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Demystifying the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

SINP frequency asked questions

what is SINP?
SINP stands for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. It is a provincial immigration program in Canada that allows the province of Saskatchewan to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and settle in Saskatchewan. The program is designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors to contribute to the province’s economy and society.
what is job approval letter (JAL)?
A SINP job approval letter is an official document confirming the endorsement of a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer to a foreign national. It’s crucial for certain streams of the SINP, indicating that the job offer meets specific criteria set by the program.
Who is eligible for sinp?
General eligibility often includes criteria such as age, language ability, education, work experience, and adaptability factors, but specifics can vary greatly between the streams. For example, some require a minimum language score, while others focus more on work experience or connections to the province. Eligibility for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) varies depending on which of its multiple categories you are applying under
International Skilled Worker Category

This category is for skilled workers abroad who want to work and live in Saskatchewan. There are a few streams under this category:

• Saskatchewan Express Entry: Requires candidates to have an Express Entry profile and meet criteria such as having work experience in a high-skilled occupation found on Saskatchewan’s In-Demand Occupations List.
• Occupation In-Demand: Aimed at skilled workers who have experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan but are not necessarily in the Express Entry pool.
• Employment Offer: For those who have a job offer for a skilled occupation in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Experience Category

This is for foreign nationals who are currently working and living in Saskatchewan. Streams under this category include:

• Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit
• Semi-Skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit
• Health Professionals
• Hospitality Sector Project
• Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
• Students

Entrepreneur Category

This is for individuals who plan to start a business in Saskatchewan. Candidates must submit an Expression of Interest to the SINP and, if invited to apply, must meet various criteria related to investment and business operation in the province.

Farm Owner and Operator Category

Aimed at experienced farmers who plan to buy and operate a farm in Saskatchewan. Applicants must have considerable capital to invest in a farming operation and must plan to live and farm in Saskatchewan.

What score is required for SINP?
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) uses a points-based system to assess candidates in some of its immigration categories, such as the International Skilled Worker category. This points system evaluates candidates based on factors including education, work experience, language ability, age, and connections to the Saskatchewan labor market.

To be eligible for nomination under the SINP’s International Skilled Worker category, applicants typically need to score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid. However, meeting the minimum point requirement does not guarantee nomination, as candidates may also need to meet other criteria specific to the sub-category they are applying under (e.g., Saskatchewan Express Entry or Occupation In-Demand). Please refer to above section for reference.

Points that you claim will be confirmed by the documents you show later. You can claim points once for each section.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 12-23 points

Master’s or Doctorate degree (Canadian equivalency).	23
Bachelor’s degree OR at least a three-year degree at a university or college.	20
Trade certification equivalent to journeyperson status in Saskatchewan.	20
Canadian equivalency diploma that requires two (but less than three) years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other post-secondary institution.	15
Canadian equivalency certificate or at least two semesters (but less than a two-year program) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other post-secondary institution.	12

SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE: 0-15 points

Your work experience must relate to the job you have put on your application. One year of work experience equals 12 full months.
a) Work experience in the 5 years prior to application submission date.
5 years	10
4 years	8
3 years	6
2 years	4
1 year	2
b) In the 6-10 years prior to application submission date.
5 years	5
4 years	4
3 years	3
2 years	2
Less than 1 year	0

LANGUAGE ABILITY: 0 -30 points

Check IRCC’s website to convert your IELTS, CELPIP or TEF scores to CLB 4-10.
a) First Language Test (English or French)
CLB 8 and higher	20
CLB 7	18
CLB 6	16
CLB 5	14
CLB 4	12
English or French speaker without language test results.	0
b) Second Language Test (English or French)
CLB 8 or higher	10
CLB 7	8
CLB 6	6
CLB 5	4
CLB 4	2
Not Applicable	0

AGE: 0-12 points

Less than 18 years	0
18 – 21 years	8
22 – 34 years	12
35 – 45 years	10
46 – 50 years	8
More than 50 years	0

CONNECTION TO SASKATCHEWAN LABOUR MARKET & ADAPTABILITY: 0-30

oints are given for having a connection to the Saskatchewan labour market. This shows your ability to successfully settle in Saskatchewan as a permanent resident.
The following points are for the Employment Offer subcategory only:
High skilled employment offer from a Saskatchewan employer	30
The following points are for the Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry subcategories only
Close family relative in Saskatchewan The applicant or accompanying spouse has a family relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Saskatchewan and is not supporting any other family relatives at the time of your application. Eligible family members are a: parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin and step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships. The family members in Saskatchewan must meet the requirements as listed under “Required Documents” for your ISW sub-category. If your close relative in Saskatchewan has supported other relatives before your application, you must submit proof that the nominee who your close relative previously supported has been settled successfully in Saskatchewan for at least six months.	20
Past work experience in Saskatchewan At least 12 months of work in the past five years on a valid work permit.	5
Past student experience in Saskatchewan At least one full-time academic year at a recognized Saskatchewan post-secondary education institution on a valid study permit.	5

do you know that you can earn additional points by proving CONNECTION TO SASKATCHEWAN LABOUR MARKET & ADAPTABILITY

30 points by having a High skilled employment offer from a Saskatchewan

20 points by having Close family relative in Saskatchewan

5 points by having at least 12 months of work in the past five years on a valid work permit.

