Understanding the New Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupations List and Obtaining Licensure
Last week, on July 29, the Canadian province of Saskatchewan announced an expanded list of 43 in-demand occupations for two of its most popular immigration categories. Slightly more than half of these occupations require professional licensure on the part of the applicant, a process that may seem daunting. However, in many cases this process can be done from outside Canada in conjunction with one of the relevant organizations designated by the government of Saskatchewan.
A range of occupations are included in the new list, including occupations in IT, engineering, social work, medicine, marketing, agriculture, skilled trades, and more besides.
The new in-demand occupations list applies to two sub-categories of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP):
- SINP International Skilled Worker – Express Entry
- This ‘enhanced’ sub-category is aligned with the federal Express Entry
- No job offer is required.
- Applications are received on a first-come, first-served basis from eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool.
- Successful applicants obtain an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
- This sub-category has opened four times so far in 2017, most recently on July 27.
- SINP International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand
- Applications to this ‘base’ sub-category are received on a first-come, first-served basis and are processed entirely outside Express Entry.
- No job offer is required.
- This sub-category has opened twice so far in 2017, most recently on June 12.
Intake periods for these sub-categories are often short, in some cases only lasting days, or even hours.
Of the 43 occupations on the new list, 20 do not require any professional licensure. An eligible individual with work experience in one of these occupations may apply to the SINP and receive a nomination certificate without ever applying for or obtaining any professional licensure.
No licensure required
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 0124 | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers |
| 0423 | Managers in social, community and correctional services |
| 1112 | Financial and investment analysts |
| 1122 | Managers in Professional occupations in business management consulting |
| 1123 | Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations |
| 2211 | Chemical technologists and technicians |
| 2121 | Biologists and related scientists |
| 2123 | Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists |
| 2225 | Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists |
| 2231 | Civil engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
| 2243 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 2253 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
| 0714 | Facility operation and maintenance managers |
| 0811 | Managers in natural resources production and fishing |
| 0821 | Managers in agriculture |
| 0911 | Manufacturing managers |
| 0912 | Utilities managers |
Professional licensure and the SINP
For potential applicants whose occupation is on the list below, the SINP requires applicants to have obtained the proper professional licensure in order for the application to be processed to completion. However, it may be noted that an application (submitted by an applicant whose occupation requires licensure) that does not include the relevant proof of licensure may be held for processing until such proof is provided. All other required documents must be submitted, otherwise the file will be returned and the CAD $300 government processing fee may not be refunded.
The exact process of obtaining licensure depends on the occupation in question, as well as other factors, such as the applicant’s professional and/or academic background. CICNews has contacted each organization designated by Saskatchewan for the purposes of licensure, and in the vast majority of cases it is possible for an applicant to complete the licensure process from outside Canada.
The processing times listed below for certain occupations refer to best case scenario outcomes; these were either listed on the websites of the organizations, or confirmed by the organizations when speaking to CICNews. These processing times assume that the application is complete. Delays may occur if the organization has to wait for a third party, such an educational institution, to forward additional required documentation, such as transcripts.
“The requirements for some occupations in Saskatchewan’s updated in-demand list may seem convoluted or confusing on first glance, but when you scratch beneath the surface, the route becomes clearer,” says Attorney David Cohen.
“Saskatchewan wants newcomers in certain occupations to be fully licensed from a Canadian perspective because Saskatchewan wants these individuals to be able to enter the labour market relatively seamlessly. By beginning this process from abroad before landing in Canada, these workers will have a head start on the competition. This is likely a process that workers would have had to complete at some stage anyway, so why not start from abroad and prepare in advance of future intake period for either the base sub-category or the enhanced category aligned with Express Entry? Not only would this increase one’s chances of finding a pathway to Canada, but it would also improve career prospects in Canada, both upon initial landing and over the long term.”
To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, the first step to immigrating to Canada through the SINP International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category, please fill out a free online assessment today.
If you have a valid Express Entry profile and work experience in an opportunity occupation listed above, please contact sinp@canadavisa.com to learn more about the next steps.
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