Saskatchewan Suspends Immigration Applications in Key Sectors Due to Nomination Cap

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has begun returning immigration applications from candidates in the transportation, retail, and hospitality sectors after reaching a cap on the number of nominations it can issue to these sectors.

Sector-Specific Cap Reached

As part of policy updates implemented in March 2025, Saskatchewan introduced a sector-specific cap, limiting nominations for candidates in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service industries to just 25% of the province’s annual allocation. That threshold has now been met, the SINP confirmed via email to CIC News.

As a result, any new applications submitted under these categories are being returned and deemed ineligible under the current quota. However, the province has left the door open to revisiting these applications later this year if unused nominations become available.

Job Approval Process Still Open

Despite reaching the cap, Saskatchewan will continue to process Job Approval Forms (JAFs) for occupations within these sectors. A JAF is a document employers submit when they intend to hire foreign nationals through the SINP. If approved, it results in the issuance of a Job Approval Letter (JAL)—a crucial requirement for employer-driven immigration streams.

Candidates who possess a JAL may enter Saskatchewan’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system for provincial nomination consideration, although final nominations will depend on sectoral caps and remaining spaces.

Restrictions on Overseas Candidates

In a broader restructuring of its immigration program, Saskatchewan has also restricted the nomination of candidates currently residing outside Canada. Effective March 2025, only overseas applicants working in specific high-demand sectors—health care, agriculture, and skilled trades—are eligible for SINP nominations.

Applicants in other fields must already be living in Canada with temporary resident status to qualify for immigration through SINP streams.

The province clarified that it has not yet met the 25% limit for non-temporary resident applications in approved sectors, meaning some room remains for overseas candidates in priority occupations.

Why These Changes?

Saskatchewan’s overhaul of the SINP is a direct response to a 50% cut in provincial nomination allocations by the federal government earlier this year. Compounding the challenge, the federal government has introduced a requirement that 75% of provincial nominees must already be in Canada, significantly restricting the province’s flexibility.

To navigate this reduced capacity, Saskatchewan has made substantial changes to its immigration streams and eligibility criteria to ensure alignment with federal expectations while still addressing provincial labour shortages.

Other Recent SINP Policy Changes:

• Closure of the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator immigration pathways.
• Open Work Permit holders no longer qualify under some SINP categories.
• Student Category eligibility has been narrowed significantly.
• Removal of eligibility for occupations in salons, spas, and pet care services (excluding veterinarians).

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