Immigrate to Canada without a job offer: Saskatchewan PNP

Even without a job offer, you may be eligible for two immigration pathways if you wish to live and work in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is among a number of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) that offer immigration options for international applicants without a job offer.

While the most popular immigration route in Canada is known as the Express Entry system, there is an equally promising route called the PNP.

Express Entry is based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in which points are accumulated based on human capital factors. While in most cases Express Entry candidates do not require a job offer, having one will result in a much higher number of points, and therefore a better chance of being invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Canada's PNP, on the other hand, was introduced to ensure a more balanced distribution of the benefits of immigration throughout the country. The program gives participating provinces and territories the opportunity to nominate a set number of economic immigrants for permanent residence each year. PNPs are quite different from one province to another, with each province determining its own set of nomination requirements.

In order to immigrate to Canada through a PNP, you must first be nominated by the province or territory.

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How can I immigrate through the SINP without a job offer?

Nine Canadian provinces and two territories participate in the PNP, Saskatchewan is one of them.

Saskatchewan is a prairie province located in Western Canada. The province's economy is based primarily on agriculture and natural resource industries such as forestry and fishing. It also plays a major role in the production and supply of agricultural products needed by the fastest-growing economies in the world.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) provides pathways for immigration to Canada. Through the SINP, Saskatchewan nominates non-Canadians who wish to settle in the province and gives successful candidates the opportunity to become permanent residents of Canada.

Among the various streams that are operated under the SINP, there are two very active provincial nomination streams that do not require job offers. The first is the Saskatchewan Express Entry-linked stream, which does, however, require one to have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system in order to apply.

The Express Entry sub-category is an enhanced PNP, which means it is linked to the federal Express Entry system. Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from the province of Saskatchewan are awarded an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. This award effectively guarantees them a chance to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

In order to be considered for an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination under this stream, candidates must create an Express Entry profile and express their interest in settling in Saskatchewan.

The second is the Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand stream, which does not require one to have an Express Entry profile. The stream is designed to bring skilled workers to fill labour market needs. To be eligible, an applicant must have at least one year of work experience in one of the positions included on Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand list.

Saskatchewan regularly issues invitations through these two streams. So far this year, 2,733 Saskatchewan Express Entry and 3,433 Occupations In-Demand candidates have been invited. In all, 6,166 invitations have so far been issued through these two streams in 2021. This is close to the number of invitations issued by Ontario through its Human Capital Priorities Stream, another PNP stream that does not require a job offer and is considered as one of the most active in the country.

International Skilled Worker: Express Entry Requirements

This sub-category is for candidates who do not have a job offer in Saskatchewan but have experience in an in-demand occupation. More specifically candidates must meet these requirements:

score a minimum of 60 points out of 110 on the SINP point assessment grid;
have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code;
meet Express Entry language requirements and can provide test results;
have a minimum level of work experience related to their field of education or training in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) that is considered to be in-demand in Saskatchewan;
have post-secondary school or training that is equivalent to at least one year of Canadian education;
have sufficient funds to cover settlement costs in Saskatchewan.

International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand Requirements

This sub-category is for applicants who do not have a job offer in Saskatchewan but are highly qualified in an occupation in demand. More specifically candidates must meet these requirements:

score a minimum of 60 points out of 110 on the SINP point assessment grid;
live outside of Canada or have proof of legal status in Canada;
not be a refugee claimant;
have a language score of at least 4 according to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB);
completed post-secondary education, training, or apprenticeship and have an equivalent foreign education credential;
have work experience that is related to occupation and education;
must have a minimum level of work experience related to their field of education or training in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) that is in-demand in Saskatchewan at the time of application;
have sufficient funds to cover settlement costs in Saskatchewan.

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration