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Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program


 The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) can provide an alternate and quicker means of entry into Canada.  It allows Saskatchewan to nominate applicants, who qualify under criteria established by the province, to the federal government for landed immigrant status.

SINP like all other Canadian PNP programs are subject to frequent changes - for up to date information on all rules, information and application forms visit SINP web site.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) streams and categories:


Large Scale Investor

If you intend to actively invest C$10 million or more in Saskatchewan, then you are eligible for the Large Scale Investor Stream.

Benefits

Applications in this stream will be given priority processing.

How it works

On the Business Establishment Proposal that is part of your Entrepreneur Category application, please indicate that you are applying for the Large Scale Investor Stream.

Submit your completed application for nomination to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.

Once you have been successfully nominated, you, as the Principal Applicant, can request nomination for up to ten critical members of your management team.

Each of your team members will submit an application to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program through the Skilled Worker Category; each application will be assessed separately.

If, after submitting your application in the Large Scale Investor stream, you are found to not be eligible, then you can re-apply under the general Entrepreneur Category.

What you need to know

The SINP is not responsible for the decisions made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) regarding the nominee’s eligibility for permanent residence, including issues of criminality, health and security.


Science and Technology Stream

You are eligible for the Science and Technology Stream if you

  • Own a patent and intend to commercialize it through an active investment in Saskatchewan; or,
  • Own an innovative IT idea and intend to commercialize it through an active investment in Saskatchewan; or,
  • Intend to actively invest in a partnership with an existing Saskatchewan science and technology-based firm.

Benefits

Applicants in this stream will be given priority processing.

Requirements

  1. Applicants must meet the four basic criteria of the Entrepreneur Category.
  2. Your scientific education and/or research-based work experience will be considered in assessing your entrepreneurial or business management experience.

What you need to know

The SINP reserves the right to have patents, ideas and/or business partnership proposals verified by third parties.

The SINP is not responsible for the decisions made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) regarding the nominee’s eligibility for permanent residence, including issues of criminality, health and security.


Entrepreneurs

The SINP Entrepreneur Program offers you and your family the opportunity to establish, acquire or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in its management. 

You can apply to the program through the general Entrepreneur Category or through one of the following streams:

Nomination Criteria

There are four criteria in the SINP Entrepreneur Category that you must meet to be approved for nomination:

  1. A minimum net worth of $300,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD) that can be verified.
  2. Accumulation of net worth through legal means, which can be verified.
  3. Minimum three years entrepreneurial or relevant business management experience.
  4. Intent to reside and actively invest in Saskatchewan, which is evaluated using the Intent Grading Grid.

Requirements

If you are approved for nomination by the SINP - Entrepreneur Category, you will be required to:

  1. Have a minimum active investment of $150,000 CAD in the Province of Saskatchewan.  If you own less than 1/3 of the business, then your total investment must be worth at least $1 million CAD;
  2. Be involved in the day-to-day management of your business; and 
  3. Make a $75,000 Good Faith Deposit.  If you meet certain conditions, you may apply for your Good Faith Deposit to be returned.

An interview is not obligatory for the SINP - Entrepreneur Category, but we may request an interview if we need to further review your criteria.  If you are nominated by the SINP, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for assessing your eligibility for Permanent Residency, including an assessment of health, criminality and security.  The SINP is not responsible for CIC’s decision to grant or deny Permanent Residency status.

Landing Meeting

After you have been nominated under the SINP and have arrived in Saskatchewan either on your Permanent Residence card or Temporary Foreign Worker’s Visa, you are required to contact our office to set-up a landing meeting with a Business Immigration Officer.

Landing meetings are held:
Saskatoon: Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Regina: third Friday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please contact saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca to make an appointment for your landing meeting.

Entrepreneur Category Process Before October 1, 2009

Applications are no longer being accepted under the former process.  If you applied to the SINP before October 1, 2009, your application will be considered under that process.  All new applications should be submitted through the new Entrepreneur Program process above.

How to apply
Application forms
Frequently Asked Questions

Farm Owners / Operators

The Farm Owner/Operator category is for individuals with proven experience in farming and substantial capital available to invest in a farming operation and who intend to purchase and operate a farming operation in Saskatchewan. 

The Young Farmer stream of the Farm Owner/Operator Category is designed to allow young farm families to establish their lives and farming operations in our province’s rural areas.

Applicants considering applying under this category are encouraged to contact SINP officials to learn more about the eligibility criteria of the program.  SINP officials will also ensure applicants are contacted by officials in Saskatchewan Agriculture--Food and Rural Revitalization who can advise them on the type of farming operation they intend to operate in Saskatchewan.

