On August 30, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced two new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways within the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), specifically designed for newcomers in the health care and agriculture sectors.
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Saskatchewan’s Immigration and Career Training Minister, Jeremy Harrison, stated that the new pathways represent an additional effort by the province to align its immigration program with the current needs of the labor market.
“Given the widespread labor shortages across the country, establishing new provincial immigration pathways and improving our credential recognition process will assist Saskatchewan employers in securing the workforce necessary for business growth,” he added.
The new Agriculture Talent pathway is designed to address the growing need for labor to fill high-demand and emerging roles within the agriculture sector.
Agriculture is a crucial part of Saskatchewan’s economy, with the province exporting over $3.2 billion in four major crop sectors in 2023.
The Health Talent Pathway is intended to support Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources (HHR) action plan. According to the province, “All health care recruitment through the SINP will be centralized and streamlined under this single stream.”
Who is Eligible?
Agriculture Talent Stream
To qualify for the Agriculture Talent Stream, candidates must meet the following baseline eligibility criteria:
- Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 is required. However, some employers or regulatory bodies may require higher scores.
- Education: Completion of secondary school (high school) or higher education is necessary.
- Work Experience: Candidates must have at least one year of full-time work experience in their intended occupation within the past three years. Alternatively, six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience (30+ hours per week) with an employer who has issued a Job Approval Letter is acceptable. The work experience does not need to be continuous.
- Intent to Reside: Candidates must attest to their intention to live and work in Saskatchewan.
- Job Offer: A valid offer for a permanent, full-time job in the agricultural sector in Saskatchewan is required.
- SINP Job Approval Letter: Candidates must obtain a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from their employer, who must be registered with the SINP to issue this letter.
Health Talent Stream
Eligibility for the Health Talent Stream varies based on whether the candidate is in the federal Express Entry pool. However, there are some common criteria for both categories:
- Licensing: Candidates must be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing if it applies to their occupation.
- Education: Candidates should have post-secondary education relevant to the job offered, which can include a master’s or bachelor’s degree, a three-year university or college degree, or a diploma from a university, college, trade, or technical school requiring two years of study.
- Intent to Reside: Candidates must affirm their intention to live and work in Saskatchewan.
For Candidates Not in the Express Entry Pool
- Language Proficiency: Candidates must have a minimum language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English and/or French, although some employers or regulators may require higher scores.
- Work Experience:
- If applying from within Saskatchewan: Candidates must currently be employed in Saskatchewan and have worked for at least six months (780 hours) in the job with the employer who provided the Job Approval Letter. This work experience does not need to be continuous.
- If not employed by the supporting employer for at least six months: Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in their occupation within the last five years.
For Candidates in the Express Entry Pool
- Express Entry Profile: Candidates must have a valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code.
- Language Proficiency: Candidates need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 or higher in English and/or French.
- Work Experience: Candidates must have one year of high-skilled work experience in their intended eligible occupation within the past five years, whether applying from inside or outside Canada.
About the SINP
In 2023, Saskatchewan welcomed 7,350 newcomers through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and has been allocated 8,000 nominations by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2024. The province anticipates receiving nearly 20,000 newcomers by the end of 2025, with the allocation expected to increase to 8,500.
Saskatchewan is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for newcomers to Canada. It offers a lower cost of living compared to other major Canadian cities, with more affordable housing and a low provincial tax rate. Additionally, the province features a Graduate Retention Program that refunds up to $20,000 of tuition fees for eligible graduates, including international graduates, who live in Saskatchewan and file a provincial income tax return.
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