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Opportunity Lives Here

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program

Immigration to Canada Lawyer

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (Saskatchewan PNP) is a popular choice for those who would like to immigrate to Saskatchewan. Provincial nominee programs (PNPs), such as the Saskatchewan PNP, may help applicants immigrate to Canada faster compared to Canadian immigration programs found at the federal level. Saskatchewan PNP applicants must intend to reside in the province of Saskatchewan if they choose to apply under this provincial nominee program. As you will see below, there are numerous categories that foreign national may apply for within the Saskatchewan PNP. Successful applicants will be nominated by the Saskatchewan Government, which is essentially an endorsement from the provincial government supporting their immigration to Canada, and specifically to Saskatchewan. Once applicants are nominated by the province, they are issued a provincial nomination certificate which they must submit with their application to the federal government for their Canadian permanent resident status. Contact a knowledgeable immigration to Canada lawyer from our law firm to discuss your options.

Saskatchewan PNP Categories

Below you will find a list of the different categories available and a brief summary explaining the objective and conditions of those categories:

Skilled Workers

This category is for skilled-workers, professionals or managers who have a full-time permanent job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan. This category is divided into two sub-categories referred to as: 1) Skilled Workers/Professionals Category; and 2)Existing Work Permit Category.

Skilled Workers/Professionals Category: Applicants may apply for this if they live outside of Canada, or from inside of Canada if they have legal status to be in Canada at the time of their application. Applicants under this category must have an offer for full-time permanent employer with in a Saskatchewan employer in an occupation or trade which falls under NOC level “A”, “B” or “O”. Applications for a designated trade in Saskatchewan are also eligible under this sub-category.

Existing Work Permit Category: This subcategory is for applicants who have already been legally working in Saskatchewan for at least 6 months under a temporary work permit. Applicants must have proof of legal status in Canada and not be refugee claimant when they apply. Applicants must also have an offer for full-time permanent employment in a occupation or trade within NOC levels “A” or “B”, or in a designated trade within Saskatchewan except for those trades in the Hospitality Sector Pilot Project.

Entrepreneurs

As the name suggests, this category is for entrepreneurs who would like to invest their management abilities and capital in a Saskatchewan business. This category improves processing times for such applications and is designed to attract investment and create more jobs in Saskatchewan. Applicants must a minimum net worth of $300,000 CAD that has been accumulated through legal’s means and a minimum of three years entrepreneurial experience or business management experience.

The applicant must make a minimum investment of $150,000 CAD and own at least  1/3 of the business. If the applicant will own less than 1/3 of the business, then he or she must make a minimum investment of $1,000,000 CAD. The applicant must have an active daily role in the management of the Saskatchewan business and make a refundable deposit of $75,000 CAD guaranteeing they will meet the conditions of this category. Other conditions apply.

Family Referral Category

This category is for families living in Saskatchewan who want to help a skilled and educated family member move to and work in the province of Saskatchewan. It is similar to the Family Class Sponsorship program found at the federal level, however spouses or common-law partners are not eligible under this program (such people should apply under the federal program).  Eligible family members for this category include: parents, children, siblings, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, first cousins, grandchildren, grandparents, step-family member/in-laws of the same relationship.

The family members who wish to support their relatives immigrate to the province are responsible to provide support to the applicant and his or her dependents. The principal applicant (the foreign national) must have an offer of employment before moving to the province, and must also meet a number of conditions generally relating to his or her level of education, language proficiency, age and work experience, for example. Other conditions apply.

Farm Owners / Operators Category

This Saskatchewan PNP category is for those foreign nationals who have the intention, experience and ability to invest in and manage a farming operation in Saskatchewan. Applicants must provide a signed offer to purchase a farming operation or land to begin a new farming operation in Saskatchewan. Applicants must have visited Saskatchewan within two years prior to making the offer to purchase and have a net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. Other conditions apply.

If applicants to not meet the requirements of the Farm Owner Category, they may still qualify under the Young Farmer Stream which is also a part of the Farm Owner Category. The Young Farmers Stream is designed to attract foreign farmers who are under the age of 40 and have at least 3 years of experience managing or operating a farm. Applicants under this stream must have a net worth of at least $300,000 CAD and must submit a documented proposal for a commercial farming opportunity in Saskatchewan demonstrating your knowledge and viability of your intended farming business. Applicants must also have marketable employments skills and must have conducted an exploratory visit in Saskatchewan prior to submitting their application.

Health Professions Category

This category is for internationally-trained health professionals who have already been working in Saskatchewan under a temporary work permit for at least 6. Successful applicants under this category will be nominated by the province and have the province’s support in their application to the federal government for their permanent resident status. This category is divided into three sub-categories: 1) physicians; 2) nurses; and 3) other health professionals. Applicants must first get in contact with the regulatory body of the relevant health profession to verify whether they meet Canadian standards and whether any further studies examinations and/or certifications are required to practice in Saskatchewan.

Hospitality Sector Pilot Project

This category allows the province of Saskatchewan to nominate foreign workers who are currently working in the hospitality industry in Saskatchewan. More specifically, foreign workers must have been working in one of the following categories: 1) Food/Beverage Server; 2) Food Counter Attendant/ Kitchen Helper; and 3) Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff.

As the name suggest, this category is a pilot project and therefore it may only be offered for a limited duration of time. Interested applicants must have already been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months on a temporary work permit and must have been offered a full-time permanent position by a Saskatchewan employer approved by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. Once approved and nominated, successful applicants may then apply for their permanent resident status.

Long Haul Truck Drivers Category

This Saskatchewan PNP category allows Saskatchewan trucking firms to bring foreign workers to the province to work as truck drivers for their company. Applicants must have high school diploma or receive on the job training. Successful applicants will first be given a temporary work permit to work in Saskatchewan and the applicant may only apply for permanent resident status once the foreign worker has worked for a minimum of 6 months and his or her employer has offered them permanent employment. Saskatchewan trucking firms must have been in operation for at least 5 years and have an acceptable record of compliance with Canada’s National Safety Code. A number of other conditions apply to Saskatchewan trucking firms and interested applicants.

Student Category

This category permits students who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution within Canada to apply for landed immigrant status. The category is divided into two different streams: 1) Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream; and 2) Master’s and PhD Graduate Stream.

1)    Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream

Applicants under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream must have received a Canadian post-graduation work permit and have a current, permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. Applicants under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Stream must also have worked in Saskatchewan for:

  • at least 6 months if they graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan; or
  • at least 12 months if they graduated from a recognized post secondary institution

Other conditions apply, such as the language abilities that depend on the job category of the applicant.

2)    Master’s and PhD Graduate Stream.

Applicants under this stream must have completed their Master’s of PhD program and at least one year of the program must have been at the University of Regina or the University of Saskatchewan. Applicants must apply within two years of the date they were granted their degree and they must apply from a country in which they have current legal status.

In addition to the other requirements, applicants must intend to live in Saskatchewan and demonstrate their ability to settle and work in Saskatchewan by meeting one of the following criteria below:

  1. the applicant has at least six months of employment in their field of training in Saskatchewan;
  2. the applicant is working in their field of training or has a job offer in Saskatchewan for a term of at least 6 months (in their field of training);
  3. the applicant has enough money to financially support the applicant and accompanying family members for a short duration of time without work.

Other conditions may apply, such as the language abilities that depend on the job category of the applicant.