If you’re looking to immigrate to Saskatchewan, Canada, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a popular pathway to permanent residency. However, 2025 brings significant changes that you should be aware of, especially as Canada’s federal immigration targets have been reduced. In this post, we will break down what’s changed and how it could impact your SINP application for the next few years.
Federal Immigration Level Reductions & Impact on SINP Nomination
Canada’s overall Permanent Residency (PR) targets have been reduced significantly for the next few years:
- 2025: 395,000 (originally 500,000)
- 2026: 380,000
- 2027: 265,000
This reduction means Saskatchewan’s SINP allocation has been slashed by nearly 50% — from 7,290 in 2024 to just 3,625 in 2025. So, what does this mean for you as an applicant?
Impact of Reduced Allocation and Sector Caps
The biggest change is that Saskatchewan now needs to allocate 75% of its SINP nominations to individuals already in Canada (temporary residents). If you’re not already living and working in Saskatchewan, your chances of nomination could be limited.
Additionally, Saskatchewan has introduced sectoral caps to control nominations in industries with historically poor retention rates. These sectors include:
- Accounting
- Accommodation
- Food Services
- Retail Trade
- Trucking
If you are applying from outside Canada or have a job offer in one of these capped sectors, your application could be returned and refunded. The new sector caps mean that only 25% of the total nominations will be allocated to these sectors. For example, if you’re applying for a job in food services or trucking, and you’re not already in Canada, your application may not be accepted.
When Will Applications Be Returned?
Your application will be returned if:
- You’re applying from outside Canada and your job offer is in one of the capped sectors.
- You don’t have a valid job offer tied to an existing temporary resident in Saskatchewan.
- The employer cannot show that a temporary resident is currently employed in the job role.
However, if your job offer is in one of the priority sectors (health, agriculture, or skilled trades), you won’t be affected by these caps.
Program Priorities and Adjustments
Saskatchewan is now focused on strategic selection to handle the reduced allocation effectively. Here are some key priorities and structural changes for the program:
- Supporting Saskatchewan’s labor market by focusing on targeted pathways that address critical shortages.
- Enhancing program integrity by restricting eligibility for certain businesses with poor retention rates (e.g., spas, nail salons, pet care services).
- New revenue requirements for businesses in hospitality and trucking sectors to ensure they meet sustainability standards.
- Tightening program misuse with more focused compliance checks and licensing requirements for certain occupations.
Changes to the Student Subcategory
For applicants in the Student Subcategory, there are stricter eligibility criteria:
- You must have graduated from a recognized Saskatchewan institution with a minimum of 8 months or 1 year of full-time study.
- Work experience (at least 6 months or 780 hours) in Saskatchewan related to your field of study is required.
- PGWP holders from outside Saskatchewan are now ineligible for the Student Subcategory and must apply under the International Skilled Worker category instead.
Health and Agriculture Talent Pathways
Saskatchewan is making a push to address labor shortages in healthcare and agriculture. Here’s what you need to know:
- Health Talent Pathway: This is for applicants with health-related job offers (44 designated NOCs). You must meet language, experience, and licensing requirements to qualify.
- Agriculture Talent Pathway: Applicants must have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in agriculture-related fields within the last 3 years or 780 hours in Saskatchewan.
Both pathways offer priority selection for applicants with the right skills and qualifications.
International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer
For those applying under the International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer stream, the requirements are as follows:
- 1 year of relevant work experience in the occupation (NOC).
- 6 months of experience with the employer offering the job (if on an open work permit).
- Applicants must score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points grid.
Designated trades are now reserved for low-skilled pathways if the NOC is classified as Tier 4 or 5.
Critical Notes on Application Returns
Keep in mind the following if you’re applying in sectors like food services, accounting, or trucking:
- Applications will likely be returned if:
- You’re not already living in Canada.
- Your employer cannot show you are a temporary resident.
- Your job offer is from a non-priority sector.
What Should Future Applicants Do?
If you’re planning to apply to the SINP in the future, it’s critical that you:
- Ensure your sector is not capped.
- Be a temporary resident in Saskatchewan, if possible.
- Have a valid job offer and meet the updated eligibility criteria.
Final Thoughts
With these recent changes, the SINP program has become more competitive and selective. However, understanding the new priorities and structural changes can help you navigate the application process more strategically. Whether you’re already in Saskatchewan or considering making the move, it’s important to stay up to date with these updates to ensure your best chance of success.
