Saskatchewan has unveiled sweeping changes to its Provincial Nominee Program, significantly altering the landscape for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency through this popular immigration pathway. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will now operate under substantially revised eligibility criteria, with multiple streams permanently closing.
Key Program Changes at a Glance
The SINP has implemented several major modifications, including:
- Resumption of Job Approval Form (JAF) intake after a temporary pause.
- Prioritization of three key sectors for overseas recruitment (Health, Agriculture, and Skilled Trades).
- Permanent closure of Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator pathways.
- 25% cap on nominations for accommodation, food services, retail trade, and trucking sectors.
- New restrictions for international students and spousal work permit holders.
- Removal of eligibility for spas, salons, and pet care services (excluding veterinarians) employers.
Federal Allocation Cuts Drive Strategic Refocus
“We are disappointed with the federal government’s decision to cut provincial nominee program allocations,” stated Deputy Premier and Immigration and Career Training Minister Jim Reiter. “The SINP has been essential for Saskatchewan employers seeking to hire international workers when qualified Canadians are unavailable.”
The federal government has also mandated that 75 percent of all provincial nominees must already be residing in Canada as temporary residents, dramatically limiting Saskatchewan’s ability to recruit talent directly from overseas.
JAF Intake Resumes with New Priorities
As of March 27, 2025, the SINP has resumed accepting new Job Approval Form submissions after a pause that began on February 18, 2025. The province has confirmed there are no plans for additional pauses in 2025.
This temporary suspension allowed the SINP to:
- Review existing applications
- Develop strategies for effective allocation of reduced nomination slots
- Ensure fair distribution across economic sectors
Overseas Recruitment Limited to Priority Sectors
With the new federal requirement that 75% of nominations go to temporary residents already in Canada, Saskatchewan will now prioritize international recruitment exclusively for three critical sectors:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Skilled trades
For all other industries, recruitment will be restricted to candidates who already hold valid temporary resident status in Canada.
Permanent Closure of Business Immigration Streams
In what represents a significant shift in Saskatchewan’s immigration strategy, three business-focused immigration categories have been permanently closed:
- Entrepreneur Category
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Sub-category
- Farm Owner/Operator Category
These pathways closed to new applications on March 27, 2025. Any Expression of Interest (EOI) candidates who had not yet received invitations will have their profiles removed from the system with no further selections being made.
Applications submitted before the closure date will still be processed under existing criteria, and those with approved Business Performance Agreements can proceed as planned.
“After evaluating our labour market priorities, program outcomes and how to maximize the benefits of a reduced number of nominations, we are shifting resources to pathways that best align with Saskatchewan’s economic priorities,” the province explained in its announcement.
Strategic Sector Caps Implemented
To ensure balanced distribution of limited nomination slots, Saskatchewan has imposed caps on three sectors that have historically received disproportionate shares of SINP nominations:
- Accommodations and Food Services
- Retail Trade
- Trucking
These sectors will collectively be limited to 25% of total annual nominations. The caps will be reviewed annually based on federal allocations and program outcomes.
Importantly, JAFs for capped sectors will still be accepted even after reaching the 25% threshold, but will only be processed if additional positions are required to meet the annual nomination allocation. Once the 2025 allocation is reached, pending JAFs will expire, and employers will need to resubmit in the new year.
Changes Affecting Work Permit Holders
The program restructuring also impacts work permit holders:
- Some open work permit holders, including spousal work permit holders, are no longer eligible to apply to the SINP.
- This change was implemented due to “higher risks of exploitation and poor retention outcomes”.
Tightened Requirements for International Students
International students face significant changes to their pathways to permanent residency:
- The Student Category is now restricted to graduates from Saskatchewan Designated Learning Institutions only.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit holders who studied outside Saskatchewan are no longer eligible for the Student Category. All hope is, however, not lost of out of province students as they are still eligible for some of the province’s other program categories.
What’s Next?
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will continue to review its immigration categories to ensure they align with the province’s economic priorities. While these adjustments may be challenging for some, they are essential to maintaining a balanced and fair immigration program that supports Saskatchewan’s long-term needs.
For those looking for more detailed information or personalized advice on navigating these changes, ensuring your immigration journey stays on track and making informed decisions about your next steps, our team is here to help.
Schedule a personalized consultation with our experienced immigration consultants for expert guidance on the SINP changes.
Contact us today to book your consultation and take the next step toward securing your future in Saskatchewan.
