Saskatchewan Halts Job Offer Pathway for Permanent Residency

Saskatchewan has temporarily paused its job offer-based immigration pathway. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) announced that starting February 18, 2025, it will stop accepting new Job Approval Forms (JAFs). This means employers and foreign workers who haven't submitted their JAFs yet must wait before applying for provincial nomination.

The province has not given a date for when it will reopen applications. Officials expect the pause to last for "several weeks." Applications submitted before February 18 will still be processed. The province stated that this break will allow time to make "necessary program changes."

Federal Cuts Behind the Pause

Saskatchewan’s decision follows the federal government's move to cut provincial nomination allocations by 50% in 2025. This reduction is part of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, which aims to lower the number of immigrants arriving through provincial nominee programs (PNPs).

What is a Job Approval Form?

The SINP allows skilled workers with job offers in Saskatchewan to apply for permanent residency. To do this, employers must first obtain a Job Approval Letter (JAL), which allows them to hire foreign workers. The JAL is only issued after an employer submits a Job Approval Form (JAF).

With this pause, employers can’t submit JAFs, delaying new JALs. Without JALs, foreign workers cannot apply for permanent residency through SINP’s job offer-based streams.

Who is Affected?

The pause affects all SINP pathways requiring a JAL, including:

• International Skilled Worker Category
  • Agriculture Talent Pathway
  • Health Talent Pathway
  • Employment Offer
  • Tech Talent Pathway
• Saskatchewan Work Experience Category
  • Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit
  • Agriculture Talent Pathway
  • Tech Talent Pathway
  • Health Talent Pathway
  • Students

Some businesses and occupations are already ineligible for JALs. The SINP website provides details on these restrictions.

Alternative Pathways to Saskatchewan

If you still want to immigrate to Saskatchewan, other options are available.

International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand

This pathway is for skilled workers with at least one year of experience in an in-demand occupation. Candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and may receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.

Express Entry

Candidates can also apply for permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry system. This system ranks applicants based on age, education, work experience, and language skills. Those with high scores or in special categories, such as French-speaking applicants, have better chances of selection.

Rural Community Immigration Pilot

Another option is the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot. Under this program, skilled workers with job offers from designated employers in specific communities can apply for residency. Moose Jaw is the only Saskatchewan community participating in this program.