Saskatchewan attracts newcomers with its strong economy, affordable housing and steady demand for skilled workers. The province selects candidates for permanent residence through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), which nominates people who can meet its labour market and economic needs. A provincial nomination does not grant permanent residence by itself, but it supports an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – and through Express Entry an enhanced nomination adds 600 Comprehensive Ranking System points.
The 2026 Sector-Based Allocation
For 2026, Saskatchewan has a total nomination allocation of 4,761 – a reduced figure that reflects federal cuts to the Provincial Nominee Program. The province has moved to a sector-based system:
- Priority sectors – health care, agriculture, skilled trades, energy, mining and minerals, manufacturing and technology – are reserved at least 50 per cent of nominations. Candidates in these sectors are not subject to intake windows.
- Capped sectors are limited to no more than 25 per cent in total, with annual sub-caps: accommodation and food services 15 per cent (714 nominations), trucking 5 per cent (238) and retail trade 5 per cent (238).
- Other sectors share the remainder and are not subject to intake windows.
- A minimum of 750 nominations are reserved for graduates of Saskatchewan post-secondary designated learning institutions with a job offer in a priority sector.
For capped sectors, employers can submit Employer Position Assessment applications only during scheduled intake windows (January, March, May, July, September and November), and only for candidates with six months or less remaining on their work permit. Read our news coverage of the major SINP changes for 2026 for more detail.
Is Saskatchewan Right for You?
Saskatchewan can be an excellent option if your occupation is in a priority sector, you have a genuine connection to the province, or you already work or study there. With a reduced 2026 allocation, competition is tighter, so a strong, well-documented profile is important. To compare it with other routes, see our overview of the ways to immigrate to Canada.
The SINP’s worker programs are divided into two major categories – the International Skilled Worker category and the Saskatchewan Experience category – each with its own sub-categories and requirements, set out below. Every sub-category charges a non-refundable $500 SINP application fee.
Job offers under the SINP are now supported through an Employer Position Assessment (EPA): the Saskatchewan employer registers with the SINP and submits the EPA, and the candidate confirms the details once it is conditionally approved. The EPA has replaced the former Job Approval Letter.
International Skilled Worker Category
This category is for skilled workers, mostly outside Saskatchewan, who wish to work and live in the province.
1. Employment Offer
- A permanent, full-time job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, supported by a valid Employer Position Assessment.
- A score of at least 60 points on the SINP point assessment grid.
- At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in your intended occupation.
- A language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 (employers or regulators may require more).
- Eligibility for Saskatchewan licensing if your occupation is a compulsory trade or regulated.
Truck drivers must apply under the Existing Work Permit sub-category, and health occupations (NOC broad category 3) must apply through the Health Talent Pathway.
2. Occupation In-Demand
For skilled workers without a Saskatchewan job offer who are not in the federal Express Entry pool.
- A score of at least 60 out of 110 on the SINP point assessment grid.
- A language score of at least CLB 4.
- Completed post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship related to your intended occupation, with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for education outside Canada.
- At least one year of full-time paid work experience in the past 10 years in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation that is in demand in Saskatchewan, related to your education and not on the Excluded Occupation List.
- Proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
You apply by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) and must be invited from the EOI pool before submitting a full application.
3. Saskatchewan Express Entry
For skilled workers already accepted into IRCC’s Express Entry pool. A job offer is not required.
- A valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code.
- A score of at least 60 points on the SINP point assessment grid.
- A language test result that meets the federal Express Entry language requirements for your Express Entry program – not simply CLB 4. Results must match the language level declared in your Express Entry profile.
- Completed post-secondary education or training comparable to at least one year of Canadian education, related to your intended occupation, with an ECA for education outside Canada.
- Work experience in an occupation that is not on the Excluded Occupation List and is eligible under Saskatchewan’s in-demand and Express Entry occupation requirements, meeting one of these minimums:
- skilled professionals (not tradespeople): one year of work experience in the past 10 years;
- skilled tradespeople: two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
- Canadian Experience Class candidates: one year of work experience in Canada in the past three years.
- The work experience must be in the field of your completed education or training and related to your intended job.
- Proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
Like Occupation In-Demand, this sub-category uses the EOI system. A nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile.
4. Agriculture Talent Pathway
- A language score of at least CLB 4.
- Secondary school (high school) or higher.
- At least one year of full-time work experience in the past three years in your intended occupation, or six months (780 hours) of full-time work with the employer supporting your Employer Position Assessment.
- A permanent, full-time job offer in an eligible agricultural occupation, supported by an Employer Position Assessment, and an intention to live and work in Saskatchewan.
Eligible occupations:
- 14401 Storekeepers and partspersons
- 75101 Material handlers
- 84120 Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- 85100 Livestock labourers
- 85101 Harvesting labourers
- 85103 Nursery and greenhouse labourers
- 94140 Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
- 94141 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
- 94143 Testers and graders, food and beverage processing
- 94204 Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
- 95106 Labourers in food and beverage processing
Several of these occupations require the supporting employer to operate in a specified agricultural setting; check the official occupation notes before applying.
5. Health Talent Pathway
Non-Express Entry:
- English and/or French language score of at least CLB 5.
- If applying from in Saskatchewan: six months (780 hours) of full-time work with the employer supporting your Employer Position Assessment; otherwise at least one year of work experience in your occupation in the last five years.
- Post-secondary education related to the job offered (a degree, a three-year program, or a diploma requiring two years). For NOCs 33101, 33102, 33103, 33109 and 44101, an unrelated program of at least two years, or a related one-year program plus two years of work experience in the past five years, is also accepted.
- Eligibility for Saskatchewan licensing, where applicable, and a permanent, full-time health sector job offer.
Express Entry: a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code, CLB 7 or higher, and one year of related high-skilled work experience in the past five years; otherwise the same as above.
Eligible occupations include health care managers, physicians and specialists, nurses (registered, psychiatric, licensed practical and nurse practitioners), pharmacists, therapists, dental and medical technologists and technicians, paramedics, and assisting occupations such as nurse aides and home support workers. Check the official list for the current NOC codes.
6. Tech Talent Pathway
Non-Express Entry:
- If applying from in Saskatchewan: six months (780 hours) of full-time work with your supporting employer; if applying from inside or outside Canada: one year of related high-skilled work experience in the past five years.
- CLB 5 or higher in English and/or French (or the language requirement set by your employer if you already work for them).
- Eligibility for Saskatchewan licensing where applicable, including specific requirements for agrologists and certain engineers.
- Post-secondary education related to the job offered.
- A permanent, full-time job offer in an eligible innovation or technology occupation, supported by an Employer Position Assessment.
Express Entry: the same as above, except you must have a valid Express Entry profile and meet the federal Express Entry language requirements.
Eligible occupations cover technology, science and engineering roles – for example computer and information systems managers, software engineers and developers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, web developers, chemists, geoscientists, biologists, and electrical, computer, chemical, mining and petroleum engineers. The list has expanded considerably; check the official pathway page for the current NOC codes.
SINP Points Assessment Grid
The International Skilled Worker Employment Offer, Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-categories require at least 60 points out of 110.
Factor I: Labour Market Success (maximum 80 points)
Education and training
- Master’s or doctorate degree: 23
- Bachelor’s degree or at least a three-year program: 20
- Trade certification equivalent to journeyperson status in Saskatchewan: 20
- Diploma requiring two (but less than three) years: 15
- Certificate or at least two semesters (less than a two-year program): 12
Skilled work experience in the 5 years before applying
- 5 years: 10
- 4 years: 8
- 3 years: 6
- 2 years: 4
- 1 year: 2
Skilled work experience 6–10 years before applying
- 5 years: 5
- 4 years: 4
- 3 years: 3
- 2 years: 2
- Less than 1 year: 0
Language ability – first official language
- CLB 8 or higher: 20
- CLB 7: 18
- CLB 6: 16
- CLB 5: 14
- CLB 4: 12
- No test results: 0
Language ability – second official language
- CLB 8 or higher: 10
- CLB 7: 8
- CLB 6: 6
- CLB 5: 4
- CLB 4: 2
- Not applicable: 0
Age
- Under 18: 0
- 18–21: 8
- 22–34: 12
- 35–45: 10
- 46–50: 8
- Over 50: 0
Factor II: Connection to the Saskatchewan Labour Market and Adaptability (maximum 30 points)
- High-skilled employment offer from a Saskatchewan employer (Employment Offer sub-category only): 30
- Close family relative in Saskatchewan (Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry only): 20
- Past work in Saskatchewan – at least 12 months in the past five years on a valid work permit (Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry only): 5
- Past study in Saskatchewan – at least one full-time academic year on a valid study permit (Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry only): 5
Total maximum: 110 points. Meeting the 60-point minimum makes you eligible, but candidates with higher scores are more likely to be invited from the EOI pool, and you must still meet the minimum score of the selection round through which you were invited.
