Updated:  12 January 2022

SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS ENTRY

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Program Selector

Find out your eligibility for SINP program by using our Saskatchewan program selector.

How to Apply for the SINP

Learn how to apply for the right Saskatchewan immigration category.

Language Requirements for SINP

Find out SINP language requirements. 

Check Application Processing Times for SINP

Find out SINP application procession times (these are updated every three months).

SINP Important Words and Definition

Understand all SINP terms and definitions.

Immigration FAQs

Have more questions? Click here to see all questions related to SINP and COVID-19’s outbreak impact on IRCC and all immigration programs.

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Express Entry is an online system which is used for managing applications for permanent residence from skilled workers in Canada.

Application process

There are 4 steps to apply to a program which is part of Express Entry.

• Step 1: Checking the program’s eligibility.
• Step 2: Gather all the necessary documents.
• Step 3: Submit your profile online and check your score by a points-based system.
• Step 4: Receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Most complete applications which include all the supporting documents should be processed in 6 months or less.

Step 1 – Checking the program’s eligibility

If you want to know whether or not you are eligible for an Express Entry program, see 2 ways below:

• Checking whether or not you meet the minimum conditions by answering a few questions
• Checking the eligibility for Express Entry programs

Checking whether or not you meet the minimum conditions by answering questions

There are 3 immigration programs which is part of Express Entry, each of which contains different requirements. If you want to have a live in Canada and a skilled job, answer a few questions to see whether or not you are able for an application under Express Entry. Filling out this form will take about 10 – 15 minutes.

Your questions will be about:

• You nationality
• Your language skills
• Your age
• Your education
• You work experience
• Your family members
• Details on any job offer

After answering the questions, you will be informed about which programs you are eligible for. Therefore, please be as accurate as possible.

In case you have the eligibility for Express Entry, you will be provided a detailed instructions for the following steps, which include completing an online profile.

After that, if you success in meeting the requirements, your profile will be put in a pool of candidates for immigration and you may be invited to apply.

Checking the eligibility for Express Entry programs

The government of Canada will choose skilled workers according to their skills and their potential of contributing to the country’s economy.

There are 3 economic immigration programs under Express Entry management:

• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Through the Provincial Nominee Program (PMP), each province and territory is able to recruit from the Express Entry pool of candidates to satisfy local labour market needs.

Step 2 – Gather all the necessary documents

Not all necessary documents for an Express Entry program need to be uploaded online, however you should always need to know about them. Also, some of them is only necessary depends on your situation.

For your Express Entry profile:

• Passport or travel document
• Language test results
• Proof of Canadian education or Educational credential assessment report
• Provincial nomination
• Written job offer from an employer in Canada
• Proof of funds

For your permanent residence:

• police certificates
• medical exams
• proof of funds
• birth certificate
• use of a representative
• common-law union
• marriage certificate
• divorce certificate and legal separation agreement
• death certificate
• adoption certificate

Other documents which may be relevant:

• proof of relationship to a relative in Canada
• digital photos to confirm your identity

• other name to confirm aliases
• authority to release personal information to a designated individual 
• any other documents that you feel are relevant to your application

Step 3 – Submit your profile online and check your score by CRS tool

Filling out your Exprss Entry online profile is one way to provide detailed information about yourself.

Once eligible, you will be accepted into the pool of candidates.

Via a points-based system, your profile will be ranked in the pool. The score will depend on the information provided in your profile.

You can check your score by using Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool for skilled immigrants.

How to submit your online profile

Fill out the online form

The first step to go to Canada as a skilled immigrant is to submit your online profile to the Express Entry pool

Once eligible, you will:

• Be in a pool of other eligible candidates.
• Be given a score and rank based on several factors.
• Be invited to apply to become a permanent resident of Canada, in case you belong to the top candidates.

Please note that submitting your Express Entry profile online does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence and if you are not invited, you cannot apply online.

Answer eligibility questions: Spend about 10 – 15 minutes to answer some questions to know whether or not you are eligible for Express Entry.

In case you are married or you have a common-law partner, either you or your partner must be the principal applicant. This person is the one submitting the profile and list the other person as partner/spouse in it.

