Maple News reports that Saskatchewan held its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 1, inviting a total of 564 skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.
The invitations were issued through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) under the International Skilled Worker category, specifically targeting two subcategories: Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand. Of the total, 138 candidates were selected from the federal Express Entry system, while 426 were invited under the Occupations In-Demand stream.
To qualify, all candidates were required to have an active Expression of Interest (EOI) profile submitted to the SINP and to meet a minimum EOI score of 74. It’s important to note that this score is specific to Saskatchewan’s assessment system and differs from the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). All invitees also had completed Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) to verify that their educational qualifications align with Canadian standards.
In this round, candidates with work experience in one of 86 eligible occupations were considered. These occupations span a wide range of sectors aligned with Saskatchewan’s labour market needs, underscoring the province’s focus on attracting talent that can contribute to its economy.
The SINP uses a structured Points Assessment Grid to evaluate candidates across five key factors: education and training, work experience, language ability, age, and ties to Saskatchewan. The goal is to identify skilled individuals who are most likely to thrive in the province and make successful long-term contributions.
Recently, Saskatchewan enhanced its EOI system to award additional points to bilingual candidates proficient in both English and French—a move aimed at reinforcing Canada’s official bilingualism and attracting a diverse talent pool.
Candidates selected through the Express Entry sub-category were already part of the federal Express Entry pool, which includes applicants to Canada’s three main economic immigration streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Those who submitted a separate EOI to Saskatchewan and met the 74-point SINP threshold were included in the December 1 draw.
With this draw, Saskatchewan continues its active efforts to welcome skilled workers who meet the evolving needs of its labour market. Maple News will continue to monitor upcoming draws and provide timely updates for prospective immigrants and newcomers interested in Saskatchewan’s immigration pathways.