Saskatchewan Announces New Tech Immigration Program

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) announced the details of a new program aimed at recruiting tech professionals on March 7, 2022. The Tech Talent Pathway will allow Saskatchewan employers to expedite the permanent residency applications of certain skilled tech workers.

“The Tech Talent Pathway offers a competitive advantage to Saskatchewan industries and is unique in Canada. It streamlines the immigration process and acknowledges that we want our immigrants to stay right here in our province to join us in creating innovative solutions for Saskatchewan to export to the world.” said SaskTech President Dr. Aaron Genest.

The stream will provide an fast-tracked pathway to permanent residence for tech professionals currently working in Saskatchewan as well as overseas recruits.

Who is eligible to apply under the new Tech Talent Pathway?

To be eligible, applicants to the Tech Talent Pathway must:

• Obtain an SINP Job Approval Letter that is employer-specific and for an eligible tech sector occupation;
• If working in Saskatchewan, secure a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5; or
• If not currently working in Saskatchewan, meet any language requirements set by the employer; or
•  If applying for Express Entry, secure a CLB level 7;
• Completed at least one-year of work experience in past five years in the same occupation as the job offered, or six months working in Saskatchewan;
• Finished post-secondary education related to the job offered;
• Be eligible for professional licensing in Saskatchewan (if applicable); and
• Intend to reside in the province of Saskatchewan

Which tech occupations are considered under Saskatchewan’s new program?

To qualify under SINP’s new program, candidates must have a job offer in one of the following tech occupations:

Licensing requirements

If your occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan, you must be eligible for licensing to qualify for this program. The following occupations require licensing:

NOC 2147 – Computer Engineers

NOC 2173 – Software Engineers (but not Designers)

NOC 2133 – Electrical and Electronics Engineers

To demonstrate you are eligible for licensing, you must provide a letter from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS) that shows your application registering as an Engineer-in-Training has been approved, or a letter from APEGS showing that you have been assigned Confirmatory Exams.

What is a Saskatchewan Job Approval Letter?

Job Approval Letters (JAL) can be used by foreign nationals to apply for Saskatchewan nomination.

In order to hire foreign nationals, Saskatchewan employers must obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety. Saskatchewan employers must then submit an application for a Job Approval Letter for each foreign worker they wish to hire.

Interested in learning more about your options to immigrate to Saskatchewan or any other Canadian province? Complete our free online assessment form today!