*Common-law partner (or common-law spouse): someone who spent at least one year living with another person (same-sex or opposite-sex) in a matrimonial relationship.

The principal applicant is the person who is most likely to:

• Meet all eligibility requirements
• Gain the most points in the 6 selection factors (if you are applying by the Federal Skilled Workers Program)
• Gain the most points in the Express Entry’s CRS.

Create your online Express Entry profile

When you are considered eligible, the CRS tool will send you to your online account so that you can fill out a profile.

If you don’t already have an account, please create one by follow the instructions below:

• Fill in your person reference code (given by the CRS tool)
• Fill in your personal detailed information
• Create and then log in on your account

After creating, you can complete the profile with:

• Information from several documents such as language test results
• Your National Occupational Classification code and job title

Your information will automatically saved to your account so you can exit the profile any time.

After creating, your profile will be given a 60 days period to be fully filled out and submitted. If not, you will need to start again.

After completing and submitting your profile, the Government will look into which immigration program under Express Entry you are eligible for.

During the time you wait in the pool

While waiting in the pool, if you get invited to apply, you will have 60 days to submit a full application. 

• Prepare your documents: getting the documents ready help you apply easier once invited.
• Language tests: See if your language test results are still valid (within 2 years since the date of the result). Also, they must be valid at the time you appl for permanent residence. In case of expired results, you can:
  • Get another test
  • Decline the invitation, return to the candidate pool so that you can be considered for application in the future
  • Keep in mind that applying for permanent residence with expired language test result will result in rejection of your application.

• Police certificates: You and any of your family member that are 18 years old or older need to obtain police certificates. This certificate can take a long time to be obtained in some countries. Therefore, you ought to ask for them while you are still in the pool so that you can submit them within 60 days.
• Search for a Job: You can create a Job Match account by using Job Bank – a database which match you with employers who wants to find workers with skills like yours. However, first you have to get the Job Seeker validation code which is provided to you after submitting your profile. You can still use Job Bank after arriving in Canada.
• Improve your score: You can try to improve your score and rank by many methods below:
  • Have a valid job offer: You can use Job Bank or you can prompt ourself to Canada employers by private-sector job boards.
  • Ask provinces and territories to be considered for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Improve your education
  • Increase your language skills
  • Get further relevant work experience
• Keep your online profile up-to-date: Ernsure your profile information to keep being true and accurate at all times. In case of any changes, you must update your profile. For example when you begin or lose a job, get a better language test result, divorce or get married, have a child… In case the Govenment find any information on your profile to be false or left out any details, you may get:
  • Your application refused
  • Considered inadmissible
  • Barred from applying to go to Canada for 5 years for any reason
• Keep yourself updated about Express Entry: You can sign up for email updates and follow the Government of Canada’s official social media channels for latest news on Express Entry.

Invitation rounds

In order to rank each candidate in the pool, the Government of Canada use CRS as a points-based system. They choose candidates with the highest rank in the pool and invite them to apply for permanent residence.

At the time of each invitation round, there is an instruction set which is posted online. These instructions are used for inviting candidates. They include:

• The time and date of the invitation round
• The number of candidates who will receive invitation to apply
• Which immigration program to be included in the invitation round. Some invitations round only invite candidates for only 1 program (like Federal Skilled Trades Program). You can check your score to find out the your likelihood of being invited in the next invitation round.

Answer to your invitation to apply

In case of you getting invited to apply for permanent residence, your account will receive a message that contains:

• The name of the immigration proram that you have been invited to apply for
• Instructions on what should you do next

You will need to present proof of the information in your online profile. The Govenment of Canada will verify between the information submitted in your application and the details in your profile. In case they find anything on your profile to be false or left out any details, you may get:

• Your application refused
• Considered inadmissible
• Barred from applying to go to Canada for 5 years for any reason

Program requirements

After receiving invitation, you can look at the requirements of the program under which you have been invited to apply to see whether or not you are still eligible. Also, knowing the requirements get you more prepared for the program and help you make a decision whether to accept the invitation or not.

