Saskatchewan invites Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand candidates at lowest ever points requirement

A total of 438 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination were issued to Saskatchewan immigration candidates in the latest Expression of Interest system invitation round that took place on September 27.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) announced that 225 invitations went out to candidates under the program’s Express Entry sub-category and the remaining 213 invitations were issued to candidates in the Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

The minimum score for Express Entry candidates was 65 points while the score for Occupations In-Demand candidates was one point higher, at 66.

Two pathways to Canadian permanent residence

After receiving an invitation to apply through either of these sub-categories, candidates can submit a complete provincial nomination application to the Government of Saskatchewan.

With a nomination from the province of Saskatchewan, Express Entry candidates obtain an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, out of a possible 1,200 points, in the federal government’s Express Entry selection system. This means these candidates will be well-positioned to obtain an Invitation to Apply in an upcoming federal draw.

The SINP also invited candidates who did not have a profile in Canada's Express Entry pool through its Occupation In-Demand sub-category.

After receiving a nomination, Occupation In-Demand candidates can apply directly to the Government of Canada for Canadian permanent residence.

Both of these popular sub-categories have similar eligibility requirements and do not require candidates to have a Canadian job offer in order to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The Express Entry sub-category is only open to eligible candidates who have already submitted a federal Express Entry profile while the Occupations In-Demand category is open to eligible candidates who have not submitted an Express Entry profile.

Find out if you are eligible for Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker categories by completing a free assessment.

This marks the second EOI draw in a week since the SINP issued 140 invitations to candidates under the program’s Occupations In-Demand sub-category on September 21. This sub-category of the SINP prioritizes eligible skilled workers with work experience in one of Saskatchewan’s In-Demand occupations.

Saskatchewan's EOI System

In July, the SINP replaced its first-come, first-served application process with an EOI system for both of its International Skilled Worker categories.

All eligible candidates are required to score at least 60 points in the SINP's EOI Points Assessment Grid, which assesses them based on their responses to questions related to work experience, education and proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

Calculate your potential Saskatchewan Expression of Interest point score now!

How the SINP ranks candidates in the EOI pool

Any individual interested in immigrating to Saskatchewan through the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand sub-category must first complete an EOI profile, a pre-application step that helps the province determine a potential candidate’s eligibility.

Afterwards, the SINP implements a selection process that begins with identifying candidates in the EOI pool with the highest point scores based on the SINP’s points grid.

If the SINP identifies multiple candidates with the same or equal scores, it applies further selection criteria, such as connections to the province, work experience, and official language ability.

The SINP says the goal of the EOI system is strong economic outcomes and long-term retention of skilled immigrants in the province.

The following hypothetical examples are of candidates invited in this EOI draw:

Miguel is 36, has an Adequate Intermediate English language proficiency (CLB 7) and has been working as an Agricultural specialist for five (5) years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and has never worked or studied in Canada. Miguel has a sister living in Saskatchewan. Miguel has a profile in Canada’s federal Express Entry pool with a CRS score of 313.

Miguel also registered an EOI profile with the SINP under the Express Entry sub-category and obtained a score of 78, which would have been sufficient for an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.

If approved for a provincial nomination certificate, Miguel’s Express Entry CRS score will increase to 913, putting him at the front of the line for an ITA in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Sonia is 34 years old and has a Bachelor’s degree. She has a Fluent Intermediate English language proficiency and nine (9) years of work experience as a Community worker.

Sonia’s credentials allowed her to score 66 points on Saskatchewan’s points grid, which would have been sufficient to submit an EOI to the SINP pool under the Occupations In Demand sub-category

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