Saskatchewan restarts its immigration program with important new changes.
The Saskatchewan government has lifted its temporary pause on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and introduced four key updates. The changes come after the federal government reduced Saskatchewan’s nominee allocations by 50%. The province has now adjusted its immigration program to focus on high-demand industries and streamline applications.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) now prioritizes workers in three key sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades. Candidates applying from outside Canada must be in one of these fields to be considered. Those in other industries, such as retail and hospitality, must already be in Canada on a valid temporary visa.
Additionally, the province has placed a cap on certain industries. The accommodation, food services, retail trade, and trucking sectors can only take up to 25% of total annual nominations. Meanwhile, occupations such as spa, salon, and pet care services (except veterinarians) are no longer eligible.
In a significant move, Saskatchewan has permanently closed its Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator categories. This means that business owners looking to immigrate through these pathways will have to explore other options.
The new rules have an immediate impact on both current and future applicants. Anyone applying under the Saskatchewan Express Entry or the Occupations In-Demand subcategory without a Saskatchewan-based job offer will have their applications returned. Candidates affected by this must contact the SINP for a refund of their application fees.
For those already in Canada on temporary visas, the new system offers better opportunities to secure permanent residency. Employers in non-priority sectors can still sponsor workers already living in Canada.
Employers in Saskatchewan must now adjust their hiring strategies. Those in priority sectors can continue recruiting from overseas, but others must focus on hiring temporary residents who are already in Canada. Businesses should also explore training programs to upskill local workers and reduce dependence on international hires.
Saskatchewan’s immigration program has been a crucial part of its economic growth. However, the federal government recently reduced the number of nominations available to the province, cutting allocations to just 3,625 for 2025—the lowest since 2009. Furthermore, 75% of these nominees must already be in Canada as temporary residents.
Saskatchewan leaders expressed disappointment over the federal decision. "The SINP has been essential for our economy. These changes will ensure our limited nominations are used effectively," said Deputy Premier Jim Reiter.
The revised SINP is designed to meet the province’s labor market needs while working within federal restrictions. These adjustments could set an example for other provinces facing similar cuts. Whether the changes will help Saskatchewan’s economy thrive remains to be seen.
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