Maple News reports that the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will maintain its 2026 nomination allocation at 4,761 spots, matching the tally from the end of 2025. However, the provincial immigration program is introducing significant reforms aimed at better aligning immigration with provincial labour market needs.
Beginning in 2026, at least 50% of SINP nominations—approximately 2,381 spots—will be dedicated to candidates working in seven designated priority sectors. These include healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, mining, manufacturing, energy, and technology. These areas have been prioritized in response to Saskatchewan’s ongoing labour market demands.
Among the priority sector allocation, 750 nomination spots are set aside for international graduates from Saskatchewan-based Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) who are employed in one of the province’s high-demand sectors.
Applicants in these priority sectors will benefit from faster processing and flexible application rules. They can apply year-round, are not subject to the six-month work permit expiry restriction, and applications can be submitted from outside Canada—making these pathways far more accessible.
Conversely, Saskatchewan is limiting nominations for industries that have been classified as “capped sectors” to 25% of its total allocation. This includes accommodation and food services (15%, or up to 714 spots), trucking (5%, or up to 238 spots), and retail trade (5%, or another 238 spots). These sector caps remain unchanged from the previous year.
The remaining 25% of the total allocation will be distributed among applicants from other sectors that fall outside both the priority and capped categories.
Unlike 2025, when the federal government required that 75% of SINP nominees must already be residing in Canada, this restriction has not been extended into 2026. This signals greater opportunities for skilled talent from abroad to immigrate directly to Saskatchewan.
These strategic changes are reflective of Saskatchewan’s broader Labour Market Strategy aimed at addressing targeted labour shortages while managing program integrity and long-term economic growth.
Maple News will continue monitoring SINP developments as Saskatchewan refines its provincial nomination pathways for skilled workers, recent graduates, and in-demand professionals worldwide.