Maple News reports that the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has invited 299 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residency. The draw, held on February 25, targeted candidates under the International Skilled Worker category, specifically through the SINP’s Express Entry sub-stream.
To qualify for an invitation in this draw, candidates were required to have an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of at least 70 points. They also needed relevant work experience in one of 70 in-demand occupations identified by the province. These occupations include roles such as medical administrative assistants, retail and wholesale buyers, and geological engineers.
Saskatchewan uses a points-based system to assess a candidate’s potential to contribute to the local labor market and settle successfully in the province. The Points Assessment Grid considers factors like education, work experience, age, language skills, and ties to Saskatchewan. Candidates who demonstrate bilingual proficiency in both English and French now receive additional points, a change implemented in late 2020.
All candidates invited in this round had active profiles in the federal Express Entry system, which manages immigration applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Those in the Express Entry pool who submitted an EOI to the SINP and met the required score were eligible for consideration.
Receiving a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry system, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This latest draw underscores Saskatchewan’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled talent tailored to the region’s economic needs. As Canada continues to prioritize immigration for economic recovery and population growth, provinces like Saskatchewan play a key role in the selection and settlement of newcomers.
Stay tuned to Maple News for ongoing coverage of Canada’s immigration developments.