For more information on farm ownership legislation pertaining to non-residents, please visit the Saskatchewan Farm Land Security Board's website at www.farmland.gov.sk.ca/.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Farm Owner/Operator category you must meet all of the following four criteria:

  1. Available Equity – you must provide financial documents showing a net worth of $500,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD).
  2. Refundable Cash Deposit - you must sign a Performance Agreement committing to purchase a farm operation in Saskatchewan and make a "good faith" deposit of $75,000 CAD in trust.  The cash deposit will be returned to you when the terms of the Performance Agreement are met.  The deposit will be forfeited to the Province if the terms are not met within two years of landing in Saskatchewan.
  3. Mandatory visit to Saskatchewan – you must have conduct a comprehensive exploratory visit to Saskatchewan of no less than five working days and must meet with an SINP representative.
  4. Farm operation knowledge and experience - you must provide documentation (e.g. education and training, work experience, financial documents of their previous operations) that demonstrates that you are a knowledgeable farm operator.  If necessary, we may further verify this information through an interview when you are in Saskatchewan.

The farm owner/operator category is restricted to proprietary businesses that include primary agricultural production.  Agri-business operations may qualify under the Entrepreneur category of the SINP.

Young Farmer Stream of the Farm Owner/Operator Category

Application Criteria: 

  • Have a minimum personal net worth of $300,000 CAD, which is verifiable to 80% certainty.
  • Verifiable legal accumulation of funds to 80% certainty.
  • At the time of your application you must be under age 40.
  • You must have a minimum of three years farm ownership, farm management or practical farming experience.
  • You must provide a documented proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity based on research, consultations or formal coursework relevant to Saskatchewan agricultural conditions.  Hobby Farms are not eligible.  The farming proposal must be a commercial venture undertaken with a reasonable expectation of profit.  In Saskatchewan, a qualified farming business must have a minimum of $10,000 CAD annual revenue.
  • You or your spouse must have marketable employment skills, based on education and experience that allows you to supplement your farming income.

Nomination Requirements: 

  • Before submitting your application you must have conducted an exploratory visit to Saskatchewan that lasted at least five days.
  • You must have practical farming experience with skills that are relevant to Saskatchewan farming conditions.
  • You must make a minimum equity investment of $150,000 CAD in a new or existing farming operation in Saskatchewan comprised of either capital assets (land, machinery) or working capital.
  • You must make a $75,000 CAD refundable deposit into the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Trust Fund ($2,500 upon acceptance of application and $72,500 upon nomination).
How to apply
Application forms

Skilled Workers

This category is for skilled workers, professionals or managers who have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.  It is divided into three sub-categories:

  • Skilled Workers/Professionals
  • Critical Occupations
  • Existing Work Permit

Eligibility

You may qualify to apply under the SINP Skilled Workers Category if:

  • You live outside of Canada or you have proof of legal status in Canada, you are not a refugee claimant and you have the following:

You may qualify to apply under the SINP Critical Occupation Category if:

  • You live outside of Canada or you have proof of legal status in Canada, you are not a refugee claimant and you have the following:
    • An offer of permanent, full-time employment in Saskatchewan in a management position in the NOC Matrix level "0" (Critical Occupations Sub-Category).

You may qualify to apply under the SINP Existing Work Permit Category if:

  • You have proof of legal status in Canada, you are not a refugee claimant and you have the following:
    • Have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months on a temporary work permit either in an occupation or trade that is in the NOC Matrix level "A" or "B", or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan excluding trades included in the Hospitality Sector Pilot Project (Existing Work Permit Sub-Category).
How to apply
Application forms
Frequently asked questions

Health Professions

Health Professions Category

Applicants to the SINP Health Professions Category must already be working full-time in Saskatchewan as a physician, nurse or other health professional on a temporary work permit for at least six months in order to apply.

If you are not currently employed in Saskatchewan, you need to contact the appropriate organization to determine what further studies, examinations and/or certifications you need to qualify for jobs in Saskatchewan:


The Health Professions Category is divided into three sub-categories:

  • Physicians

    Under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), Saskatchewan can nominate physicians whose educational and professional certifications qualify them for employment in Saskatchewan.
  • Nurses

    Under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), Saskatchewan can nominate Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Psychiatric Nurses or Registered Nurses (RN) if their educational and professional certifications qualify them for employment in Saskatchewan.
  • Other Health Professions

    Under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) Saskatchewan can nominate health professionals currently working in health occupations that are supported by the appropriate licensing body (if applicable).
Long Haul Truck Drivers

The SINP Long Haul Truck Driver Project allows Saskatchewan trucking firms to bring truckers to the province under Service Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker policy for occupations requiring a high school diploma or on-the-job training.

The project was developed in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Trucking Association, Service Canada (SC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to attract long-haul truck drivers to Saskatchewan.

Long haul truck drivers must first begin working in Saskatchewan for an approved trucking firm on a temporary foreign work permit. If an approved trucking firm offers them permanent employment, after a minimum of 6 months employment they may apply to the SINP for permanent resident status.

Family Members

Note:  Beginning January 1, 2011, applicants to the SINP Family Members Category will be required to show that they are able to economically establish themselves in Saskatchewan by either demonstrating that they have $10,000 for themselves and $2,000 for each accompanying family member or an offer of permanent, full-time employment. 

