Saskatchewan SINP slashed: 50% allocation cut, stricter rules

(SASKATCHEWAN) Saskatchewan’s main immigration pathway is operating under stricter rules in 2025 after Ottawa cut provincial nomination spaces and ordered a stronger focus on people already living in Canada. As of August 25, 2025, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, commonly known as the SINP, is working with half the nominations it had last year, while 75% of all nominees must be temporary residents already in Canada.

The province has also set 25% caps on nominations across accommodation, food services, retail trade, and trucking; those caps were reached by June, forcing the return of new applications in those sectors. Three business immigration streams were also permanently closed on March 27, 2025, narrowing options for entrepreneurs and farm operators seeking to settle in Saskatchewan. Provincial officials warn these shifts, driven by national targets and new federal rules, are straining employers and leaving many jobs unfilled.

Political and industry reaction

Deputy Premier and Immigration Minister Jim Reiter publicly criticized the federal reductions, calling the SINP “essential for Saskatchewan employers seeking to hire international workers when qualified Canadians are unavailable.” Employers across hospitality, retail, and trucking describe a widening gap between help wanted signs and the supply of eligible candidates under the new framework.

At the same time, provincial officials stress there are no further pauses planned for program intake this year, and they urge employers to pay close attention to sector caps, candidate status inside Canada, and sector priorities for overseas recruitment.

National context and federal direction

Canada’s national immigration plan sets the 2025 target at 395,000 new permanent residents, dropping to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. Ottawa’s directive to provinces is to prioritize nominations for people already here—especially in areas like health care, agriculture, and skilled trades—while keeping population growth steady.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this reshapes the balance between provincial labour needs and federal planning, and it particularly affects provinces like Saskatchewan where employers rely on international recruitment to keep small-city and rural businesses open.

Recent timeline and immediate effects

This year’s changes landed quickly:

• March 27, 2025: Job Approval Form intake reopened after a short pause; at the same time, the province announced the permanent closure of three business streams.
• By June 2025: The 25% caps for accommodation, food services, retail, and trucking were reached and new applications in those sectors began being returned to applicants.

For many small businesses, that meant shelving hiring plans and trying to recruit from a smaller pool of people already in Canada—often students, post-graduation work permit holders, or spouses of workers—just as customer demand rose with the warmer months and tourism.

Allocation and priority rules — what changed

The headline constraints:

• Provincial nomination allocation is down by 50% from 2024.
• Federal rule: 75% of nominees must be in-Canada, significantly narrowing room for overseas recruitment.
• Overseas recruitment reserved only for healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades.

Implication: Employers outside those priority areas must concentrate on hiring temporary residents already in Canada or pursue federal work permits tied to a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Impact on different groups

Applicants already in Canada
– Prospects are stronger if you hold valid status and work in an uncapped role, despite fewer overall spaces.
– If you work in a capped sector, expect your nomination plan to be returned unless space reopens later.

Overseas applicants
– Only considered for healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades.
– Even in those areas, spots are limited because of the 50% allocation cut and the 75% in-Canada rule.

International students and spouses
– Fall within the in-Canada priority group, which is favourable.
– However, if employed in a capped sector (e.g., retail), there may be no nomination space left for that industry now.
– Many are switching roles into uncapped occupations or training for higher-demand positions in agriculture, trades, or health.
– Important to watch work permit expiry dates and plan transitions early.

Entrepreneurs and farm operators
– The Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator streams were permanently closed to new applications on March 27, 2025.
– Province will process agreements and existing applications but no new Expressions of Interest can be submitted under those streams.

Families
– Spouses already in Saskatchewan may gain from the in-Canada focus if in eligible roles.
– Families trying to reunite from overseas face fewer pathways, especially with business streams closed.

Sector-specific consequences

Four capped sectors: accommodation, food services, retail trade, trucking

• 25% cap across these sectors was reached by June 2025.
• Applications in these sectors are being returned immediately when caps are full.
• Possible but uncertain reopening if unused nominations become available later in the year.
• Employers are experimenting with:
  • Hiring temporary residents from other provinces
  • Pivoting to uncapped roles and retraining
  • LMIA-backed work permits where feasible

Priority overseas recruitment sectors
– Healthcare: nursing, healthcare support, medical technologists, etc.
– Agriculture: farm work, heavy equipment operation, seasonal hires.
– Skilled trades: industrial mechanics, carpentry, Red Seal trades, apprenticeships.

Recruiters in these fields note the narrower focus can speed matches but leaves many qualified applicants in other professions waiting.