Changes to your personal situation

In case you have any changes to your or your partner’s or your spouse’s situation, you ought to calculate your score again before you apply for permanent residence. In case the recalculated score is lower than lowest score in your invitation round, you should decline the invitation. Continueing to apply anyway may result in:

• Having your application refused
• Not getting your application fee refunded

Here are some of the common changes that can decrease your score:

• You don’t have a provincial nomination anymore
• You don’t have a valid job offer anymore
• Your language test scores are either expired or become lower after you retest.

Declining your invitation to apply

In case you decide to decline your invitation to apply, you will return as a candidate in the Express Entry pool. If you are still eligible then, you will be considered in the future invitation rounds. However, you are not guaranteed to receive invitation to apply again.

The cut-off score is different for each round. You might not receive invitation again if you don’t earn enough score. You may have to take extra steps to improve your score so that you can be invited one more time.

When declining your invitation and choosing to re-enter the candidate pool, it does not affect your chance of being invited again. However, if you choose not to decline invitation and also not to apply before 60 days end, your invitation will be expired and the Government of Canada will remove your profile from the pool.

After that, if you want to be considered in future invitation rounds, you will need to start again by submitting a new Express Entry profile, meeting the requirements and gaining acceptance into the pool one more time.

What if you don’t receive invitation to apply

Within 12 months since you submit your Express Entry profile, if your Express Entry account does not receive any invitation to apply, it will be automatically expired. You can find the expire date in your account.

Once expired, your profile will be removed from the CRS and you will receive a message about this in your account.

You are able to make a new profile. You can take screenshots of your profile to save data and fill it into your new one. However, you should only create a new profile after your existing profile is already expired. Otherwise, you will have to withdraw the existing profile first by following these steps:

• Log in to your Express Entry account
• On the main page, click on “View the applications you submitted”
• Go to the ““Withdraw profile” link
• Under the heading “What would you like to do today?”, below the “Warning!” text, click on “Continue” button.

You need to submit a new profile to be able to mention Express Entry in the profile on job boards.

Once submitting your new profile, you will receive an Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker validation code to use on Job Bank.

Other way to immigrate

Apart from submitting your profile to Express Entry, you can also choose to apply directly to a province or territory under the PNP or consider other options to live in Canada.

Step 4 – Getting invited to apply for permanent residence

The Government of Canada will invite highest-ranked candidates in the pool to apply for permanent residence. Once getting invited, you will be given a 60 days period to submit your application.

Most complete application (with all necessary documents attached) will be processed within 6 months.

Reference link: Canada.ca

Live in Saskatchewan to Work

Work Permit and LMIA

LMIA stands for Labor Market Impact Assessment. LMIA is a document that an employer-based in Canada needs when hiring a foreign worker. This can only be done when the employer can prove that a local Canadian or a Permanent Resident is not available for the job. An approved or a positive LMIA document can be considered as a confirmation letter. Employers need to apply for LMIA and once they get the approval, they can hire a foreign worker for the job.

The worker in question will have to apply for a work permit once he or she gets an LMIA. Additionally, the foreign worker will also need a job offer letter from the employer, a copy of the LMIA, a contract, and the LMIA number. Once all the documents are submitted, the foreign worker will get a work permit.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions, getting a work permit may take longer to process. See how the application may be affected.

Finding Work

Where to Look for Work

Job openings are usually advertised on websites, newspapers, job fairs, and community bulletin boards like every other country. Keep in mind that it is against the law to charge a potential employee for helping to find work. The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act (FWRISA) protects every immigrant coming to Canada.

Job Websites

The following websites are updated with new job opportunities in Saskatchewan. Make sure you visit them regularly to stay updated:

• Saskjobs.ca – the largest job portal in Saskatchewan showing job listings for entry-level, trade professionals, and management positions. All jobs are listed with occupation and region.
• Health Careers in Saskatchewan – lists all health care jobs available in Saskatchewan Regional Health Authorities in addition to Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
• Saskatchewan Government Careers – lists available jobs in the provincial government.
• Job Bank Canada – a government website that shows available jobs for immigrants all over Canada. You can filter the region and your field of profession to look for available jobs.
• CicCanadaJobs – unique Canada job portal developed to help job seekers find a suitable job in Canada. Finding a job in Canada suitable to your profile isn’t that easy, and the process of selecting right candidate is the toughest job for employers. Considering the fact that hiring candidates outside of Canada is a lengthy process we try to make it easy for employers. 

