Saskatchewan Experience: Immigration for foreign workers in Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Experience category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers a route to permanent resident status for such workers in specific occupations.

Saskatchewan Experience has a number of sub-categories that target various specific occupations. The SINP has identified that there may be gaps in these occupations in the province, meaning that candidates with these skills have a strong chance of finding work and settling permanently in the province.

As the Saskatchewan Experience category is not linked with the federal Express Entry system, applicants do not need to create an Express Entry profile and await an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a draw. Instead, if you are eligible to apply, you can submit an application directly to the SINP. If approved, you can then apply to the Canadian government for permanent resident status.

This means that some candidates who may not be eligible to apply through the Express Entry system, or whose Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is lower than the cut-off point in draws, may still have a route to Canadian immigration.

Eligible applicants can submit an application at any time.

Skilled worker with existing work permit

This Saskatchewan Experience sub-category targets skilled workers in occupations in Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. Workers must have at least six months’ work experience in Saskatchewan with a valid work permit.

Applicants must also have:

• a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. The job offer must be for a position that it either at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, or in a designated trade;
• Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and Francophone Mobility work permit holders may now apply to the SINP’s Existing Work Permit sub-category in TEER “4” and “5” occupations.
• a valid SINP Job Approval Letter;
• at least six months’ work experience with the employer offering the job, and in the same position as the one stated in the job offer; and
• proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if your occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires compulsory certification or licensure.

Semi-skilled agricultural worker with existing work permit

General farm workers and nursery and greenhouse workers may apply through this Saskatchewan Experience sub-category, if they are otherwise eligible. This is a highly specific sub-category; only candidates in the following occupations may be eligible:

• NOC 85100: Livestock labourers
• NOC 85101: Harvesting labourers
• NOC 84120: Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
• NOC 85103: Nursery and Greenhouse labourers

Applicants also need:

• a valid SINP Job Approval Letter;
• at least six months’ work experience with the employer offering the job, and in the same position as the one stated in the job offer;
• a valid Canadian work permit in one of the following programs:
  • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program,
  • International Experience Canada, or
  • Temporary Foreign Worker Program;
• a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) proving that they have completed the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school (high school) education or above; and
• a minimum language score of CLB 4, if the job offer is in a TEER 4 occupation.

Health professionals

Physicians, nurses, and other health professionals may be eligible to apply through this Saskatchewan Experience sub-category if they have been working full-time in Saskatchewan with a temporary work permit for at least six months.

Potential nurses and physicians must demonstrate they have the educational and professional qualifications to work in their field in Saskatchewan. There are slightly different further criteria for each profession in order to be eligible.

• Physicians need a valid work permit, and must have been practicing as a physician in Saskatchewan for at least six months. They must have a permanent, full-time job offer from the provincial health authority or health education institution where they are working. The job offer must be verified with documents that demonstrate they plan to permanently practice medicine in Saskatchewan. Potential physician candidates must also have a SINP Job Approval Letter. The SINP also contacts the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan to verify a potential candidate’s licence and expiry date, stated in a letter of support from the College.
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Psychiatric Nurses, or Registered Nurses (RNs) need a valid work permit, a permanent, full-time job offer from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, or another publicly-funded health employer, and a valid SINP Job Approval Letter. The SINP states it will contact the appropriate licensing bodies to verify each candidate has an unrestricted licence to practice in Saskatchewan.
• The SINP states that other health professionals may be eligible if they are currently working in health jobs in the TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3, and have a permanent, full-time job offer from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, or another health employer. Potential candidates must have at least six months’ work experience with the employer offering them the job, and at least one year post-secondary education or job-specific training. In addition, they must have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter. Potential candidates in occupations classed in TEER Category 4 are also required to prove a language ability of CLB 4 or better. If the occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan, or requires certification or licensure, candidates must show they are eligible for licensure. The SINP states it will also contact the appropriate licensing body for a letter of support for each candidate, and a letter of support from the employer ensuring that the job offered to the immigration candidate was advertised in line with any union agreements, and remains unfilled.

Hospitality Sector Project

This Saskatchewan Experience sub-category welcomes candidates working in food and beverage service, kitchen help, housekeeping, and other occupations classed as NOC 65200 (Food and beverage servers), 65201 (Food counter attendants/kitchen helpers), and 65310 (Light duty cleaners).

As a sub-category that receives applications from applicants in occupations considered “unskilled” by the Canadian government, this can provide a Canadian immigration opportunity for individuals who may not be eligible to apply through other routes, such as the Express Entry system. Employers must be approved by the Saskatchewan Hospitality Project, and they need to submit a recruitment and settlement plan as part of any candidate’s application.

Applicants must:

• have a valid Canadian work permit in either NOC 65200, 65201, or 65310;
• have an offer for a permanent, full-time job from an approved Saskatchewan Hospitality employer, and a valid SINP job letter;
• have completed secondary school (high school) education to the equivalent of Canada’s Grade 12;
• be working for an employer approved by the Hospitality Sector Project;
• have at least six months’ work experience in Saskatchewan, while meeting all required work and performance standards; and
• demonstrate an English language ability of at least a CLB level 4 or higher in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing categories.

Long-haul Truck Driver Project

The SINP has a dedicated sub-category for long-haul truck drivers to immigrate to Saskatchewan. Long-haul truck drivers working on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permit in Saskatchewan for an approved trucking firm may be eligible to apply.

Applicant must also have:

• a permanent, full-time job offer from their current employer, which must be a SINP-approved trucking firm, and a valid SINP Job Approval Letter;
• at least six months’ work experience with a SINP-approved trucking firm;
• a current Saskatchewan Class 1A driver’s licence; and
• an English language ability of at least a CLB level 4 or higher in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing categories.

Students

The SINP is keen to retain international graduates who have studied in Saskatchewan, as they are likely to have already integrated well into life in the province during their studies, contributing significantly to the community and economy. In addition, the high standard of post-secondary education in Saskatchewan means such graduates are also likely to be highly skilled, with a strong language ability.

Interestingly, this Saskatchewan Experience sub-category is not limited to international graduates who have studied in Saskatchewan. If you have graduated from a recognized university or college anywhere in Canada, you may be eligible to apply to the SINP. However, the eligibility criteria are slightly different for out-of-province graduates.

Student eligibility requirements

There is an important exception within this sub-category: international graduates with a job and a job offer in the food and beverage service industry, or any industry covered by the Hospitality Sector Project, must apply through that sub-category.

International graduates do not have to apply through this sub-category. If you are an international graduate and eligible to apply to another category of the SINP, you may do so. However, this sub-category may be beneficial for graduates as there is no minimum points requirement to meet, and the minimum work experience requirement is lower than that of other categories.

What next?

If you believe you meet the criteria for your occupation’s Saskatchewan Experience sub-category and have the documentation required, you can apply directly to the SINP through your sub-category. The application can be submitted online, and the SINP will then inform you if you are eligible or not. Eligible candidates are nominated by the province, and can apply directly to the Canadian government for permanent resident status.

PNP Live Tracker

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