Breaking: Saskatchewan Opens New Path to Canada (No Job Offer)

Saskatchewan opens new immigration pathway for skilled workers

On This Page You Will Find:

• Complete eligibility requirements for Saskatchewan's in-demand worker program
• Current point requirements and recent draw results (updated September 2024)
• Step-by-step scoring system to calculate your chances
• Real applicant examples with exact point breakdowns
• Complete list of excluded occupations to avoid
• Application timeline and next steps

Summary:

Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand program offers skilled workers a direct route to Canadian permanent residence without needing a job offer or Express Entry profile. With draws happening regularly at 88-89 points and over 1,000 invitations issued in 2024, this could be your fastest path to Canada. The program targets high-skilled workers in TEER 0-3 occupations, requires just one year of experience, and allows applications from anywhere in the world. If you score 60+ points on their assessment grid, you could be living in Saskatchewan within 12-18 months.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• No job offer required - apply from anywhere in the world
• Recent draws at 88-89 points with 32-48 invitations per draw
• One year of skilled work experience in past 10 years qualifies you
• Direct application to federal government (no Express Entry needed)
• CLB 4 minimum language requirement (much lower than Express Entry)

Maria stared at her laptop screen in disbelief. After years of trying to return to Canada through Express Entry with no success, she'd just received an invitation from Saskatchewan's immigration program. Her CLB 8 English scores and Early Childhood Education diploma from Saskatchewan Polytechnic eight years ago had finally paid off. Within six months, she was back in Saskatoon with her permanent residence approved.

Stories like Maria's are becoming increasingly common as Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand program emerges as one of Canada's most accessible immigration pathways. While Express Entry draws hover around 500+ points, Saskatchewan is inviting candidates with scores in the high 80s – and you don't even need a job offer.

What Makes Saskatchewan's Program Different

The Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand sub-category operates completely independently from Express Entry. This means you can apply directly to the Canadian government for permanent residence once nominated, without creating an Express Entry profile or waiting for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Here's what sets it apart:

No job offer required – Unlike many Provincial Nominee Programs, Saskatchewan doesn't require you to have employment lined up before applying.

Lower language requirements – The minimum is CLB 4, compared to CLB 7+ typically needed for competitive Express Entry scores.

Broader occupation list – Any skilled occupation (TEER 0-3) that's not specifically excluded is eligible.

Regular draws – Saskatchewan conducts draws every 2-3 months, providing consistent opportunities.

Recent Draw Results: Your Chances in 2024

Saskatchewan has maintained steady invitation numbers throughout 2024, with some encouraging trends:

September 12, 2024: 32 invitations at 88 points June 13, 2024: 32 invitations at 88 points
March 7, 2024: 14 invitations at 89 points December 27, 2023: 48 invitations at 69 points (healthcare occupations only)

The consistency around 88-89 points suggests this is the current competitive range. However, specialized draws for healthcare workers have seen significantly lower requirements, with the December 2023 draw accepting candidates at just 69 points.

Eligibility Requirements: Do You Qualify?

To be eligible for Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand program, you need to meet five core requirements:

1. Work Experience Requirement

You need at least one year of skilled work experience in the past 10 years in an occupation classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. This experience must be:

• In your field of education or training
• In an occupation NOT on the excluded list (see below)
• Obtained within the last 10 years

2. Education Requirement

You must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education, including:

• Diploma, certificate, or degree from a recognized institution
• Apprenticeship program
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if studied outside Canada

3. Language Requirement

Minimum CLB 4 in English or French. While this is the minimum, higher scores significantly boost your points (CLB 8+ earns maximum language points).

4. Points Requirement

You must score at least 60 points on Saskatchewan's assessment grid. However, recent draws suggest you need 88+ points to receive an invitation.

5. Professional Licensing

If your occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan, you must provide proof of professional status or licensing eligibility.

Occupations to Avoid: The Excluded List

Saskatchewan maintains a specific list of occupations that are NOT eligible for this program. Here are the key exclusions updated as of May 2024:

Management Occupations:

• Legislators (00010)
• Senior government managers (00011)
• Administrative services managers (10019)

Finance & Business:

• Financial auditors and accountants (11100)
• Banking, credit and investment managers (10010)
• Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers (10011)

Technology:

• Information systems analysts and consultants (21221)
• Database analysts and data administrators (21223)
• Software engineers and designers (21231)

Healthcare:

• Dentists (31110)
• Pharmacists (31120)
• Dietitians and nutritionists (31121)

The complete excluded list contains over 100 occupations, so it's crucial to verify your NOC code isn't listed before applying.

Points Assessment System: Calculate Your Score

Saskatchewan uses a 110-point system with two main categories:

Factor 1: Labour Market Success (Maximum 80 points)

Education Points:

• Master's/Doctorate: 23 points
• Bachelor's degree (3+ years): 20 points
• Trade certification: 20 points
• 2-year diploma: 15 points
• Certificate (2 semesters): 12 points

Work Experience Points: Recent experience (past 5 years):

• 5 years: 10 points
• 4 years: 8 points
• 3 years: 6 points
• 2 years: 4 points
• 1 year: 2 points

Older experience (6-10 years ago):

• 5 years: 5 points
• 4 years: 4 points
• 3 years: 3 points
• 2 years: 2 points

Language Points: First language:

• CLB 8+: 20 points
• CLB 7: 18 points
• CLB 6: 16 points
• CLB 5: 14 points
• CLB 4: 12 points

Second language:

• CLB 8+: 10 points
• CLB 7: 8 points
• CLB 6: 6 points
• CLB 5: 4 points
• CLB 4: 2 points

Age Points:

• 22-34 years: 12 points
• 35-45 years: 10 points
• 18-21 years: 8 points
• 46-50 years: 8 points
• Under 18 or over 50: 0 points

