Maple News reports that Saskatchewan has expanded eligibility for permanent residency under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), offering new opportunities for lower- and intermediate-skilled workers to settle permanently in the province.
Previously restricted to high-skilled occupations and designated trades, the Existing Work Permit stream of the SINP now includes workers from more than 279 occupations. Eligible roles span a wide range, including truck drivers, farm laborers, retail workers, and nurses’ aides — a significant shift aimed at addressing ongoing labor shortages across key sectors.
To qualify under this expanded stream, applicants must already be working in Saskatchewan and hold an eligible work permit. Accepted permits include open work permits, LMIA-supported permits, Francophone mobility work permits, or CUAET visas for Ukrainians. Applicants must also have:
– A valid SINP Job Approval Letter,
– Six months (or 780 hours) of full-time work experience in the approved role,
– A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of four for TEER 4 or 5 occupations,
– Applicable licensure if working in a regulated profession in Saskatchewan.
While the expansion covers many new occupations, certain groups remain ineligible under this specific route. These include food and beverage servers, truck drivers, health professionals, refugee claimants, and international students with Post-Graduation Work Permits. Individuals in these categories must apply through alternate SINP sub-streams designed for their specific sectors.
This move is part of Saskatchewan’s broader effort to meet its growing labor demands. The province is facing significant workforce gaps with over 16,000 current job vacancies and projections pointing to more than 112,000 openings over the next five years. In anticipation, Saskatchewan has negotiated increased immigration nominee allocations with the federal government through 2025.
With this policy shift, Saskatchewan underscores its commitment to welcoming newcomers from a broader range of occupations, recognizing the vital role they play in supporting the province’s economic growth and sustainability.