Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand (International Skilled Worker)

Important change: In late 2019, Saskatchewan changed the eligibility requirements for the Occupations In-Demand sub-category. Previously, candidates had to have work experience in an occupation listed on Saskatchewan’s in-demand list. Now, candidates must have work experience in a high-skilled occupation that is not listed on Saskatchewan’s Excluded Occupations List.

Saskatchewan considers high-skilled work experience to be any work experience obtained at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, or 3.

The Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category is not aligned with the federal Express Entry system. Consequently, successful applicants can apply directly to the Canadian government for permanent resident status, and do not need to create an Express Entry profile, or receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw, in order to apply.

Potential candidates may be outside Canada, or in Canada with legal status, and a job offer is not required.

The Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category operates with the SINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Similar to Express Entry, candidates must first submit an EOI which is ranked using a points system. Then, invitations are periodically issued to the highest ranked candidates.

Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand: Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category, potential candidates need at least one year of high-skilled work experience in the past 10 years in their field of education or training and in an occupation at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. That work experience must have been obtained in an occupation that is not on the SINP Excluded Occupations List:

SINP Excluded Occupations List

In addition, potential applicants to the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category must also:

• Score at least 60 points out of 110 on the SINP point assessment grid (see below);
• Demonstrate a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 (employers and/or regulatory bodies may require higher language scores);
• Have a diploma, certificate, or degree from a post-secondary study or training program, or an apprenticeship, of at least one year in length. This qualification must be comparable to the Canadian education system, and if you obtained it outside of Canada you must submit an educational credential assessment (ECA) from a designated organization.
• Show proof of Professional Status or Licensure (for regulated occupations or those with professional certification standards in Canada and/or Saskatchewan) if required for your occupation (up-to-date certification standards can be downloaded from Saskatchewan’s website); and
• Demonstrate settlement funds and a settlement plan.

SINP Points Assessment Grid

Potential applicants can create a profile in the SINP online system OASIS. Upon completing your profile, you will be assigned a points score out of 110 based on the following factors. Candidates need to score at least 60 points in order to be able to submit an EOI. However, meeting a minimum of 60 points does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply. Candidates in the pool are ranked according to their scores out of 110, and the highest-ranking candidates will receive an invitation when Saskatchewan immigration authorities conduct a draw from the pool of SINP skilled worker candidates.

I: Labour Market Success

A: Education and training

B: Skilled work experience

(i) In the five-year period prior to application submission date:

(ii) In the 6-10-year period prior to application submission date:

C: Language ability

D: Age

Maximum points for Factor 1: 80

Factor 2: Connection to Saskatchewan labour market & adaptability

The SINP recognizes that candidates with a strong connection to Saskatchewan and the labour market may have a genuine intent and ability to settle in the province successfully, so connections to Saskatchewan earn further points.

Maximum points for Factor 2: 30

Maximum points total: 1 + 2 = 110

There are many factors at play here, so some examples may help to make sense of the matrix.

There are many factors at play here, so some examples may help to make sense of the matrix.

Christopher, 33, has worked as a manager in horticulture for eight years – a high-skilled occupation that is not on the excluded list. He completed a two-year program at a college at home in the United Kingdom, and he has a diploma. After taking an English language test, he also has an overall CLB score of 9. He has no family in Saskatchewan, and has not worked or studied in the province. Based on the above points matrix, he would obtain 60 points.

Sachin is 40. After completing a one-year diploma in mechanics, he has worked as a motor vehicle body repairer in India for 16 years and his occupation is not on the excluded list. He has language results of CLB 5 from an English test, and his cousin lives in Saskatoon with his family. These factors combine to give Sachin 71 points.

Maria, 32, completed a diploma in Early Childhood Education at Saskatchewan Polytechnic eight years ago. She then returned to her home country of Child, where she has been working as an early childhood educator for seven years – employment that counts as in-demand, since this occupation is not on the excluded list. She has language test results demonstrating a CLB level 8 in English. This gives Maria a score of 64 points, enough for her to be able to plan a return to living in Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

The candidates in these scenarios meet the minimum requirement of 60 points, and so they may submit an EOI. However, this does not guarantee that they will receive an invitation to apply to the ISW category.

Receiving an EOI

The top-scoring candidates who receive an EOI can then apply to the SINP for provincial nomination. At this point, there is a non-refundable fee of $350 required in order to complete the application. The SINP reviews each application and informs the applicant whether he or she is eligible for nomination, or not. Nominated candidates can then apply directly to the Canadian government for permanent resident status.

PNP Live Tracker

The Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category is active and dynamic, and may change at any time. To help you stay up to date with the latest changes, Moving2Canada has created the exclusive PNP Live Tracker. Check back often to keep track of the latest news.