Immigration candidates were invited to apply to Saskatchewan’s Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand streams.

Saskatchewan’s latest draw was held on December 1.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited candidates from the International Skilled Worker category through two subcategories: Express Entry, and Occupations In-Demand. They sent out a total of 564 invitations to immigration candidates who had work experience in select occupations. A total of 138 were invited through the Express Entry sub-category, and 426 invitations went to Occupations In-Demand candidates.

In order to be invited in this draw, candidates from both sub-categories needed to have submitted Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles with the SINP. Regardless of the category, invited candidates needed an EOI score of at least 74 in order to be invited. This is the provincial requirement, not the Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff. Invited candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

Invited candidates also needed work experience in one of 86 occupations. To see which occupations were included, go to the government webpage.

The SINP uses the EOI system to select the candidates that have the most potential to succeed in the regional labour market. Candidates need to demonstrate their commitment to building a life in Saskatchewan by showcasing their work experience, education, language ability, age, and connections to the province.

The SINP uses these five factors to assess candidates and give them a score out of 100 on the International Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid. The highest-scoring candidates are then issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan.

Recently, Saskatchewan started giving more EOI points to people who can speak English and French.

Express Entry sub-category

In the latest invitation round, Saskatchewan issued 138 invitations to candidates who had profiles in the federal Express Entry pool.

The federal Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada’s main economic-class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

If candidates in the federal Express Entry pool also filled out an EOI for Saskatchewan, and they scored 74 on the SINP’s Points Assessment Grid they may have been invited in the latest draw.

Express Entry candidates who apply for and receive a provincial nomination from the province of Saskatchewan are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This award effectively guarantees that they will be invited to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw, as most invitation rounds invite candidates with scores above 470.

The same goes for any one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs that are aligned with Express Entry.

Occupations In-Demand sub-category

The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is open to immigration candidates who do not have a federal Express Entry profile. This program is for immigration candidates who have work experience in occupations that have labor shortages in Saskatchewan.

There were 426 Occupations In-Demand candidates invited to apply for a provincial nomination, and like the Express Entry sub-category, candidates needed a provincial score of 74 in order to be chosen.