Saskatchewan Temporarily Suspends Job Offer-Based Pathways for Provincial Nomination
Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) has announced a temporary pause on the intake of Job Approval Forms (JAFs) for job offer-based streams, effective February 18, 2025. This means that employers and foreign nationals who have not yet submitted a JAF can no longer pursue provincial nominations through the SINP’s job offer-based pathways for permanent residence.
The province has not yet specified when the intake will resume but has indicated that the pause will last for “several weeks.” During this time, any JAF applications received before the pause will continue to be reviewed and processed. The temporary suspension is tied to the federal government’s decision to reduce Saskatchewan’s provincial nomination allocations by 50% for 2025, a move aligned with the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027. The pause also allows the SINP to implement necessary changes to its program.
What is a Job Approval Form (JAF)?
In the context of Saskatchewan’s immigration system, the Job Approval Form (JAF) is a crucial document that allows employers to hire foreign workers. A Job Approval Letter (JAL) is issued to employers after they successfully submit a JAF. The JAL authorizes the employer to hire a foreign worker, making them eligible to apply for a provincial nomination under the SINP’s job offer-based streams.
However, due to the recent pause, employers will not be able to submit JAFs during this time, which in turn delays the issuance of JALs. Without the JAL, foreign workers cannot apply for provincial nomination under the affected streams.
Streams Affected by the Pause
This pause impacts all SINP streams that require a Job Approval Letter. These include:
1. International Skilled Worker Category:
- Agriculture Talent Pathway
- Health Talent Pathway
- Employment Offer Pathway
- Tech Talent Pathway
2. Saskatchewan Work Experience Category:
- Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit
- Agriculture Talent Pathway
- Tech Talent Pathway
- Health Talent Pathway
The pause also affects students who were relying on the JAF-based streams for provincial nomination. Furthermore, certain business types and occupations are ineligible for SINP pathways that require a job offer and JAL, unless specific requirements are met.
Alternative Pathways to Saskatchewan Immigration
While the pause affects those relying on job offer-based pathways, there are still other options for foreign nationals wishing to immigrate to Saskatchewan:
1. International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand
The International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand sub-category allows foreign workers with relevant skills and experience to apply for nomination without a job offer. To qualify, candidates must have at least one year of full-time experience in a high-skilled occupation that is in-demand in Saskatchewan at the time of application. Candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered, and those selected from the pool will be invited to apply for provincial nomination.
2. Express Entry
Another alternative pathway is through the federal Express Entry system. Candidates who create a profile in Express Entry and meet the eligibility requirements for one of Canada’s three main immigration programs—the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)—may be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Express Entry candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, which consider factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with high CRS scores or who meet specific criteria for category-based selection (such as French language proficiency) have better chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
3. Rural Community Immigration Pilot
Saskatchewan is also participating in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, a new initiative aimed at attracting skilled workers to smaller communities across Canada. The pilot is employer-driven, meaning candidates must receive job offers from designated employers in specific rural communities. In Saskatchewan, one of the participating communities is Moose Jaw. Although the community’s website has not yet launched, foreign workers with job offers from designated employers in Moose Jaw may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under this pilot.
Why the Pause?
The pause in accepting new Job Approval Forms follows a federal decision to cut Saskatchewan’s immigration nomination allocations by half in 2025. The reduced nomination numbers are part of the broader Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, which aims to scale down the total number of immigrants accepted into Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) due to various economic and housing concerns.
The SINP has also hinted at potential changes to its program during this pause, aiming to adapt to the reduced allocations and improve its overall process for both employers and foreign nationals. The program changes may affect the way Saskatchewan handles nominations moving forward.
What Does This Mean for Employers and Candidates?
For employers and foreign nationals who were planning to apply for provincial nominations through Saskatchewan’s job offer-based streams, this pause presents a challenge. However, candidates who meet the criteria for the occupation-in-demand stream or who are part of the Express Entry system can still explore other pathways to immigrate to Saskatchewan.
Employers are encouraged to keep track of updates from the SINP regarding when the intake of JAFs will resume. In the meantime, those interested in immigration to Saskatchewan should explore the available alternatives and keep their immigration applications in mind as the province navigates these changes.
In conclusion, while the temporary suspension of the Job Approval Form intake affects certain pathways, Saskatchewan still offers other viable options for skilled workers looking to establish themselves in the province. As changes continue to unfold, candidates and employers should stay informed about the evolving policies.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
