Saskatchewan Tech Talent Immigration Program

The new Saskatchewan PNP Tech Talent immigration pathway came into effect from March 7, 2022, to help Saskatchewan fill labour shortages in technology sectors. This new Immigration Stream of Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invites the Highly Skilled Overseas Tech Talent, with a Job Approval Letter from the SINP in some targeted occupations. It is now one among the key subcategories of ISW (International Skilled Worker) category under Saskatchewan PNP, i.e.

• ISW- Express Entry subcategory
• Occupation In demand (OID)
• Employment offer
• ISW- Tech Talent Pathway

Managed under SINP's International Skilled Worker (ISW) category, the tech talent stream is ideal for those high-skilled innovation and technology sector workers who have a valid skilled job offer in Saskatchewan. The stream also offers a fast-track pathway to Canada's permanent residency for tech professionals who are currently working in Saskatchewan and foreign recruits.

Eligible Occupation under Saskatchewan Tech Talent Stream

Following are the eligible high-skilled technology and innovation occupations under this tech stream:

Occupations Requiring Licensing

All those candidates whose occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan must qualify for licensing. Following are the occupations that need licensing:

• NOC 2147 – Computer Engineers
• NOC 2173 – Software Engineers (but not Designers)
• NOC 2133 – Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Eligibility Criteria for Non-Express Entry Profiles

Candidates living outside Canada or having proof of legal status in Canada and are not a refugee claimant must:

• Meet the minimum work-experience requirement:

• • If applying from Saskatchewan: Must be currently working in Saskatchewan and have worked for at least six months for an employer (full-time) offering a job in an eligible tech occupation. If candidates have not been working for the supporting employer full-time for a minimum of six months, then they must have at least 12 months of work experience gained in the last five years.
  • If applying from outside or inside of Canada: Must have at least one year of work experience in a high-skilled related occupation gained in the past five years in the intended occupation.

• Meet the language requirements:

• If already working for the employer offering a job, they must meet the language criteria as per the job offer. The employer will assess the language ability of an applicant.
• If not working for the employer offering a job, they must score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher to prove English or French language proficiency.

• Qualify for Saskatchewan licensing for the following occupation-

• • NOC 2147 – Computer Engineers
  • NOC 2173 – Software Engineers (not Designers)
  • NOC 2133 – Electrical and Electronics Engineers need to:

• Submit a letter to show that the Association approves the Engineer-in-Training registration application of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS); or
• Submit a letter from APEGS as evidence that the candidate has been assigned Confirmatory Exams.

• Have completed post-secondary education related to the job offered, including-

• • • Master's or Bachelor's degree, or
    • a three-year degree at any college or university, or
    • a diploma that needs two years at a college, university, technical or trade school, or
    • any other post-secondary education institution

• Have genuine intention to live and work in Saskatchewan permanently.
• Have an offer letter for a permanent, full-time innovation or technology or sector job in Saskatchewan
• Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter 

Please note:- the program criteria are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.   

Eligibility Criteria for Express Entry Profiles

Candidates who have valid Express Entry profiles can also qualify for this stream upon meeting a different set of requirements. Also, Express Entry permanent residency applications will be processed on priority by IRCC, with expected processing times of four to six months.

To qualify for SINP's Tech Talent Stream as an Express Entry candidate who is outside of Canada or have proof of legal status in Canada and are not a refugee claimant, candidates must:

• Have a valid Express Entry Profile Number along with a Job Seeker Code
• Meet the language ability criteria as per the Federal Express Entry system
• Meet the minimum work-experience requirement:

• • If applying from Saskatchewan: Must be currently working in Saskatchewan and have worked for at least six months for an employer (full-time) offering a job in an eligible tech occupation. If candidates have not been working for the supporting employer full-time for a minimum of six months, then they must have at least 12 months of work experience gained in the last five years.
  • If applying from outside or inside of Canada: Must have at least one year of work experience in a high-skilled related occupation gained in the past five years in the intended occupation.

• Meet the language requirements:

• If already working for the employer offering a job, they must meet the language criteria as per the job offer. The employer will assess the language ability of an applicant.
• If not working for the employer offering a job, they must score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher to prove English or French language proficiency.

• Qualify for Saskatchewan licensing for the following occupation-

• • NOC 2147 – Computer Engineers
  • NOC 2173 – Software Engineers (not Designers)
  • NOC 2133 – Electrical and Electronics Engineers need to:

• Submit a letter to show that the Association approves the Engineer-in-Training registration application of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS); or
• Submit a letter from APEGS as evidence that the candidate has been assigned Confirmatory Exams.

• Have completed post-secondary education related to the job offered, including-

• • • Master's or Bachelor's degree, or
    • a three-year degree at any college or university, or
    • a diploma that needs two years at a college, university, technical or trade school, or
    • any other post-secondary education institution

• Have genuine intention to live and work in Saskatchewan permanently.
• Have an offer letter for a permanent, full-time innovation or technology or sector job in Saskatchewan
• Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter

Please note:- the program criteria are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.  

Application Process for SINP Tech Talent Pathway

To apply to the SINP tech talent program, you must have a job offer. In addition, the employer needs to provide you with a Job Approval Letter issued from the SINP.

You may follow the stepwise process mentioned below:

• Fill, scan and submit the supporting documents. Applications submitted with missing documents will be returned.
• Create your online account
• Complete all the forms
• Scan and upload the completed forms along with supporting documents as a PDF
• Submit your final application online

To discover your eligibility to apply for a Canada PR visa in 2022 as a provincial nominee via SINP's New Tech Talent Stream, fill out our free assessment form today.

To prepare your Canada immigration file and apply for in suitable Canadian PNP, you may call an immigration expert at Visas Avenue on Toll-Free Number– 78-18-000-777 or drop an email at info@visasavenue.com.