Saskatchewan's Two New PNP Options for Skilled Foreign Workers
September 16, 2024
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Saskatchewan is making headlines with its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) changes for skilled foreign workers. These new pathways aim to attract highly qualified professionals to address local labor shortages. By enhancing the existing PNP options, Saskatchewan offers a more streamlined process for immigrating to the province. Understanding these new options is crucial if you are a skilled foreign worker looking for opportunities in the province.
We offer a detailed look into Saskatchewan’s two new PNP options if you are a skilled foreign worker looking for a fast-track immigration pathway to Canadian permanent residency in the province.
What is the SINP International Skilled Worker Category?
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) International Skilled Worker Category is a crucial immigration pathway for foreign professionals seeking to migrate to Saskatchewan. This category targets individuals with Canadian work experience in occupations that are in high demand within the province. The SINP International Skilled Worker Category includes several sub-categories to address different labor market needs. These sub-categories include the:
- International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer,
- International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand,
- International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry, and
- Tech Talent Pathway.
As of August 30, 2024, two new immigration pathways were added for skilled foreign workers: the Agriculture Talent Pathway and the Health Talent Pathway. Below, we take a closer look at both pathways.
Agriculture Talent Pathway
The Agriculture Talent Pathway is a sub-category of the SINP designed for agricultural workers. This pathway allows skilled foreign workers to contribute to Saskatchewan's agricultural sector while pursuing Canadian permanent residency.
How Can I be Eligible for the Agriculture Talent Pathway?
To qualify for the Agriculture Talent Pathway, you need to meet several key criteria:
- Job Offer: You must have a SINP-approved job offer for a permanent, full-time position in Saskatchewan's agricultural sector. Your employer needs to provide you with a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.
- Education: You should have completed at least secondary school (high school) or higher level education.
- Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French is required. However, some Saskatchewan employers or regulators may ask for higher scores.
- Work Experience: You need either at least one year of full-time work experience in your intended occupation within the past three years or six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience with the employer providing your Job Approval Letter.
- Residency Intent: You must confirm your intention to work and live in Saskatchewan as a permanent resident.
- Legal Status: You should reside outside Canada or have proof of legal status if you're already in Canada.
The following occupations are eligible for the Agriculture Talent Pathway with National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
| Occupations | NOC Code | Occupations | NOC Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Handlers | 75101 | Process Control and Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing | 94140 |
| Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators | 84120 | Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers and Related Workers | 94141 |
| Livestock Labourers | 85100 | Testers and Graders, Food and Beverage Processing | 94143 |
| Harvesting Labourers | 85101 | Mechanical Assemblers and Inspectors | 94204 |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Labourers | 85103 | Labourers in Food and Beverage Processing | 95106 |
Who is Not Eligible to Apply Through the Agriculture Talent Pathway?
You may not be eligible to apply for the Agriculture Talent Pathway if you are a:
- Refugee claimant in Canada who claims refugee status from the Government of Canada.
- You did not provide the required documents at the time of submitting your application.
- You could not prove that you plan to live and work in Saskatchewan.
- You and or your representative have intentionally misrepresented yourselves in the application.
How Can I Apply for The Agriculture Tech Pathway?
To apply for the Agriculture Talent Pathway, you must:
- Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria mentioned above.
- Obtain a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer registered with the SINP.
- Get a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from your employer as proof of the job offer.
- Prepare necessary documents, including proof of education, language proficiency test results, and work experience records.
- Submit your application through the SINP online application system.
Remember, if you are eligible for Express Entry, you will need a valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code. You will also need a higher English or French language score of CLB 7 or above.
Health Talent Pathway
The Health Talent Pathway is another sub-category of the SINP designed to attract skilled healthcare workers to the province. This pathway allows you to contribute to Saskatchewan's healthcare sector while pursuing Canadian permanent residency.
Who is Eligible to Apply for the Health Talent Pathway?
To be eligible for the Health Talent Pathway, you must meet specific criteria based on whether you are applying through the Non-Express Entry or Express Entry stream.
