Meat cutters Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7231 Machinists Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7272 Cabinetmakers Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7311 Industrial mechanics Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7322 Motor vehicle body repairers Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
7237 Welders Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)
To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, the first step to immigrating to Canada through the SINP International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category, please fill out a free online assessment today.
If you have work experience in an in-demand occupation listed above, please contact sinp@canadavisa.com to learn more about the next steps. Note that applicants to the Occupations In-Demand sub-category do not necessarily need to have an Express Entry profile.

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