Employment Services

Before Your Arrival in Saskatchewan

It is a good idea to develop skills for job search and improve communication skills before you arrive in Canada. Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA) is a program that helps immigrants find a job easily in Saskatchewan and have a better understanding of the Canadian workplace. This allows you to come prepared for the workplace.

After Your Arrival in Saskatchewan

The following organizations can assist you in finding a job as well as provide information on available job opportunities.

1. SaskJobs – Career Services efficiently matches the skills of workers with the available job requirements throughout the province. Additionally, new immigrants can get information about job opportunities as well as training and education.
2. Regional Newcomer Gateways are centers that welcome newcomers to Saskatchewan and help them with information. Immigrants will find all the information they need to succeed with their move to Saskatchewan.

Gaining Canadian Work Experience

Immigrants with Canadian work experience will always have an edge over those who do not. Employers seek workers with Canadian work experience because they want to ensure their employees are familiar with how things are done in Canada. Customer interaction should be done in a way that is acceptable in the Canadian culture and handle equipment, which is commonly used in the country.

Getting Canadian work experience is not easy. However, it is achievable through:

• Part-Time & Temporary Work – causal jobs that are less than 30 hours a week are part-time jobs. These can be done while studying or caring for the family. Temporary jobs will have a start and an end date and often be available in specific seasons. They are enough to get Canadian work experience and a good hourly wage.
• Work Placement Programs – these opportunities provide immigrants to gain Canadian work experience, however, these are not paid jobs. This is a good way to gain valuable contacts for future job and business opportunities in Saskatchewan.
• Transitional Jobs – these are temporary jobs but in the same field of study. They provide opportunities to get visible for employers and gain Canadian work experience. Commonly, individuals who are waiting for a permanent job opportunity or finishing a graduate program occupy transitional jobs.

Job Opportunities for Health Care Professionals

The following links provide a list of health care job opportunities:

• Health Careers in Saskatchewan – the official recruitment agency for Saskatchewan that lists opportunities in regional health authorities and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
• Saskjobs.ca is the largest job-posting website in Saskatchewan.

Getting a Work Permit

Not being a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident makes it illegal for you to work in Canada without a work permit. Here is how to apply for a work permit:

Temporary Work Permit

1. Secure a job in Saskatchewan.
2. The employer will apply for LMIA if one is not available.
3. Once the LMIA is available, the employer can send you a contract and a job offer letter.
4. You need to apply for the work permit at IRCC by providing the offer letter, job contract, a copy of the LMIA, and the LMIA number.
5. Once IRCC approves your application, you will be granted a work permit and you can work in Saskatchewan temporarily.

Working temporarily may not be a good option for many. Therefore, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for permanent residence through the SINP or Express Entry program.

Permanent Work Permit

When applying from outside Canada, the following steps can help you obtain a work permit and become a permanent resident in Saskatchewan:

1. Look for a job in Saskatchewan that meets the eligibility criteria of the SINP International Skilled Worker Category.
2. Apply through SINP and on meeting the criteria, you will be nominated through the SINP selection process. 
3. A SINP nomination certificate will be required when applying for a work permit through LMIA.
4. Once you get the work permit, you can legally move to Saskatchewan temporarily.
5. The next step is the submission of the permanent residence application to IRCC through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
6. After reviewing, IRCC will approve and issue a Permanent Resident Visa.

Accompanying Family Members

While you are working in Canada on a permanent work permit, your family can accompany you or visit you in Canada. However, if your spouse or children wish to work while they are in Canada, they must apply for their work permits.

Get more information from IRCC’s Help Centre on accompanying family members.

In a Saskatchewan Work Place

Most workplaces in Saskatchewan have similar rules and regulations. However, every occupation and employer will have a different set of rules for the workplace. Learn more about employee rights and responsibilities and what to expect on the job when working in Saskatchewan. 