Factor 2: Saskatchewan Connections (Maximum 30 points)

Family Connection:

• Close relative in Saskatchewan: 20 points

Previous Experience:

• Work experience in Saskatchewan (12+ months): 5 points
• Study experience in Saskatchewan (1+ academic year): 5 points

Real Applicant Examples: See How They Scored

Let's look at three successful candidates to understand how the scoring works:

Christopher's Success Story

Christopher, 33, worked as a horticulture manager in the UK for eight years. Here's his breakdown:

• Education: 2-year college diploma = 15 points
• Work Experience: 5 years recent + 3 years older = 10 + 3 = 13 points
• Language: CLB 9 English = 20 points
• Age: 33 years old = 12 points
• Saskatchewan Connections: None = 0 points

Total: 60 points (meets minimum but needs improvement for current draws)

Sachin's Journey

Sachin, 40, worked as a motor vehicle body repairer in India for 16 years:

• Education: 1-year diploma = 12 points
• Work Experience: 5 years recent + 5 years older = 10 + 5 = 15 points
• Language: CLB 5 English = 14 points
• Age: 40 years old = 10 points
• Saskatchewan Connections: Cousin in Saskatoon = 20 points

Total: 71 points (closer to competitive range)

Maria's Return

Maria, 32, studied and worked in Early Childhood Education:

• Education: Saskatchewan Polytechnic diploma = 15 points + 5 points (study experience)
• Work Experience: 5 years recent + 2 years older = 10 + 2 = 12 points
• Language: CLB 8 English = 20 points
• Age: 32 years old = 12 points
• Saskatchewan Connections: Previous study = 5 points

Total: 64 points (plus 5 bonus points = 69 points)

Application Process: Your Step-by-Step Timeline

Step 1: Create Your OASIS Profile

Register in Saskatchewan's online application system (OASIS) and complete your profile. The system automatically calculates your points based on the information provided.

Step 2: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

If you score 60+ points, you can submit an EOI. This places you in the candidate pool where you'll be ranked against other applicants.

Step 3: Wait for Invitation

Saskatchewan conducts draws every 2-3 months, inviting the highest-scoring candidates. Based on recent trends, you'll need 88+ points to receive an invitation.

Step 4: Submit Full Application

Once invited, you have 60 days to submit your complete application with all supporting documents. The application fee is $350 CAD (non-refundable).

Step 5: Provincial Nomination

Saskatchewan reviews applications and issues provincial nominations to successful candidates. Processing time is typically 2-3 months.

Step 6: Federal Application

With your provincial nomination, apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. This process takes 12-18 months.

Strategies to Improve Your Score

If you're below the competitive 88-point threshold, consider these approaches:

Improve Your Language Scores: Moving from CLB 5 to CLB 8 adds 6 points and could make the difference between success and rejection.

Gain More Work Experience: Each additional year of recent experience adds 2 points, while older experience adds 1 point.

Establish Saskatchewan Connections: If you have distant relatives in Saskatchewan, the 20-point family connection could be game-changing.

Consider Further Education: Upgrading your credentials could add 3-11 points depending on your current level.

Study in Saskatchewan: One academic year of study adds 5 points and demonstrates commitment to the province.

Common Mistakes That Kill Applications

Based on immigration consultants' experiences, here are the most frequent errors:

Wrong NOC Code: Choosing an excluded occupation or incorrect classification can result in immediate rejection.

Insufficient Documentation: Missing or inadequate proof of work experience, education, or language ability.

Overestimating Points: Candidates often miscalculate their scores, leading to disappointment when officially assessed.

Ignoring Professional Requirements: Regulated occupations require additional licensing steps that many applicants overlook.

Poor Settlement Plan: Saskatchewan wants to see genuine intention to settle and contribute to the province.

What Happens After Nomination

Once Saskatchewan nominates you, your journey to permanent residence accelerates significantly. The provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Express Entry profile if you choose that route, or allows direct federal application outside Express Entry.

Your nomination is valid for six months, giving you time to gather federal application documents. Most nominees receive permanent residence within 12-18 months of federal application submission.

The key advantage is certainty – provincial nomination virtually guarantees permanent residence approval, assuming you meet basic federal requirements like medical exams and security checks.

Is Saskatchewan Right for You?

Saskatchewan offers unique advantages for new immigrants, but it's important to have realistic expectations about life in the province.

Economic Opportunities: Strong job market in agriculture, mining, technology, and healthcare sectors. Unemployment rates consistently below national average.

Cost of Living: Housing costs significantly lower than Toronto or Vancouver. Average home prices around $300,000 compared to $1.2 million in Toronto.

Climate Considerations: Cold winters (temperatures can reach -30°C) but warm summers. Many newcomers adapt well with proper preparation.

Community Support: Strong settlement services and welcoming communities, especially in Saskatoon and Regina.

Pathway to Other Provinces: Once you have permanent residence, you can eventually move anywhere in Canada, though Saskatchewan prefers nominees who genuinely intend to stay.

Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand program represents one of Canada's most accessible immigration pathways for skilled workers. With no job offer required, reasonable point thresholds, and regular draws, it offers hope for thousands of candidates who might otherwise wait years through Express Entry.

The key to success lies in understanding the point system, ensuring your occupation isn't excluded, and preparing a strong application that demonstrates genuine intention to settle in Saskatchewan. While the province may not be your ultimate Canadian destination, it can serve as an excellent stepping stone to permanent residence and eventual citizenship.

If you're scoring 80+ points and work in an eligible occupation, Saskatchewan's program deserves serious consideration as your pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Start by creating your OASIS profile today – your next invitation could be just months away.