The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) allows Saskatchewan to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence based on the province's economic and labour market needs. Nominees then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to finalize their permanent residence.
Saskatchewan underwent a significant program restructuring in December 2025. The SINP now operates a three-tier sector system that determines when and how candidates in different industries can apply, alongside a reduced total nomination allocation for 2026 of 4,761 nominations.
Program structure: three-tier sector system
Saskatchewan nominations are now distributed across three sector categories, each with different access and intake rules:
| Tier | Sectors | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Sectors (50% of allocations) | Healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, mining, manufacturing, energy, and technology | Open year-round |
| Capped Sectors (up to 25% of allocations) | Accommodation/food services, retail trade, and trucking | Open during six scheduled intake windows per year; capped |
| Other Sectors (remaining allocations) | All other eligible sectors | Not window-based or capped |
Candidates in capped sectors must be within the last six months of their current work permit to apply.
As of mid-July 2026, Saskatchewan had issued roughly 2,628 nominations — about 55% of its 4,761 allocation — and capped-sector intake windows (most recently July 6–7) have been filling within hours of opening. Two capped-sector intake windows remain for 2026: September 14 and November 2.
Program categories
International Skilled Worker Category
For skilled workers residing outside Canada or elsewhere in Canada (not yet established in Saskatchewan).
| Sub-stream | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Employment Offer | Candidates with a valid job offer from a Saskatchewan employer and a Job Approval Letter (JAL). |
| Occupation In-Demand | Candidates without a job offer whose occupation appears on the SINP in-demand occupation list. Check official SINP sources for current draw status, as draws under this sub-stream have been periodically paused. |
| Saskatchewan Express Entry | Candidates with an active federal Express Entry profile who meet Saskatchewan's minimum requirements and score on the SINP points assessment grid. |
| Talent Pathways | Dedicated pathways for candidates with experience in Agriculture, Health, or Innovation & Tech sectors, each with sector-specific eligibility criteria. |
Candidates in the International Skilled Worker Category are assessed on the SINP points grid; a minimum score of 60 out of 110 is generally required.
Saskatchewan Experience Category
For foreign nationals already living and working in Saskatchewan.
| Sub-stream | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Workers with Work Permits | Individuals who are employed in Saskatchewan and hold a valid work permit. The sector tier system applies — priority sector workers have year-round access; capped sector workers can only apply during intake windows. |
| International Students | Graduates of Saskatchewan-designated learning institutions (DLIs) who are working in the province. Eligibility has been tightened — primarily qualifying graduates from Saskatchewan-based DLIs. |
Entrepreneur and Farm Categories
**These pathways are permanently closed.** As of March 27, 2025, the SINP permanently closed all new applications for both the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator immigration pathways. No new Expressions of Interest or applications are being accepted. Existing applications already in the processing queue continue to be assessed to completion.
How to apply
Check your sector tier
Confirm whether your occupation falls in a priority, capped, or other sector, as this determines when you can apply.
Submit an EOI or application
Create a profile in the SINP Online Portal. For most sub-streams, candidates submit an Expression of Interest and receive an invitation before submitting a full application.
Wait for an invitation
The SINP reviews profiles and issues invitations based on scores, sector priorities, and available allocations.
Submit a full application
Once invited, complete and submit the application with required documentation within the deadline.
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
After receiving a provincial nomination, submit the federal PR application. Saskatchewan Express Entry nominees receive expedited IRCC invitations.
Processing times
Processing times have generally improved following the 2025 restructuring, though they vary by stream and application volume — and with capped-sector intake windows filling within hours in 2026, competition for those spaces is intense regardless of processing speed. Confirm current estimates at saskatchewan.ca/sinp before advising applicants.
Related links
- Alberta PNP - Manitoba PNP - British Columbia PNP - Northwest Territories PNP
--- *Sources: Government of Saskatchewan, saskatchewan.ca SINP program pages, current as of July 2026. The sector-tier system and reduced allocations took effect following a December 2025 restructuring; the Entrepreneur and Farm pathways were permanently closed March 27, 2025. Verify current intake windows, occupation lists, and draw status before advising applicants, as these change frequently.*