Key Updates to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) -3,625 Nominations Available for 2025

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program – Recent Highlights

After a brief pause, the SINP program intake has reopened. On March 27, 2025, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that it would end the temporary pause on the intake of Job Approval Forms (JAFs). This decision comes in response to a federal government mandate that has reduced the provincial nominee program allocations for all provinces by 50%. With this cut, Saskatchewan now has just 3,625 nominations for the year, marking the lowest allocation since 2009. To further complicate matters, the federal government has imposed a new rule requiring that 75% of nominees must already be living in Canada as temporary residents.

The federal government’s decision to reduce nominations has been met with disappointment by aspiring permanent residents seeking to settle down in the province. Deputy Premier and Immigration and Career Training Minister Jim Reiter expressed his concerns, emphasizing the vital role the SINP plays in addressing Saskatchewan’s workforce needs. He noted, “The SINP has been essential for Saskatchewan employers seeking to hire international workers when qualified Canadians are unavailable. The changes announced today will ensure that our reduced number of nominations is used effectively and in a way that prioritizes building our economy.”

The Changes that were implied to the SINP program

Given the constraints imposed by the federal government’s reduction in nominations, the Saskatchewan government has implemented several immediate changes to the SINP. These changes are designed to ensure fair access across sectors while maintaining the integrity of the program and aligning with the province’s long-term labor market needs. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:

1. Prioritization of Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades

• Going forward, candidates overseas will be prioritized for positions in the Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades sectors.
• Recruitment for all other sectors will only be supported for candidates who are already temporary residents in Canada on a valid temporary visa.

This strategic shift focuses Saskatchewan’s immigration efforts on sectors that are currently facing labor shortages and are essential to the province’s growth.

2. Caps on Certain Sectors

• Accommodation, food services, retail trade, and trucking sectors will be capped at 25% of the total annual nominations. This cap will help ensure that the available nominations are distributed fairly across sectors while prioritizing those areas where there is the greatest need for workers.

3. Eligibility Restrictions for Certain Occupations

• Spas, salons, and pet care services (excluding veterinarians) will no longer be eligible to recruit through the SINP. This marks a narrowing of the focus for the program, removing certain occupations that may not align with Saskatchewan’s most pressing labor market needs.

4. Closure of Entrepreneur and Farm Owner Categories

• The Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator categories will be permanently closed. This change will impact those seeking to establish or invest in businesses in Saskatchewan under the SINP. As a result, the province will no longer accept applications for these specific categories.

 But Why Were These Changes Imposed?

The recent changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) were primarily imposed due to the reduction in federal nominee allocations. These changes aim to balance the province’s labor market needs with federal immigration guidelines and budget constraints. The caps placed on certain sectors, such as accommodation, food services, and retail trade, help ensure that the limited nominations are allocated in a way that benefits the most critical sectors first. This is done to maintain fairness in the program and prioritize long-term economic growth over short-term sectoral needs.

The SINP changes also reflect a heightened concern about immigration fraud. Saskatchewan has been increasingly vigilant in ensuring the integrity of its immigration programs. Fraudulent applications, misrepresentation, and the exploitation of immigration pathways by individuals or entities are serious issues. In response, the SINP has strengthened its processes to prevent fraudulent activity, such as misuse of the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator categories and hiring low-skilled and unskilled foreign workers. Closing these categories reflects an effort to protect the program from being abused and ensures that only legitimate candidates are selected. Furthermore, strict verification of applicants’ credentials and experience has been emphasized to prevent fraudsters from entering the province through misrepresented applications.

How will these changes impact new aspiring immigrants who want to become permanent residents in Saskatchewan?

These changes, primarily driven by the federal allocation cut and new requirements, will significantly impact aspiring immigrants seeking permanent residency in Saskatchewan.

Firstly, the province will implement a more stringent selection process to ensure that the most qualified applicants are chosen. This could lead to longer wait times for those applying. Applicants in sectors outside of high-demand fields may find it more difficult to qualify for the SINP. For example, individuals seeking to work in retail, accommodation, or food services may face fewer opportunities.

Secondly, there will be an increased focus on Temporary Residents Already in Canada.

Finally, aspiring immigrants who are currently abroad and seeking to immigrate to Saskatchewan will face more barriers. The provincial government is now less focused on overseas applications, particularly for sectors that are not prioritized, such as healthcare, agriculture, and trades.

The changes to the SINP will create both challenges and opportunities for aspiring immigrants. To improve your chances of success, it’s crucial to stay informed about these changes and ensure that your application aligns with the updated criteria. Strengthening your qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency will make your application stand out while ensuring that your intentions to settle in Saskatchewan are clear and genuine.