Previously, these funds could be in the supporting family member's name.  The change ensures the funds are in the applicant's name.

This category is for immigrant families living in Saskatchewan who want to help their skilled and educated family members come to work and live in the province.

Applicants must have a relative who has been living in Saskatchewan for at least one year.  They must be willing to provide applicants with assistance during the immigration process and after they arrive in Saskatchewan.  These relatives are called supporting family members.

For more information on the roles and responsibilities of supporting family members, see the Application Guide for the Family Members Category.

Spouses or common-law partners are not eligible to apply under this category.  They need to apply under the Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) Family Class.

Eligibility

To be considered for the SINP Family Members Category, you must:
  1. Be between 18 – 49 years old
  2. Have a signed affidavit of support (SINP 500-22) from one or more family members in Saskatchewan.
  3. Have completed post-secondary education, training, or apprenticeship of at least one year in length that has resulted in a diploma, a certificate or a degree.
  4. Have at least one year of work experience in your field of education or training.
  5. Have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.  Job offers do not have to be related to the field of education or previous work experience, although it is preferable.  (Live-in caregivers cannot apply under this category.)  
OR

Intend to find full-time, permanent work in Saskatchewan and have enough money to live in the province for a short time without work after arrival ($10,000 for you and $2,000 for each accompanying family member).  The funds can be from you and your spouse only.  You, the principal applicant must show you have had these funds for at least three months.

Funds can be in Canadian dollars or an equivalent amount in a foreign currency. 

    6. Have the English language ability either to do the job you have been offered by a Saskatchewan employer or to get a job in your field of education or training. 

Your English language ability must be verified by one of the following:
  • an affidavit of English language ability from a Saskatchewan employer who has offered you a permanent job (SINP 500-8)
  • education/training documents where the language of instruction is English or the content of instruction is English
  • language testing results such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
Who Can Be a Supporting Family Member in Saskatchewan?

Supporting family members include:
  • parents
  • daughters/sons
  • sisters/brothers
  • aunts/uncles
  • nieces/nephews
  • first cousins
  • grandparents
  • step-family members / in-laws of the same relationship 
A qualified supporting family member in Saskatchewan is automatically qualified forsupporting their spouse’s family members as listed and vice versa.  

How to apply
Application forms
Frequently asked questions


Students

The Student Category allows eligible post-secondary graduates to apply for landed immigrant status under the SINP.

There are two streams of the Student Category:

  • the Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream and
  • the Master’s and PhD Graduate Stream.

Eligibility

Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream 

You may qualify to apply under the SINP Student Category: Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream if:

  1. You have graduated with a certificate, diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada.  The program must have been equivalent to at least one academic year (eight months) of full-time study.
  2. You have worked for at least six months (with minimum 960 hours) of paid employment in Saskatchewan.  Eligible types of work experience in Saskatchewan include on-campus, off-campus, co-op terms, graduate fellowships that can be verified by your institution, and work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit.
  3. You have applied for and received a post-graduation work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
  4. You have a current, permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.  The job offer does not have to relate to your studies.

Master’s and PhD Graduate Stream

You may qualify to apply under the SINP Student Category: Master’s and PhD Graduate Stream if:

  1. You have completed all degree requirements for an existing Master’s and/or PhD program that required at least one academic year of full-time study from the University of Saskatchewan or the University of Regina.
  2. You are applying within two years of the date on which your degree was granted and from a country in which you have legal status.
  3. You intend to live in Saskatchewan and are able to demonstrate your ability to settle and work in Saskatchewan with at least one of the following:
  • Have at least six months of employment history in your field of training in Saskatchewan;
  • Are currently employed in your field of training or have received a job offer in your field of training in Saskatchewan for a term longer than six months;
  • Your spouse is currently employed in Saskatchewan in a permanent, full-time position; or, 
  • You have enough money to sustain for a short time without work ($10,000 for you and $2,000 for each accompanying family member).
How to apply
Application forms
Frequently asked questions

Hospitality Sector Pilot Project

NOTE: As of April 30, 2010, employers must receive approval from the SINP to participate in the project before their employees arrive in Canada.  The SINP will not accept applications from hospitality sector employees who arrive in Canada prior to their employer receiving SINP approval. 

The Hospitality Sector Project is a pilot initiative we are currently testing – its duration and scope are limited.

Under the Hospitality Sector Pilot Project the SINP can nominate foreign workers that are currently working in Saskatchewan for a minimum of six months on a temporary work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), supported by Service Canada's (SC) Temporary Foreign Worker labour market confirmation, and in one of the following categories:
  • Food/Beverage Server (NOC 6453)
  • Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6641)
  • Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6661)
Workers in these categories must first begin working in Saskatchewan on a temporary foreign work permit for a company that has been approved by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).  If an approved business offers the worker permanent employment, after a minimum of 6 months employment the worker may apply to the SINP for permanent resident status.


 Procedural Guidelines
Common Questions
Using an Immigration Representative
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