5 points by having at least one full-time academic year at a recognized Saskatchewan post-secondary education institution on a valid study permit

How long does SINP process take?
The processing time is updated every quarter (every three months). It shows the average time it took that quarter to process an application. the processing time for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) can vary significantly based on the category under which an application is submitted, the completeness of the application, and the current processing volumes at the time of submission. Generally, processing times can range from a few months to over a year.
International Skilled

SINP Category	Quarter 3: 2023-24 (October 1 to December 31, 2023)
Employment Offer	4 weeks
Occupation In-Demand	39 weeks*
Express Entry	33 weeks*
Tech Talent Pathway	3 weeks
Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot	3 weeks

Saskatchewan Experience

Saskatchewan Experience

SINP Category	Quarter 3: 2023-24 (October 1 to December 31, 2023)
Existing Work Permit	2 weeks
Health Professionals	1 week
International Students	2 weeks
Truck Drivers	Not available due to sample size.
Hospitality Workers	1 week

Entrepreneur & Farm

The goal is to process all Entrepreneur and Farm applications (including Entrepreneur Nomination requests) within 12 weeks, and all Good Faith Deposit Return requests within 24 weeks.

SINP Category	Quarter 3: 2023-24 (October 1 to December 31, 2023)
Entrepreneur Applications*	5 weeks
Entrepreneurs Nominations	2 weeks
Farmers**	Not available due to sample size.

Job Approval Letter (JAL)

SINP Category	Quarter 3: 2023-24 (October 1 to December 31, 2023)
Job Approval	4 weeks

Does obtaining a SINP nomination simplify the process of acquiring permanent residency (PR)?
Receiving a provincial nomination from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) significantly increases your chances of obtaining Canadian Permanent Residency (PR), mainly because it demonstrates that a province supports your application. Here’s why a SINP nomination can make the PR process relatively easier:
Additional Points in Express Entry: If you are applying through an Express Entry-linked SINP stream, receiving a provincial nomination awards you an additional 600 points on your Express Entry profile. This effectively guarantees that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Direct Pathway to PR: For those applying through SINP’s non-Express Entry streams, a successful nomination means you can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for PR as a provincial nominee.
it’s important to note that while a SINP nomination does facilitate the process of obtaining PR, applicants still need to meet federal immigration criteria, including security, criminality, and medical checks. The process also requires thorough documentation and adherence to procedural steps, which can be time-consuming and complex.
When will Hard to fill scheme of SINP resume?
As of January 11, 2024, the Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot is closed for a program review, to be completed in Spring 2024. Occupations in the health care, agriculture or value-add agriculture sectors are excluded from the closure. Job Approval Forms received prior to January 11, 2024, will be processed if candidates were identified at the time of submission or if existing employees working in Saskatchewan are added by January 22, 2024.
Would a nomination from SINP assist my Express Entry profile?
Yes, obtaining a nomination from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) can significantly benefit your Express Entry profile. Here’s how:

Additional Points: If you secure a provincial nomination through one of SINP’s Express Entry-linked streams, you will receive an additional 600 points toward your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This substantial increase in points effectively ensures that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Increased Chances: With the boosted CRS score, your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence are greatly enhanced, making the SINP nomination a highly advantageous route for Express Entry candidates looking to secure permanent residency in Canada.

Strategic Benefit: For candidates who may not have high enough CRS scores to be competitive in the Express Entry pool due to factors like age, language proficiency, or work experience, receiving a provincial nomination can be a crucial strategy for achieving their immigration goals.

It’s important to ensure you meet the specific criteria set out by the SINP for its Express Entry-linked nomination process, which includes having a profile in the Express Entry system and meeting the minimum requirements of one of the Federal High Skilled immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class) as well as the criteria specific to the SINP’s Express Entry stream.

February 15, 2024: Alberta Opportunity Stream intake pause

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has temporarily halted the intake of applications for the Alberta Opportunity Stream until further notice.

Applications already submitted for the Alberta Opportunity Stream before the pause will continue to be assessed by the AAIP. However, any draft applications within the AAIP portal that were not submitted before the pause, even those awaiting final fee payment, will not be considered.

This pause is necessary for the program to address its current backlog and to concentrate its immigration nominations on priority areas, such as addressing labor shortages in critical sectors like healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and other high-demand fields.

The AAIP will also be implementing measures to effectively manage future application volumes in line with program priorities while ensuring reasonable service standards are maintained across all its streams.