Saskatchewan holds third Express Entry, Occupation In-Demand draw in 3 weeks for targeted occupations

Saskatchewan held its third invitation round is as many weeks October 8, inviting 559 Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has been rolling out invitations to prospective immigrants every week since it expanded the list of occupations that are eligible under its Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand sub-categories on September 18.

Since then, the SINP has issued 1,938 invitations through both sub-categories over three draws.

At least one year of work experience in an eligible occupation related to one’s field of study is required under both the Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand sub-categories, among other eligibility criteria.

A job offer in Saskatchewan is not required, nor is Canadian work experience.

The decision to drop the SINP's In-Demand Occupation List in favour of an Excluded Occupation List saw the number of eligible professions jump from 19 to 218.

All three draws since the list was dropped have targeted candidates with work experience in a wide range of occupations.

Candidates selected in the October 8 draw had work experience in one of the following 15 occupations. “NOC” stands their National Occupation Classification (NOC) code:

Financial managers (NOC 0111)
Human resource managers (NOC 0112)
Other administrative services managers (NOC 0114)
Banking credit and other investment managers (NOC 0122)
Managers in agriculture (NOC 0821)
Other financial officers (NOC 1114)
Administrative officers (NOC 1221)
Administrative assistants (NOC 1221)
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 1311)
Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
Architectural technologists and technicians (NOC 2251)
Financial sales representatives (NOC 6235)
Bakers (NOC 6332)
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairs (NOC 7321)

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The October 8 draw follows major draws held October 2 and September 25. The October 2 draws rendered a total of 610 invitations to candidates in both sub-categories, while the September 25 draws issued 769.

Those invited have 60 days to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence. If nominated by Saskatchewan, candidates are effectively guaranteed an opportunity to apply for permanent residence.

Saskatchewan Express Entry

Saskatchewan’s Express Entry sub-category is linked to the federal Express Entry system.

The Express Entry system manages the profiles of candidates for Canada’s three main skilled worker immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Of the 559 people invited to apply on October 8, 231 were Express Entry candidates who have also registered an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with the SINP.

EOI profiles are ranked based on the SINP’s unique points grid, which considers factors such as their connections to Saskatchewan, work experience, and abilities in English or French.

The lowest-ranked Express Entry candidate invited to apply in the latest draw had an EOI score of 69.

Express Entry candidates who receive a nomination from the SINP receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Occupation In-Demand

The majority of candidates invited in the Oct. 8 draw — 382 — were contenders under the Occupation In-Demand sub-category, which is not aligned with the Express Entry system.

Eligible skilled workers with experience in an eligible occupation and who meet other requirements may be invited through this stream. No job offer is required.

Creating an EOI profile is also required in order to be considered under the Occupation In-Demand sub-category.

Occupation In-Demand candidates with EOI scores as low as 69 were invited to apply in the October 8 draw.

* Photo courtesy of Tourism Saskatoon

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