SINP Updates: Categories with eligibility criteria

Who is Eligible for the SINP?

There are many sub-categories of SINP and eligibility depends on the specific sub-category but SINP generally includes:

• Meeting the minimum points requirement (60 for most of the sub-categories).
• Relevant education and work experience.
• Proof of settlement funds (if required).
• A valid job offer from a Saskatchewan employer (for employment-based categories).
• Meeting language proficiency requirements (vary by category).

Recent Updates to SINP

As the federal government cut the SINP 2025 nomination allocation by 50%, several programs/policies were updated by the Saskatchewan government. Some major updates are:

• SINP will nominate 75% of candidates who are already in Canada.
• SINP will prioritize international applicants who have work experience in healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades.
• SINP has implemented a 25% cap on total nominations for specific occupation industries like Accommodations and Food Services, Retail Trade, and Trucking sectors.
• Spousal work permits will no longer be eligible for SINP categories that require valid work permits. They can still apply under categories that do not require a work permit.
• The student category has been revised, and now only students who graduated from a Saskatchewan DLI will be eligible for the student SINP category.
• Visit the SINP faq section for more details.

SINP Categories

The SINP is divided into four main categories:

1. International Skilled Worker
2. Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience
3. Entrepreneur (Currently Closed)
4. Farm Owner and Operator (Currently Closed)
    

International Skilled Worker Category

This category is for skilled workers with experience in high-demand occupations who want to live and work in Saskatchewan. It has several sub-categories:

Occupation In-Demand

• No job offer required from Saskatchewan employer.
• Minimum 60 SINP points required.
• Have CLB level 4 or above.
• Should have post-secondary education (Diploma/Certificate/Degree), related to your intended work in Saskatchewan.
• Minimum of 1 year of full-time paid work experience related to your intended work in Saskatchewan.
• Proof of settlement funds.
• Full details can be found here.
  
   

Saskatchewan Express Entry

• No job offer required from Saskatchewan employer.
• Requires a valid IRCC’s Express Entry profile, with eligibility under at least one of the federal programs (FSW, CEC, FST).
• Minimum 60 SINP points required.
• Must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree, related to your intended work in Saskatchewan.
• Have a CLB level as per federal Express Entry language requirements.
• Must have work experience in the same field as your post-secondary education.
• Proof of settlement funds.
• Full details can be found here.
  
   

Employment Offer

• Permanent, full-time SINP approved job offer required from Saskatchewan employer.
• Minimum 60 SINP points required.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience required in the occupation offered.
• Have CLB level 4 or above.
• The job offer must be in the NOC TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3.
• Full details can be found here.

Agriculture Talent Pathway

• Have a SINP-approved permanent, full-time agricultural sector job in Saskatchewan.
• Have CLB level 4 or above.
• Have completed at least secondary school (high school) education.
• Have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in the past 3 years in your occupation offered; or 6 months of full-time work experience in the job with the same employer who has offered you a SINP approved Job Approval Letter.
• Full details can be found here.
• The following agricultural and related occupations are eligible through this stream:

Health Talent Pathway

There are further 2 sub-categories of this one: Non-Express Entry and Express Entry.

Requirements for both Express and Non-Express Entry applicants:

• Post-secondary education related to the job you've been offered
• Have a SINP-approved permanent, full-time health sector job in Saskatchewan.
• Full details can be found here.
• The following high and intermediate-skilled health occupations are eligible through this stream:

Additional requirements for Non-Express Entry:

• Have at least CLB 5 or above.
• Currently working in Saskatchewan and have worked at least 6 months of full-time work experience in the job with the same employer that has provided you the Job Approval Letter. OR you must have at least 1 year of work experience in your offered occupation, within the last 5 years.

Additional requirements for Express Entry:

• Requires a valid IRCC’s Express Entry profile, with eligibility under at least one of the federal programs (FSW, CEC, FST).
• Have at least CLB 7 or above.
• Both inside or outside of Canada Applicants: 1 year of high-skilled related work experience in the last 5 years, within the same offered occupation.

Tech Talent Pathway

There are further 2 sub-categories of this one: Non-Express Entry and Express Entry.

Requirements for both Express and Non-Express Entry applicants:

• Currently working in Saskatchewan and have worked at least 6 months of full-time work experience in the job with the same employer that has provided you the Job Approval Letter. OR you must have at least 1 year of work experience in your offered occupation, within the last 5 years.
• Post-secondary education related to the job you've been offered
• Full details can be found here.
• Have a SINP-approved permanent, full-time technology or innovation job in Saskatchewan.
• The following high-skilled technology and innovation occupations are eligible through this stream:

Additional requirements for Non-Express Entry:

• If currently working for the same Saskatchewan employer who offered you the job, your employer will be assessing your language ability as per the offered job requirements.
• If not currently working for the same Saskatchewan employer who offered you the job, CLB level 5 or above is required.

Additional requirements for Express Entry:

• Requires a valid IRCC’s Express Entry profile, with eligibility under at least one of the federal programs (FSW, CEC, FST).
• Have a CLB level as per federal Express Entry language requirements.
  
   

Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience

This category is for individuals who are already working in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit and wish to apply for permanent residence. It is a great pathway for temporary foreign workers and students who have gained work experience in the province.

Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit

• Have a SINP-approved permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.
• Have a valid work permit issued by IRCC.
• Have worked for at least 6 consecutive months of full-time work experience in the job with the same employer that has provided you the Job Approval Letter, with a valid work permit.
• Have CLB 4 or above, if your job offer is of TEER 4 or 5.
• Graduates on a Post-Graduate Work Permit are not eligible under this category.
• Full details can be found here.

Students

• Graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan.
• Hold a valid post-graduation work permit
• You must have worked for a minimum of 6 months in paid employment with a Saskatchewan employer in your intended occupation and that occupation should be relevant to your field of study. The following types of work experience are eligible:
  • On-campus.
  • Off-campus.
  • Co-op terms.
  • Graduate fellowships that can be verified by your institution.
  • Work experience gained on a post-graduate work permit.
• Have a SINP-approved permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, of TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Have CLB 4 or above, if your job offer is of TEER 4 or 5.
• International students who graduated outside of Saskatchewan are not eligible under this category.
• Full details can be found here.

Useful SINP Tips, Tools and Resources

• All above mentioned program criteria can change at any time by the Saskatchewan government.
• If you are not sure which category you fall into, you can use the SINP tool of program-selector. It will ask you a few questions and will let you know what categories you are eligible for.
• You can calculate your SINP points from the point assessment grid.
• Educational credential assessment (ECA) required for all education completed outside Canada. More details can be found here.
• Check your CLB level through IRCC here.

Stay tuned for more updates on Canada's latest immigration news and application tips!

Also read Canada to Prioritize In-Canada Applicants in 2025 Express Entry Category-Based Draws