The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream is one of the streams of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Saskatchewan. This stream is designed to target experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Saskatchewan. Successful applicants must start a new business or buy an existing business in which they participate in the day-to-day management duties.
Get StartedAfter operating a Saskatchewan business for a minimum of 6 months, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Interested candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SINP Online Portal. After registering a profile the candidate will be assigned a score based on the SINP Entrepreneur Ranking System. The candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to submit an official application to the program.
Requirement | |
---|---|
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | No |
Job Offer | No |
Language Proficiency | No minimum |
Level of Education | No minimum |
Work Experience | Business management or entrepreneurial experience 3 years |
Investment Requirement | Investment: $200,000 CAD Personal Net Worth: $500,000 CAD |
Work Experience
In order to qualify to submit an EOI for the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream, a candidate must be able to prove they have the interest, ability, and financial resources to own and actively manage a Saskatchewan business. For this reason, the program requires a high level of business management experience as well as a significant financial net worth. The applicant must have at least three (3) years of work experience as a business manager or entrepreneur. This experience must have been obtained within the previous 10 years. The applicant will also have to maintain an active role with their proposed business.
Investment Requirement
This stream requires a significant net worth and investment on the part of the applicant. The applicant must have a minimum net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. The minimum investment amount varies depending on the location of the proposed business:
Candidates will be required to develop a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) explaining how they will establish and invest in the Saskatchewan business. The proposed business must meet certain criteria, including creating at least two employment opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile and submit an EOI through the SINP Online Portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be ranked against one another using the SINP Entrepreneur Ranking System. The highest ranking candidates will be invited to apply to the stream. SINP releases draw dates in advance and interested candidates may view the dates on the SINP Entrepreneur Draws.
Candidates who receive an invitation to apply have 20 business days to pay the $2,500 CAD processing fee and select a recognized third party financial review service who will assess their net worth and proposed investment amount. A complete application must be submitted within 90 days of receiving the invitation to apply. Note that if an application is complete, the next stage of the application requires the applicant to attend an interview with SINP officials. This interview may be conducted in-person or online by video call.
If the application is approved, the applicant will have to sign a business performance agreement with Saskatchewan. Once the performance agreement is signed, the SINP will issue a work permit support letter, enabling the applicant to apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit. Select business categories of immigration, including Saskatchewan Entrepreneur, allow foreign nationals to apply for temporary work permits allowing them to work in Canada while establishing their business practice. These work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), meaning they are LMIA-exempt. To apply for such a work permit, an applicant must include a work permit support letter issued by the province and submit their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Once arriving in Canada, the applicant must establish their business. After successfully operating their business for at least 6 months and meeting the conditions of their business performance agreement, applicants may submit an official request to SINP for provincial nomination. If an applicant’s request is approved by the SINP, they will receive an official provincial nomination. With a provincial nomination in hand, the applicant may apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.
The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream uses the following points-grid to rank candidates who have submitted EOIs. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.
Factor | Points |
---|---|
Human Capital | |
Age | 15 |
Exploratory Visit | 15 |
Official Language Ability | 15 |
Qualifications / Education | 15 |
Net Business and Personal Assets | 15 |
Business Experience | |
Entrepreneurial or Farming Experience | 20 |
Business Revenue | 20 |
Innovation | 10 |
Business Establishment Plan | |
Investment Amount | 20 |
Investment in Key Economic Sectors | 15 |
Maximum | 160 |
Age Points
20 or less 0
21-29 10
30-39 15
40-54 10
55+ 0
Maximum 15
Exploratory Visit Points
Has conducted an exploratory visit to Saskatchewan for at least five working days with evidence of contact with relevant business contacts 15
Maximum 15
Language Ability Points
No language Test 0
CLB 4 5
CLB 5 10
CLB 6+ 15
Maximum 15
Qualification / Education Points
Has a trade or occupational certification that required at least one (1) year full time post secondary training or apprenticeship equivalent 10
Has completed a Bachelor Degree or PostGraduate Degree/Designation in a Business, Agriculture, or Science/Technology field 15
Maximum 15
Net Business and Personal Assets Points
$500,000 - $549,999 CAD 0
$550,000 - $749,999 CAD 5
$750,000 - $999,999 CAD 10
$1,000,000+ CAD 15
Maximum 15
Entrepreneurial or Farming Experience Points
4 to 7 years entrepreneurial/farm experience 10
8 or more years entrepreneurial/farm experience 15
4 to 7 years entrepreneurial/farm experience with 50%+ ownership in business 15
8 or more years entrepreneurial/farm experience with 50%+ ownership in business 20
Maximum 20
Business Revenue Points
$50,000 - $99,999 CAD 5
$100,000 - $249,999 CAD 10
$250,000 - $499,999 CAD 15
$500,000 CAD+ 20
Maximum 20
Innovation Points
Previous verifiable experience in:
Export Trade 10
Registered patents 10
Gazelle business 10
Maximum 10
Investment Amount Points
Total equity investment to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business in SK:
$200,000 - $349,999 CAD 0
$350,000 - $499,999 CAD 5
$500,000 - $749,999 CAD 10
$750,000 - $999,999CAD 15
$1,000,000+ CAD 20
Maximum 20
Investment in Key Economic Sectors Points
Proposed Business Activity
Science and technology 15
Manufacturing 15
Export 15
Rural business succession 15
Rural business development 15
Maximum 15
Below is the information regarding recent and upcoming Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.
Date Lowest Score Average Score Highest Score Total Selections
Sept 2022 75 95 130 43
July 2022 80 95 130 64
May 2022 90 110 130 54
March 2022 80 90 135 58
January 2022 90 105 140 51
November 2021 100 110 130 65
September 2021 110 115 125 41
July 2021 120 125 155 28
March 2020 110 115 130 73
January 2020 115 120 145 42
May 2, 2019 120 125 135 43
March 7, 2019 120 125 140 39
January 3, 2019 115 120 150 90
November 21, 2018 115 120 135 84
September 19, 2018 110 115 135 71
July 18, 2018 100 105 135 187
April 18, 2018 90 100 135 231
October 1, 2017 80 100 135 265
July 1, 2017 80 100 145 98
May 1, 2017 80 105 140 142
March 1, 2017 95 110 135 107
January 1, 2017 80 95 145 251
December 1, 2016 120 120 130 14
September 1, 2016 110 115 135 57
May 1, 2016 110 120 155 88
October 1, 2015 110 125 155 70
*Please note that upcoming draw dates are subject to revision
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