The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Major Adjustments to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Several Streams Closed, Overseas Recruitment Focuses on Three Key Industries

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) recently announced a series of significant policy adjustments aimed at better addressing the province’s labor market needs and economic development goals. The new policy officially took effect on March 27, 2025, and will have far-reaching impacts on foreign nationals who hope to immigrate to Canada through this program.

Resumption of Job Approval Form (JAF) Acceptance and Limits on Overseas Recruitment

The much-watched Job Approval Form (JAF) application process for employers resumed on March 27. Previously, the province had suspended the acceptance of JAFs on February 18, 2025. JAF is a crucial document that Saskatchewan employers must submit to SINP when sponsoring a foreign worker for provincial nomination for permanent residence (PR); once approved, it generates a Job Approval Letter.

Although the acceptance of JAFs has resumed, SINP has made it clear that this year’s focus will be on processing immigration applications from temporary residents already in the province, with these applications expected to account for 75% of the annual nomination quota. Therefore, for applicants outside Canada, SINP will prioritize candidates working in the three key sectors of healthcare, agriculture, and technical trades when issuing job approvals. Overseas recruitment in all other sectors and occupations will only be supported for applicants who already hold a valid Canadian work permit or work authorization and are working within Canada. SINP indicated that it does not expect to suspend JAF acceptance again in 2025.

Closure of Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator Immigration Streams

Under the current reforms, SINP has closed the following three immigration categories:

  • Entrepreneur category
  • International Graduate Entrepreneur category
  • Farm Owner/Operator category

Effective March 27, 2025, these streams will no longer accept new applications. For applicants who submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) before this date but have not yet received an invitation, their EOIs will be removed from the system and they will not be able to proceed further in the application process. Cases that submitted a formal application before this date will continue to be processed under the old policy standards. SINP stated that there are no plans to reopen these closed streams in the near term.

Annual Nomination Caps Imposed on Specific Industries

To balance development across various industries, SINP has implemented annual nomination caps on the following three sectors:

  • Accommodation and food services
  • Retail trade
  • Truck transportation

According to the new rules, the total number of provincial nominations that can be allocated to these three sectors collectively cannot exceed 25% of SINP’s total nomination quota for the year. This cap will be reviewed and adjusted annually based on the project priorities of each year. SINP has defined the specific occupational scopes for these sectors by integrating both the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.

Even if applications received have reached the 25% cap, SINP will continue to accept JAFs. However, JAFs submitted after the cap is met will only be processed if SINP still requires additional job approvals to meet the overall nomination quota for 2025; otherwise, these later-submitted JAFs will expire at the end of the year, and employers wishing to continue recruiting will need to resubmit in the following year.

Certain Open Work Permit Holders Lose Eligibility

The new policy also restricts the eligibility of some individuals holding open work permits (OWP) from applying for immigration through SINP. According to information on the SINP website, holders of “certain open work permits, such as spousal work permits,” will no longer be eligible to apply. At present, SINP has not provided a detailed list of other OWP types affected by this change. The province’s immigration office stated that this measure is taken due to the “higher risk of exploitation” and “lower retention outcomes” associated with these categories, which contradicts SINP’s goal of attracting new immigrants to make legitimate, stable, and long-term economic contributions.

Raised Eligibility Thresholds for the International Student Category

SINP has also revised the eligibility requirements for the International Student Category. Under the new rules, only students who graduate from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Saskatchewan are eligible to apply, and they must meet the following condition:

  • They must have accumulated at least 6 months (a total of 780 hours) of paid work experience with a Saskatchewan employer in a field related to their targeted occupation and field of study. This work experience can be acquired on campus, off campus, through co-op programs, during a school-certified graduate scholarship project, or via a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Furthermore, PGWP holders who graduated from a DLI outside of Saskatchewan will no longer be eligible to apply through the International Student Category. SINP advises these applicants to consider other pathways, such as the Skilled Worker: Employer Job Offer sub-categories or other channels targeting specific talents (for example, in healthcare or agriculture).