Live in Saskatchewan to Study

Working while you Study and after you Graduate

Studying in a foreign country opens a plethora of opportunities for students. However, it does not come without its share of challenges. A student studying anywhere abroad must secure a part-time job in order to support him or herself.

There are plenty of work opportunities available for students in Saskatchewan in addition to quality education. Fresh graduates can also find jobs related to their field of study. To find the right kind of study and work opportunities in Saskatchewan, read on.

Work Opportunities in Saskatchewan

Several institutions in Saskatchewan offer internships and part-time job opportunities for students that are in line with their program of study. As part of the updated International Student Program, students are allowed to work legally part-time off campus and full-time during scheduled school break. In this case, students are not required to have a work permit.

However, students who wish to work under the internship or the co-op program will be required to apply for a co-op work permit. There is an eligibility requirement that students must meet before they can apply for this work-permit.

After Graduating

Students have several options to stay in Saskatchewan after graduating. They are:

• Work after Graduation – international students who graduate can work up to three years in Saskatchewan under the Post-Graduation Work Permit. 
• Graduate Retention Program – all students who graduate after 2007 and live in Saskatchewan is eligible for the Graduate Retention Program. The retention program is unique as it provides income tax credits of about $20,000 paid in tuition fees. In order to obtain this permit, the student must file for the Saskatchewan income tax return.
• Becoming a Permanent Resident – after graduation, a student may wish to become the permanent resident of Canada by opting for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) or through Express Entry.

Moving from a Foreign Country to Study in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is filled with unique opportunities that attracts thousands of students from across the world for study and work. High-quality education with programs that are recognized globally is the major attraction. In addition to that, the cost of living is competitive and the natural beauty of the province makes Saskatchewan a top choice. Students enjoy accelerating careers and business opportunities when settling in this province.

High-Quality Education

In Saskatchewan, residents will notice that primary education is high quality as well as affordable. The Prekindergarten to Grade 12 education prepares individuals for a successful future ahead. Higher educational institutes and universities offers many courses ranging from business to medical degrees. The state-of-the-art research and innovation facilities combined with experienced teachers is what makes Saskatchewan an attraction.

Post-Secondary Educational Institutions

Students can opt for several post-secondary educational institutions in Saskatchewan including:

1. Universities – The University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan offer several quality programs that are just right to equip students for excelling careers. Both are government-accredited and publicity funded.
2. Regional Colleges – the regional colleges serve as a stepping-stone towards skills training, trade and academic studies. Each program leads to a certification, diploma or degree. Several regional colleges offer programs that are linked with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Some are also linked with first-year university classes where students can transfer credits to a university.
3. Career Colleges – these colleges are also called Private Vocational Schools where students are offered non-degree training programs to prepare them for a specific occupation. Programs include business, fashion design, healthcare careers and office administration.
4. Polytechnics – individuals here are equipped with applied learning opportunities keeping in view market knowledge and skills. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a valued member of Polytechnics Canada. Offering 150 certified programs, students are served through campuses in Prince Albert, Regina, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon.

Pathways leading to Post-Secondary Education in Saskatchewan

The educational pathways leading to a post-secondary degree are flexible for students based in Saskatchewan. Students can choose from the following:

• Students can enroll in one institution to gain a diploma, certificate or a degree program.
• Students can choose to start a study program at one institution and finish it in another. For example, a program can start can at a regional college and finished at a university.
•  Students can finish a degree program at one institution and then opt for an additional diploma or certificate in a focused field. This gives students specific practical skills.

Getting a Study Permit

Individuals usually require study permits or a temporary resident visa in order to study in Canada. However, there are exceptions, which can be viewed in detail on the official IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) website. Visit Get a Study Permit for more information on required documents for studying in Saskatchewan.

The International Student Program was revamped back in 2014 by IRCC to ensure that international students get the high-quality education in Canada. Students who receive an acceptance letter from a designated university in Saskatchewan will be granted a study permit.

Alternatively, students who are planning to take short-term course or enroll in six-month programs of study do not require a study permit. See Government of Canada’s Study in Canada Section.