The Province of Saskatchewan has invited 853 candidates in its Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand immigration sub-categories to apply for a provincial nomination in the largest draw yet from its new International Skilled Worker Expression of Interest pool.

A total of 359 Express Entry sub-category candidates were issued invitations to apply in the October 10 draw and the lowest-ranked had a score of 60 under Saskatchewan’s point assessment grid.

Another 494 candidates in Saskatchewan’s Occupations In-Demand sub-category also were issued invitations to apply. The lowest-ranked among these candidates had a score was 63.

The minimum score in both sub-categories was the lowest drawn to date since the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) adopted an Expression of Interest system for the two sub-categories in July.

The SINP’s Express Entry sub-category is linked to the federal Express Entry system, which manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three main classes of economic immigration candidates — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.

In order to be eligible for this sub-category, Express Entry candidates must score at least 60 on Saskatchewan’s point assessment grid and have work experience in a high-skilled occupation found on the province’s In-Demand Occupations List, among other criteria.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and are effectively moved to the front of the line for an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, fill out a free assessment.

The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is not aligned with the Express Entry system. It is for eligible candidates who score at least 60 points on Saskatchewan’s point assessment grid and have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years one of the province’s in-demand occupations, among other criteria.

Under the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system, candidates who would like to be considered for a provincial nomination through the Express Entry or Occupations In-Demand sub-categories must first submit an Expression of Interest profile.

Candidates are then given a ranking score based on their answers to questions concerning work experience, education and proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

Those who score at least 60 points on Saskatchewan’s assessment grid, and satisfy other eligibility requirements, are entered into the pool of candidates and the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for a provincial nomination through regular draws.

Those who receive an invitation to apply have 60 days to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination.

Since its switch to a EOI system, the SINP has held three draws each for Express Entry candidates and Occupations In-Demand candidates.

The SINP says a goal of the EOI system is to ensure “strong economic outcomes and long-term retention in Saskatchewan for those invited to apply.

Two occupations removed from In-Demand list

In a related development, the SINP updated its In-Demand Occupations List on October 11, removing NOC 2123 (Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists) and NOC 3216 (Medical Sonographers).

The removals bring the number of occupations that are listed as in-demand by the SINP to 20.

Discover your Canadian immigration options by completing a free assessment form.

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