Three Types of Employers Lose SINP Recruitment Eligibility

Effective March 27, 2025, the following types of employers will no longer be eligible to recruit overseas skilled workers through SINP:

  • Spas
  • Salons
  • Pet care services (with the exception of veterinary services)

Information Sessions Arranged

To address questions from employers and potential applicants regarding these policy adjustments, SINP has scheduled online information sessions on April 3 and April 9. Interested parties must register with SINP via email and specify which session they wish to attend.

  • Sessions for potential applicants
    • April 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM (Central Standard Time, CST)
    • April 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM (Central Standard Time, CST)
    • Registration email: [email protected]
  • Sessions for employers
    • April 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM (CST)
    • April 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM (CST)
    • Registration email: [email protected]

This comprehensive reform of the SINP reflects a major strategic shift in Saskatchewan’s approach to attracting and retaining immigrants, placing greater emphasis on meeting the province’s specific labor market needs and prioritizing immigration pathways for temporary residents already in the province.

Tags
Immigration News
PNP
《加拿大公民法》违宪条款修法:法院再延期至11月20日
Unconstitutional Clause in Canada's Citizenship Act Amendment: Court Grants Another Extension Until November 20
A clause in Canada's Citizenship Act known as the "First Generation Limit" (FGL), which restricts the automatic acquisition of Canadian citizenship for children born abroad to Canadian citizens, has been ruled unconstitutional by the court. Although the federal government is required to make amendments, the legislative process has been slow. On April 22, 2025, the Ontario Superior Court once again approved the government's request for an extension, setting the final deadline for amendment at November 20, 2025. In her ruling, the judge acknowledged the ongoing harm caused by the unconstitutional law to those affected and explicitly expressed the expectation that the incoming government, once formed, will prioritize this legislation to rectify the unconstitutional situation as quickly as possible.
04/25/2025
聚焦2025大选:自由党与保守党移民政策立场深度解读
Canada's 2025 Election Approaches: In-Depth Analysis of Liberal and Conservative Immigration Policy Stances
As Canada's 2025 federal election draws near, immigration issues are once again taking center stage in public discourse and political debate. Against the backdrop of widespread concerns about housing affordability, pressure on social services, and labour market demands, the two major political parties – the incumbent Liberal Party and the main opposition Conservative Party – have recently unveiled their campaign platforms and leaders' statements, clearly outlining their potential future immigration trajectories. This report, presented as a professional immigration news piece, aims to dissect and contrast the different policy approaches demonstrated by the two parties across key areas such as permanent resident admission targets, temporary resident management, economic immigration, refugee and asylum processing, and border security, providing readers with a clear comparison of their policy blueprints to better understand their potential impacts.
04/25/2025
爱德华王子岛PNP举行年度第四次抽签:聚焦本地高需求人才
Prince Edward Island PNP Holds Fourth Draw of the Year: Focus on High-Demand Local Talent
On April 17, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted its fourth draw of the year through the Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), issuing a total of 168 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This draw prioritized applicants who have been working in the province for at least one year, particularly those employed in healthcare, trades, and manufacturing sectors. Additional priority was given to international graduates from designated institutions. So far in 2025, PEI has issued a total of 401 invitations through its PNP, all from the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams.
04/24/2025
阿尔伯塔省4月连发三轮省提名,81名医疗人才获移民邀请
Alberta Conducts Three Targeted PNP Draws in Early April, Inviting 81 Healthcare Professionals
Between April 1st and 8th, 2025, Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) initiated three consecutive draws, specifically targeting and inviting 81 healthcare professionals through three distinct immigration streams. This recruitment effort utilized both Express Entry and non-Express Entry pathways, featuring significantly lower minimum scores compared to regular program streams. Notably, the non-Express Entry healthcare stream saw a minimum score of just 53, reportedly the lowest for an Alberta PNP draw in nearly two years. Policy details cover 9 in-demand healthcare occupations, requiring applicants to meet both professional licensing and language proficiency standards.
