Canadian Immigration Stream in Saskatchewan Capped Out Within a Week
SINP International Skilled Workers – Occupations In-Demand reaches allocation intake of 1,000
The popular International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) reached its allocation intake of 1,000 complete applications for the most recent application cycle, which was open for just one week from September 21 to September 28.
Applicants with work experience in one of 57 eligible occupations who had prepared documents in advance and reacted swiftly when the program reopened were able to submit an application in time. A number of applicants credited CICNews with bringing their attention to the news that the stream had reopened, with one reader commenting ‘Thanks for this advice. My application was accepted on September 25, three days before the ceiling was reached.’
This sub-category had previously opened in January, 2015, but the intake threshold filled within days, showing how popular Saskatchewan is among candidates for Canadian immigration. The Prairie province has had the lowest unemployment rate of any Canadian province or territory for each of the past 22 months.
Getting a head start: the key to a successful application
“What the Saskatchewan experience last month taught many potential applicants for Canadian immigration was that waiting around until a program opens and only then beginning to gather information and supporting documents is not a proactive strategy. Indeed, it a strategy that often ends in disappointment,” says Attorney David Cohen.
“While it’s impossible to say with certainty when the International Skilled Workers – Occupations In-Demand stream may reopen and under what criteria, we can analyze recent trends and local factors and make a fair determination that preparing in advance of the next application cycle is the best way forward.
“Most of the eligible occupations are managerial or trades roles, and Saskatchewan, with one of the most stable economies in Canada and the lowest unemployment rate nationwide, is unlikely to make sweeping changes to the eligible occupations list from one application cycle to the next. While this is never a certainty, a potential candidate who would have been eligible for the most recent application cycle can prepare in advance with a degree of confidence that he or she would still be eligible if and when the stream reopens.” added Attorney Cohen.
“In the event that a candidate does not end up being eligible — perhaps, for example, because the province could tweak the eligible occupations list — he or she has nonetheless laid the groundwork for reacting quickly when other Canadian immigration programs are unveiled or reopened. Many programs require applicants to submit the same types of documents with their application.”
The most recent criteria
Eligible applicants to the SINP International Skilled Workers - Occupations In-Demand stream did not necessarily require a job offer in order to make an application. Applicants had to obtain at least 60 points under a points grid, with up to 30 points available for a candidate’s connection to the Saskatchewan labour market and adaptability factors.
To be eligible under the most recent International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the SINP, applicants without a Canadian job offer must:
- score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the point assessment grid (see below);
- have a minimum language score in English or French of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4;
- have completed a minimum of one year of post-secondary education or training which is comparable to the Canadian education system and has resulted in a degree, diploma, certificate, or a certificate equivalent to a trade certificate (that is verifiable);
- have a minimum of one-year paid work experience in the past ten years related to their field of education or training. Work experience must be in an occupation that is considered to be in-demand in Saskatchewan (see below); and
- have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
The points assessment grid
Candidates must obtain at least 60 points under the following criteria.
| Selection factor | Points |
| Education & Training | Maximum 23 points |
| Work experience | Maximum 15 points |
| Language ability | Maximum 20 points |
| Age | Maximum 12 points |
| Connection to SK labour market & adaptability | Maximum 30 points |
| Pass mark: | 60 points |
To view a full breakdown of each selection factor, please click here.
Occupations In-Demand
Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in the past ten years in one of the following in-demand occupations. If this work experience is in an occupation that is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory certification or licensing, candidates are required to obtain proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure in order to be able to work in that profession before they apply to the SINP.
| NOC | Occupation | Skill Level | Mandatory certification |
| 0711 | Construction Managers | 0 | No |
| 2131 | Civil Engineers | A | Yes |
| 2132 | Mechanical Engineers | A | Yes |
| 2133 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers | A | Yes |
| 2161 | Mathematicians, Statisticians, and Actuaries | A | No |
| 2171 | Information Systems Analysts and Consultants | A | No |
| 2173 | Software Engineers and Designers | A | Yes |
| 2174 | Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers | A | No |
| 2211 | Chemical Technologists and Technicians | B | No |
| 2221 | Biological Technologists and Technicians | B | No |
| 2222 | Agricultural and Fish Products Inspectors | B | No |
| 2232 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | B | No |
| 2234 | Construction Estimators | B | No |
| 2241 | Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians | B | No |
| 2242 | Electronic Service Technicians (household and business equipment) | B | No |
| 2253 | Drafting Technologists and Technicians | B | No |
| 2254 | Land Survey Technologists and Technicians | B | No |
| 2281 | Computer Network Technicians | B | No |
| 2282 | User Support Technicians | B | No |
| 2283 | Systems Testing Technicians | B | No |
| 4011 | University Professors and Lecturers | A | No |
| 4163 | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | A | No |
| 6221 | Technical Sales Specialists, Wholesale Trade | B | No |
| 7204 | Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades | B | No |
| 7205 | Contractors and Supervisors, Other Construction Trades, Installers, Repairers and Servicers | B | No |
| 7231 | Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors | B | No |
| 7232 | Tool and Die Makers | B | No |
| 7233 | Sheet Metal Workers | B | Yes |
| 7235 | Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters | B | No |
| 7237 | Welders and Related Machine Operators | B | No |
| 7241 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) | B | Yes |
| 7242 | Industrial Electricians | B | Yes |
| 7246 | Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers | B | No |
| 7251 | Plumbers | B | Yes |
| 7252 | Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers | B | No |
| 7271 | Carpenters | B | No |
| 7281 | Bricklayers | B | No |
| 7282 | Concrete Finishers | B | No |
| 7283 | Tilesetters | B | No |
| 7284 | Plasterers, Drywall Installers, Finishers and Lathers | B | No |
| 7291 | Roofers and Shinglers | B | No |
| 7292 | Glaziers | B | No |
| 7293 | Insulators | B | No |
| 7294 | Painters and Decorators | B | No |
| 7295 | Floor Covering Installers | B | No |
| 7302 | Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Equipment Operator Crews | B | No |
| 7305 | Supervisors, Motor Transport | B | No |
| 7311 | Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (except textile) | B | No |
| 7312 | Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics | B | No |
| 7313 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics | B | Yes |
| 7316 | Machine Fitters | B | No |
| 7321 | Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers | B | No |
| 7322 | Motor Vehicle Body Repairers | B | No |
| 8232 | Oil and Gas Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers | B | No |
| 8252 | Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, Specialized Livestock Workers | B | No |
| 9212 | Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemcial Processing and Utilities | B | No |
| 9213 | Supervisors, Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing | B | No |
To learn more and find out if you are eligible for immigration to Canada under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, or any of more than 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment today.
Saskatchewan quick facts
Capital: Regina
Largest city: Saskatoon
Population: 1,132,640
Main language: English
Climate: High seasonal variation, with warm summers, cold and snowy winters, and short, mild transitional seasons.
© 2015 CICnews All Rights Reserved
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