Non-Express Entry
If you are not eligible for Express Entry, you must:
- Have a job offer related to your post-secondary education. This could be a master's or bachelor's degree, a three-year university or college degree, or a two-year diploma from a recognized institution.
- Be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing if it is required for your occupation.
- Have an English and French language score of at least level 5 CLB. Keep in mind that some employers or regulators may ask for higher scores.
- Have six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience with your current employer if you work in Saskatchewan or one year of work experience within the last five years if you have not worked for your supporting employer full-time for at least six months.
- Confirm your intention to work and live in Saskatchewan.
Express Entry
If you have a profile in the Express Entry application pool, you must:
- Have a valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code.
- Score CLB 7 or higher in English and French.
- Meet all other requirements mentioned for Non-Express Entry candidates.
If you are a foreign skilled worker in one of the following, you may be eligible for the Health Talent Pathway.
| Occupations | NOC Code | Occupations | NOC Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers in Healthcare | 30010 | Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians | 32104 |
| Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine | 31100 | Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment | 32109 |
| Specialists in Surgery | 31101 | Denturists | 32110 |
| General Practitioners and Family Physicians | 31102 | Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists | 32111 |
| Veterinarians | 31103 | Dental Technologists and Technicians | 32112 |
| Dentists | 31110 | Medical Laboratory Technologists | 32120 |
| Optometrists | 31111 | Medical Radiation Technologists | 32121 |
| Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists | 31112 | Medical Sonographers | 32122 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 | Pharmacy Technicians | 32124 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 31121 | Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 |
| Psychologists | 31200 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists | 32200 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 | Massage Therapists | 32201 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 | Other Practitioners of Natural Healing | 32209 |
| Occupational Therapists | 31203 | Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants | 33100 |
| Other Professional Occupations in Health Diagnosing and Treating | 31209 | Medical Laboratory Assistants and Related Technical Occupations | 33101 |
| Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors | 31300 | Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates | 33102 |
| Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses | 31301 | Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants | 33103 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 31302 | Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services | 33109 |
| Physician Assistants, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals | 31303 | Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations | 44101 |
| Opticians | 32100 | Licensed Practical Nurses | 32101 |
| Paramedical Occupations | 32102 | Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists | 32123 |
Who is Not Eligible to Apply Through the Health Talent Pathway?
Refugee claimants are not eligible to apply through this pathway. Also, if you currently work in Saskatchewan, you need at least six months of full-time work experience with your current employer to be eligible.
How Can I Apply for the Health Talent Pathway?
To apply for the Health Talent Pathway, you must:
- Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria mentioned above.
- Obtain a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer registered with the SINP.
- Get a valid SINP Job Approval Letter from your employer as proof of the job offer.
- Prepare necessary documents, including proof of education, language proficiency test results, and work experience records.
- Submit your application through the SINP online application system.
Remember, your work experience does not need to be consecutive. This pathway offers a valuable opportunity to build your career in Saskatchewan's healthcare sector while contributing to the province's growth and development.
Now that you have a clearer understanding of the two new SINP pathways, you can begin your journey to become a skilled foreign worker in Saskatchewan with the assistance of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
FAQs
What if My Occupation Is Not Listed in The In-Demand Occupations List?
Your occupation can be on various in-demand lists for the Agriculture Talent Pathway and the Health Talent Pathway. Instead, these pathways focus on your qualifications and job offer. You may be eligible to apply if you have an SINP-approved job offer in Saskatchewan's agricultural or healthcare sector.
Can I Apply for Both Streams Simultaneously?
While meeting the criteria for both pathways is possible, you can only apply for one stream at a time. Choose the path that best fits your qualifications and career goals. For instance, the Agriculture Talent Pathway might be more suitable if you are an agricultural worker.
How Does the Provincial Nomination Affect My Permanent Residency Application?
If you are eligible for Express Entry, a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This substantial increase often leads to an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in the next Express Entry draw.