Practical steps for employers and applicants

Key administrative point:
– Employers planning to use SINP still need a Job Approval Form, which the province began accepting again on March 27.
– Sectoral caps apply; if a sector is capped, Job Approval Forms will be returned.

Before filing, confirm:
1. Is the job in a capped sector? If yes, plan for a likely return.
2. Is the candidate already in Canada? The 75% in-Canada requirement prioritizes those with current status.
3. If the candidate is overseas, does the role fall under healthcare, agriculture, or skilled trades?

If these checks pass, proceed. If not, evaluate alternatives like LMIA-based work permits.

Practical employer actions:
– Confirm sector space before filing to avoid wasted effort.
– Consider internal promotions, upskilling, and campus recruitment.
– Evaluate LMIA-based permits for urgent hires.
– Build timelines around work permit expiry dates and remain alert for small re-openings.

For federal processing:
– Once nominated provincially, apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
– Non-Express Entry nominees complete IRCC forms including IMM 0008.
– IRCC’s application package is here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-permanent-residence-provincial-nominee.html
– Express Entry nominees accept the nomination in their online profile to receive extra points and an enhanced chance of a federal invitation to apply.

Legal and advisory options

• Lawyers and consultants are advising clients to consider LMIA-backed federal work permits, which do not rely on provincial nomination space.
• LMIA routes take time, require proof that no Canadians were available, and involve fees and documentation.
• Larger employers are building recruitment pipelines targeting:
  • College grads on open work permits
  • Spouses of skilled workers
  • In-province candidates who can train into priority roles
• Smaller rural businesses often lack the resources to pivot quickly.

What to watch and planning tips

• Saskatchewan emphasizes no further pauses planned for 2025 and will monitor nomination use month-by-month.
• The province may shift unused capacity between categories, but cannot exceed the 50% lower federal allocation, so any adjustments are limited.
• Employers receiving returned applications should not assume a broad reopening, though limited windows can appear if numbers free up.
• Program updates and sector availability can change on short notice—check official sources frequently.

Official SINP updates: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/live-in-saskatchewan/by-immigrating/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program

Key takeaways and recommended checklist

The simplest way to avoid dead ends: confirm sector status, candidate location, and role eligibility before filing.

Checklist before filing:
– Confirm whether the job is in a capped sector.
– Verify the candidate’s in-Canada status (75% requirement).
– If the candidate is overseas, confirm the job is in healthcare, agriculture, or skilled trades.
– Ensure Job Approval Form aligns with current sector availability.
– Plan for permit expiry dates and prepare federal forms promptly if nominated.

Policy changes overview (summary)

• Allocation cut by 50% in 2025: nomination spaces halved vs. 2024.
• In-Canada requirement set at 75%: three out of four nominees must already be in Canada.
• Sectoral caps at 25% reached by June: accommodation, food services, retail, and trucking hit their ceiling.
• Business streams closed permanently: Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, Farm Owner/Operator closed March 27, 2025.
• Overseas recruitment limited: only healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades remain open.
• No further pauses planned in 2025: intake remains active with caps enforced.

Broader outlook and local impacts

Saskatchewan is not alone in recalibrating; provinces across Canada are adjusting under the reduced national plan. Yet Saskatchewan’s economy leans heavily on sectors now facing tight space, which is why the local impact feels especially sharp.

Examples of local effects:
– Restaurants trained supervisors only to see nomination space disappear.
– Trucking firms expanded fleets but are now pausing contracts.
– Retailers in growing suburbs struggle to staff busy weekends.

Despite the constraints, targeted opportunities remain in healthcare, agriculture, and trades. Apprenticeships and retained trainees can become stable long-term hires, and seasonal overseas recruitment still fills important gaps if aligned with SINP priorities.

Where to get official information

• SINP program page: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/live-in-saskatchewan/by-immigrating/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program
• IRCC provincial nominee application forms and guides: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-permanent-residence-provincial-nominee.html

Saskatchewan will post updates when sectoral caps are reached or when nomination spaces shift. Check these pages regularly, since small reopenings can occur when returned or unused nominations free up later in the year.

Final practical advice

• Plan early, confirm sector space, and file complete applications quickly.
• Consider LMIA-based federal permits where provincial nomination is not viable.
• For international students and spouses: pivot away from capped sectors if possible and keep close watch on work permit timelines.
• Employers should map urgent vacancies into two buckets: those that qualify under SINP and those better served by LMIA or internal hiring/training.

In today’s environment, success hinges on planning, speed, and flexibility. Employers and applicants who confirm sector eligibility, prioritize in-Canada candidates where required, and act swiftly on available spaces have the best chance of moving forward under the new SINP rules—even as labour shortages persist across many parts of Saskatchewan’s economy.