Saskatchewan introduces two new PNP pathways for newcomers in healthcare and agriculture professions. The province’s Immigration and Career Training Minister, Jeremy Harrison, stated that the new pathways are another way the province is aligning its immigration program with current immigration needs. 

He further stated that with labor shortages reported across the nation, creating new provincial immigration pathways as well as streaming the credential recognition process will help employers in the province acquire the workforce required to grow their businesses. 

In addition, the new Agriculture Talent Pathway aims to meet the increased labor to fill in-demand and emerging jobs in the agriculture industry. 

Also, agriculture is a key component of Saskatchewan’s economy. The province exported more than $3.2 billion in four key crop product sectors in 2023. 

The Health Talent Pathway aims to support Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources action plan. The province says that all healthcare recruitment through the SINP will be consolidated and streamlined under this single stream. 

Who Is Eligible? 

Agriculture Talent Stream

Saskatchewan introduces two new PNP pathways for newcomers, out of which Agriculture Talent Stream was the first. 

Potential applicants for this stream should meet a baseline of eligibility criteria. For instance, they need to: 

  • Have a minimum language score of C;B, i.e., Canadian Language Benchmark 4. Some employers or regulators might also ask for scores higher than CLB 4. 
  • Have completed secondary school or higher-level education.
  • Attest to their intent to work and live in the province.
  • Have an offer for a valid permanent, full-time agricultural sector job in Saskatchewan.
  • Have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience in the past three years or six months of full-time work experience in the job with the employer that has provided the applicant with a Job Approval Letter. The work experience doesn’t need to be consecutive work experience in either case. 

Applicants require a valid SINP Job Approval Letter to show proof of employment. They get this from their employer, who must register with the SINP to obtain it. 

Health Talent Stream 

Saskatchewan introduces two new PNP pathways for newcomers, the second of which is the Health Talent Stream. The eligibility criteria for this pathway vary depending on whether the applicant has an application in the federal Express Entry application pool. Some requirements are the same for both subcategories, like: 

  • Being eligible for Saskatchewan licensing
  • Having a post-secondary education that relates to the job they have been offered
  • Attesting to their intent to work and reside in the province 

Candidates who aren’t eligible for Express Entry must also have a minimum CLB 5 English/ French language score. Some employers or regulators might ask for scores higher than CLB 5.  

They should also meet the following work experience requirements: 

  • If applying from in Saskatchewan: An applicant must be presently working in Saskatchewan have worked six months of full-time work experience in the job with the employer that has provided the Job Approval Letter. 
  • The work experience doesn’t require consecutive work experience in either case
  • If they have not been working for their supporting employer full-time for at least six months, then they should have a minimum of one year of work experience in their profession within the last five years

Applicants with profiles in the Express Entry application pool should: 

  • Have a valid Express Entry profile number as well as a Job Seeker Code
  • Have an English/ French language score of CLB 7 or higher
  • Meet the following work experience requirements: 
  • If applying from inside/ outside of Canada: One year of high-skilled related work experience in the past five years in their intended eligible profession 

About The SINP

Saskatchewan welcomed over 7,350 newcomers through the SINP in 2023 and obtained an allocation of 8,000 nominations from IRCC in 2024. The province expects around 20,000 newcomers to arrive by the end of 2025. 

Moreover, the province is growing in popularity among newcomers considering Canada. It boasts a lower cost of living, a low provincial tax rate, and a Graduate Retention Program that refunds up to $20,000 of tuition fees paid by eligible graduates who reside in Saskatchewan and file a Saskatchewan income tax return. 

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].