04/23/2025
深度解析加拿大公民申请延误陷阱:如何高效规避三大风险
In-Depth Analysis of Canadian Citizenship Application Delay Pitfalls: How to Efficiently Avoid Three Major Risks
For many permanent residents in Canada, obtaining citizenship is the final chapter in achieving the "Canadian Dream." However, potential "minefields" in the application process cannot be ignored. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly states that incomplete application materials, missed crucial appointments, and issues related to inadmissibility are the three main reasons applications shift from "routine" to "complex," encountering lengthy delays. This report will deeply analyze these common obstacles and provide professional advice on mitigating risks and accelerating the processing timeline.
04/22/2025
加拿大永久居民境外遗失枫叶卡?返加必备文件申请全攻略
Losing Your Canadian PR Card Abroad? Your Essential Document Application Guide for Returning to Canada
As a Canadian permanent resident, your PR card is the official document confirming your status, and it's crucial if you plan to return to Canada by commercial transportation after traveling abroad. If your PR card is lost or stolen while outside Canada, you will face difficulties re-entering unless you have a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). This article provides a professional breakdown of how to apply for a PRTD through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), detailing the application process, conditions for urgent processing, and specific rules for entering via land borders, aiming to offer clear, expert guidance for permanent residents in this situation.
04/22/2025
BC省提名发布最新企业家移民抽选结果:仅5人获邀,分数线维持高位
British Columbia Issues New Entrepreneur Immigration Invitations via PNP Base Stream
On April 15, 2025, British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its third Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream draw of the year. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination were issued to 5 candidates, with the minimum required score set at 115. This draw strictly adheres to the province's 2025 policy standards, requiring applicants to possess significant net worth, make substantial direct investments, and commit to creating local jobs. The concurrent Regional Entrepreneur stream, guided by policy incentives favouring specific communities, signals BC's strategic shift towards aligning immigration with regional economic goals.
04/21/2025
曼尼托巴省推特别工签政策(MPNP):保障省提名候选人合法工作身份
Manitoba Launches Special Work Permit Policy (MPNP) to Safeguard Legal Work Status of Provincial Nominee Candidates (MPNP)
The Government of Manitoba, Canada, has announced the launch of a special work permit initiative starting April 22, 2025. This initiative will allow certain candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) to continue working legally while awaiting immigration results. The policy is intended to bridge the “status gap” in current immigration procedures and prevent valuable international workers from being forced to leave due to expired permits. The application window remains open until December 31, 2025.
04/18/2025
加拿大快速通道STEM类移民职业大幅调整:新增6类职业,19类被移除
Major Adjustment to Canada’s Express Entry STEM Occupations: 6 New Jobs Added, 19 Removed
In February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a significant update to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) occupation list under Express Entry (EE). The new list has been reduced from 30 to 11 occupations. Traditional engineering roles (such as civil and mechanical engineers) and cybersecurity specialists have been retained, while 19 information technology (IT) related roles, including software development and data science, were removed. This shift aims to better align immigration with Canada’s real-world industrial skills gap and provide applicants with clearer pathways.
04/17/2025
加拿大移民评分机制调整:快速通道(Express Entry)候选人结构重组,CRS高分优势不再
Structural Overhaul of Express Entry Candidate Pool Diminishes CRS Score Advantages, Reshaping Competitive Landscape
Following Canada’s elimination of the "Arranged Employment" policy in the Express Entry CRS scoring system on March 25, 2025, the distribution of candidate scores has undergone seismic shifts. The 501-600 CRS bracket plummeted by 5,740 applicants, while mid-to-low score segments surged. Despite a net increase of 7,373 candidates in the total pool within three weeks of the policy change, the top 10% high-score brackets lost 8,342 profiles. This structural realignment may redefine future ITA trends, particularly impacting traditional skilled immigrants’ competitive edge.
04/16/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK