News Briefing

Saskatchewan speeds up processing of provincial nominations

Jul 16, 2026News Briefingwww.cicnews.com

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) released its second‑quarter 2026 processing statistics, showing that most application streams are now finalized within two weeks.

Processing times – Q2 2026 vs. Q1 2026

Application category Application type Q2 2026 (Apr 1–Jun 30) Q1 2026 (Jan 1–Mar 31)
International Skilled Worker Employment offer 2 weeks (down from 3 weeks)
International Skilled Worker Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway 2 weeks (same)
International Skilled Worker Agriculture Talent Pathway 2 weeks (down from 3 weeks)
International Skilled Worker Health Talent Pathway 2 weeks (same)
Saskatchewan Experience Existing Work Permit 2 weeks (down from 3 weeks)
Saskatchewan Experience International Students 2 weeks (same)
Second Reviews – Applicants with Job Offers 1 week (down from 2 weeks)
Second Reviews – Applicants without Job Offers N/A (no data published)
Job Approval Process (Employer Position Assessments) 3 weeks (down from 4 weeks)

Second‑review requests must be filed within 30 days of receiving an “ineligible letter” and are assessed only on the original application information. The SINP does not publish processing data for second‑review requests without a job offer. Employer Position Assessments (EPA) have a six‑week service standard.

Nomination allocations for 2026

  • Federal allocation to the SINP: 4,761 provincial nominations.
  • Nominations issued as of 30 June 2026: 2,628 (≈ 55 % of the allocation).

The 2026 nominations are divided among three sector groups:

Sector group Allocation for 2026 Nominations issued (as of 30 Jun)
Priority sectors 2,380 1,466
Capped sectors 1,190 718
Other sectors 1,191 444

Priority sectors (seven)

  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture
  • Skilled trades
  • Mining
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Technology

Capped sectors (each with a fixed annual limit)

  • Accommodation and food services – 15 % of total caps
  • Retail trade and other services – 5 %
  • Trucking – 5 %

Intake windows for capped‑sector nominations

Employers may submit an Employer Position Assessment only when the foreign worker has six months or less remaining on their work permit. Applications are accepted during province‑set intake windows and are allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

2026 intake schedule – seven windows already opened; two more are slated for 14 September and 2 November.

Most recent intake (6–7 July 2026) – 175 spots released:

  • Trucking (6 July): 25 spots
  • Retail trade and other services (6 July): 50 spots
  • Accommodation (6 July): 50 spots
  • Food services (7 July): 50 spots

Each capped sector reached its quota on the day the window opened.

Pathways to permanent residence through the SINP

International Skilled Worker (ISW) stream

  1. Create an online Expression of Interest (EOI) profile; the profile is valid for one year.
  2. The profile is scored out of 110 points based on factors such as provincial connections, work experience, and language proficiency.
  3. Candidates are ranked and periodically invited to apply for a provincial nomination; invitations are issued only when the applicant’s occupation is in demand.
  4. Invited candidates must submit a complete nomination application within 60 days.

Saskatchewan Experience (SE) stream

  • No EOI is required. Eligible candidates may apply directly for a nomination.

Successful nominees receive a provincial nomination, which can be used to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. Upon IRCC approval, applicants are issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).