Saskatchewan Experience Category
This category is for people already living and working or studying in Saskatchewan.
1. Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit
- A permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, supported by an Employer Position Assessment.
- A valid work permit issued by IRCC. Holders of a CUAET work permit, an LMIA-supported work permit or a Francophone Mobility work permit can apply in TEER 0 to 5 occupations; holders of other work permits can apply in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations or a designated trade.
- Open spousal work permit holders and study permit holders are not eligible under this sub-category.
- Truck drivers (NOC 73300) and food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) must hold a CUAET, LMIA-supported or Francophone Mobility work permit.
- At least six consecutive months (780 hours) of full-time work with the employer supporting the Employer Position Assessment.
- At least CLB 4 if your job offer is in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation.
Candidates whose employer is in a capped sector are subject to the intake windows described above.
2. Students
- A certificate, diploma or degree from a designated learning institution in Saskatchewan.
- A valid post-graduation work permit, study permit or CUAET open work permit. Study permit holders must have a job offer in a priority sector.
- At least six months (780 hours) of paid employment in Saskatchewan related to your field of study.
- A permanent, full-time job offer in your field of study from a Saskatchewan employer, in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation or a designated trade.
- At least CLB 4 if your job offer is in a designated trade in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation.
Graduates with priority-sector job offers can benefit from the 750 nominations reserved for Saskatchewan graduates in 2026.
3. Agriculture, Health and Tech Talent Pathways
Workers already in Saskatchewan can also apply through the Agriculture Talent, Health Talent and Tech Talent pathways, using the same eligibility rules and occupation lists described in the International Skilled Worker category above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nominations does Saskatchewan have for 2026?
Saskatchewan has a total SINP allocation of 4,761 nominations for 2026 – a significant reduction from previous years. At least half are reserved for priority sectors, capped sectors are limited to 25 per cent, and at least 750 are set aside for graduates of Saskatchewan institutions with priority-sector job offers.
Do I need a job offer for the SINP?
Not always. The Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-categories do not require a job offer, provided you meet the 60-point minimum, the work-experience rules and the occupation requirements. The Employment Offer sub-category, the talent pathways and the Saskatchewan Experience category all require a job offer supported by an Employer Position Assessment.
What language score do I need for Saskatchewan Express Entry?
You must meet the federal Express Entry language requirements for the program you are eligible for, and your test results must match the level in your Express Entry profile. The CLB 4 minimum that applies to the Occupation In-Demand and Employment Offer sub-categories does not apply to Saskatchewan Express Entry.
What is the minimum SINP points score?
International Skilled Worker candidates in the Employment Offer, Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-categories must score at least 60 out of 110 points. Meeting the minimum makes you eligible, but higher-scoring candidates are more likely to be invited from the Expression of Interest pool.
What are Saskatchewan's priority sectors for 2026?
The priority sectors are health care, agriculture, skilled trades, energy, mining and minerals, manufacturing and technology. At least 50 per cent of the 2026 allocation is reserved for them, while capped sectors – accommodation and food services, trucking and retail trade – are limited to no more than 25 per cent.
How does a SINP nomination affect Express Entry?
A nomination through the Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category, or the Express Entry streams of the Health and Tech Talent pathways, adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System score. That effectively guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a following federal Express Entry round.