Federal Government Reductions of PNPs and SINP Allocations

SINP’s 2025 allocation reduction

The federal Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 is set to decrease the total number of immigrants. Within this framework, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will experience a 50 percent reduction, with the federal government implementing this cut uniformly across all PNPs. Consequently, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) suspended the acceptance of new Job Approval Forms, as the federal government has halved Saskatchewan’s nomination allocation for 2025 and mandated that 75 percent of nominations be designated for temporary residents. Nominations for non-temporary residents coming from outside Canada will be restricted to specific occupations in the health care, agriculture, and skilled trades sectors. These areas have been prioritized due to their critical workforce demands and alignment with broader governmental objectives.

When will I be able to submit a new SINP application?

Effective March 27, 2025, the intake of new Job Approval Form submissions resumed and that is the first part of the application.

Removal of some open work permit holders

Certain open work permits, including spousal work permits, will no longer qualify for application under SINP pathways that necessitate work permits. This change is due to increased risks of exploitation and unsatisfactory retention results, which compromise the program’s objectives of promoting stable and long-term economic contributions.

SINP caps on certain sectors

Saskatchewan is introducing specific caps to guarantee that our finite nomination allocation is distributed strategically among all economic sectors. This strategy promotes improved settlement results, prevents any one sector from disproportionately utilizing the program, and aligns with new federal mandates while catering to the province’s varied economic requirements. The framework permits up to 25 percent of the total nominations to be allocated to these sectors. Employers will still have access to the program, but the allocation will be restricted to maintain equity across industries.

Below we are confirming the eligibility for one of the most popular SINP streams: International Skilled Worker with the Offer of Employment

International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer

Eligibility

You may qualify for this sub-category if you live outside Canada or have proof of legal status in Canada, are not a refugee claimant, and:

• Score at least 60 points on the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) point assessment grid.
• Have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years (in your intended occupation).
• Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
• Some employers or regulators may ask for scores that are higher than CLB 4.
• Be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing if your intended occupation is a compulsory apprenticeship trade or a credential is legally required for you to work in that occupation in Saskatchewan.
• To see if your intended occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan, see Regulated Occupations and Licensing Requirements.
• Have an offer for a permanent, full-time job in Saskatchewan. You will need a valid SINP Job Approval Letter to show proof. Employers must register with the SINP and obtain the Job Approval Letter. They will then provide the Job Approval Letter to you if you meet their hiring qualifications.

There is no specific list of jobs, but your offer must be in an occupation in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER level “0”, “1”, “2” or “3”.