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

Saskatchewan’s held a new draw on January 7, inviting immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited candidates from the International Skilled Worker category through two subcategories: Express Entry, and Occupations In-Demand.  A total of 385 invitations were sent out to immigration candidates who had work experience in select occupations. A total of 148 were invited through the Express Entry sub-category, and 237 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 71 in order to be invited. This is the provincial requirement, not the Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff. Invited candidates all had Educational Credential Assessments.

Saskatchewan invited candidates who had work experience in one of 79 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 labor 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.

Saskatchewan gives candidates a score out of 100 according to the International Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid. The highest-scoring candidates are then issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan.

At the end of 2020,  Saskatchewan introduced changes to its points system to give more EOI points to people who can speak English and French.

Express Entry sub-category

In the latest invitation round, Saskatchewan issued 148 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 71 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.

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 237 Occupations In-Demand candidates invited to apply for a provincial nomination, and like the Express Entry sub-category, candidates needed a provincial score of 71 in order to be chosen.