Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) 2026

Saskatchewan's 2026 initial nomination allocation is 4,761 (SINP's statistics page now shows 5,261). Additional nominations may become available throughout 2026 at IRCC's discretion. If priority sector demand is high, those sectors may receive more than the 50% minimum - but any increase comes at the expense of other sector nominations.

Every employer in Saskatchewan is classified into one of three tiers based on the NAICS code on their Certificate of Registration. Priority sectors (NAICS for healthcare, agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, tech): open anytime, overseas eligible, no work permit timing restrictions. Capped sectors (NAICS 72, 44-45, 48-49): six annual windows, 6-month work permit rule applies. Other sectors: continuous but more restricted access. The SINP uses the NAICS code on the Certificate of Registration as the primary classification. If there is a discrepancy, the Immigration Services Branch works with the Program Compliance Branch to validate the correct classification.

Employers in capped sectors (Accommodation and Food Services, Trucking, Retail Trade) can only submit EPA requests during one of six annual intake windows in 2026. Windows are planned for January, March, May, July, September, and November. These windows may remain open for several days, but in practice the hospitality and retail sectors filled within a day in several windows. For the latest counts, see SINP's processing statistics page.

Employers in capped sectors can only submit EPA requests for candidates who have 6 months or less remaining on their work permit at the time of submission. Candidates with more than 6 months left on their work permit cannot be submitted. This rule prioritizes workers who face the most immediate risk of losing immigration status.

SINP's FAQ lists five pathways open to PGWP holders who studied outside Saskatchewan (Health, Agriculture, Tech and Employment Offer, plus Student for Saskatchewan DLI graduates); confirm the Tech pathway with SINP. The Existing Work Permit sub-category is not open to PGWP holders.

Holders of spousal open work permits (SOWPs) can no longer apply to SINP pathways that require holding a specific work permit as an eligibility condition. Saskatchewan cited higher risks of exploitation and poor retention outcomes. However, SOWP holders may still be eligible for the Health Talent Pathway, Agriculture Talent Pathway, Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway, and International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer subcategory - as work permits are not considered part of the eligibility criteria for these specific streams.

The Student Category is now exclusively for graduates of Saskatchewan Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Students are also required to have resided in Saskatchewan during their studies and to have gained work experience in the province. PGWP holders who studied in another province and are working in Saskatchewan are no longer eligible for any Saskatchewan Experience pathways - they must apply through the ISW Employment Offer subcategory or talent pathways if their occupation qualifies.

Priority sector applicants can apply from outside Canada with an EPA-supported job offer. Applicants working in priority sectors are not subject to the six-month work permit expiry rule. Capped sectors remain restricted to current employees in Canada with valid temporary residency.

The $500 application fee applies to all worker categories. A $250 second review fee also applies. For a single applicant, the maximum fee exposure is $750 ($500 application + $250 second review if needed).

Verify your employer's NAICS code confirms them as a Priority Sector employer. Then determine your pathway: Are you a healthcare worker? → Health Talent Pathway. Are you an agricultural worker? → Agriculture Talent Pathway. Are you in one of 32 eligible tech occupations? → Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway. All others in TEER 0-3: → International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer. All of these pathways require a job offer approved through an Employer Position Assessment (EPA, formerly the Job Approval Letter) from your employer. The EOI-based streams (Occupations In-Demand, Saskatchewan Express Entry) need no job offer but are not currently selecting: SINP has run no scheduled draws since September 2024.

Your employer first needs a Certificate of Registration (COR), which requires 24 consecutive months of operating in Saskatchewan, is valid for two years, and carries no SINP fee. The employer then submits an EPA request for your specific position through the OASIS portal (immigration.saskatchewan.ca). The SINP reviews EPA requests with a goal of processing within 6 weeks (Q3 2026 actual: 4 weeks). An approved EPA is valid for 60 days, you validate it within 10 days, and the EPA carries no SINP fee. You cannot apply for the talent pathways or the Employment Offer subcategory without a valid EPA.

Prepare every required document before submitting your application - incomplete applications are returned and cannot be reopened for review. You must resubmit a new application if returned. Required documents include: completed federal forms (Generic Application Form IMM0008, Schedule A, Additional Family Information IMM5406), language test results (Agriculture CLB 4; Health CLB 5, or CLB 7 via Express Entry; Tech CLB 5 unless you already work in Saskatchewan for the supporting employer; Employment Offer CLB 4), education credentials where your pathway requires them (ECA for foreign credentials), work experience reference letters, passport copies for all family members, provincial residency proof (Saskatchewan Health Card or SGI licence) if claiming in-Saskatchewan experience, EPA from employer, and any applicable professional licence or eligibility letter.

Create an account in Saskatchewan's OASIS system. Complete all sections of your application online. Scan and upload all required documents as PDFs. The SINP goal is to process all International Skilled Worker and Saskatchewan Experience applications within 16 weeks, provided all documents are complete at submission. Q3 2026 (Jul-Sep) actual processing time for most categories: 2 weeks. Pay the application fee: $500 per applicant (plus $250 if a second review is requested). Applicants attest that they intend to live in Saskatchewan permanently.

SINP may request additional documents or clarifications. You will be given a time limit to respond. If SINP does not receive requested information, your application may be deemed ineligible. Monitor your OASIS account for correspondence. Provide requested information promptly - delays extend processing significantly.

If approved, you receive a provincial nomination. For Express Entry-aligned applications (Saskatchewan Express Entry, EE option of Talent Pathways): add +600 CRS points to your federal Express Entry profile. For non-EE applications: apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence. Federal processing times are set by IRCC; check IRCC's current processing times. Spouse and dependent children are included in the nomination. Change of Employment After Nomination: Nominees must report a change in employment to SINP within 10 days. Nominees who lose their job or experience employment changes are then provided 45 days to find a new job offer and receive a new EPA (with two possible 45-day extensions). Nominees should find employment in the same NOC code but may change if they meet criteria in the new occupation.