Your pathway to Canadian permanent residence through Saskatchewan nomination
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete eligibility requirements and application process breakdown
- Current draw history with minimum scores and invitation numbers
- Detailed points calculator to assess your qualification chances
- Excluded occupations list that could disqualify your application
- Real candidate examples showing exactly how points are calculated
- Timeline and costs for the entire nomination process
Summary:
Saskatchewan Express Entry offers skilled workers a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence through provincial nomination, adding 600 points to your Express Entry profile. With recent draws requiring as low as 69 points and no job offer needed, this program targets high-skilled workers in eligible occupations. Understanding the points system, excluded occupations list, and draw patterns can significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation in 2025.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Saskatchewan nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing permanent residence
- No job offer required - just one year of skilled work experience in the past decade
- Recent draws invited candidates with scores as low as 69-89 points
- Your occupation must NOT be on the excluded list of 80+ restricted jobs
- Minimum 60 points required on SINP assessment grid to submit Expression of Interest
Picture this: Maria, a 32-year-old software developer from Brazil, watched her Express Entry CRS score hover around 430 for months. Despite her bachelor's degree and strong English skills, she couldn't compete with candidates scoring 480+. Then she discovered Saskatchewan Express Entry. Within six months, she received her provincial nomination, boosting her score to 1,030 and securing her invitation to apply for permanent residence.
If you're frustrated watching Express Entry draws pass you by, Saskatchewan's program might be your golden ticket to Canadian immigration.
What Makes Saskatchewan Express Entry Different
Saskatchewan Express Entry operates as a sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), specifically designed for candidates already in Canada's federal Express Entry pool. Unlike other provincial programs requiring job offers or specific connections, Saskatchewan focuses purely on your skills and potential contribution to their economy.
The magic number here is 600. That's exactly how many additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points you'll receive once Saskatchewan nominates you. To put this in perspective, if your current CRS score is 400 (which many skilled workers achieve), you'll jump to 1,000 points overnight.
Recent Express Entry draws have required scores between 480-530 points, making provincial nomination your most reliable path to permanent residence if you're scoring below this threshold.
Current Draw Trends and Your Chances
Saskatchewan's invitation patterns reveal encouraging trends for 2024 applicants. The most recent September draw invited 57 candidates with a minimum score of just 88 points, focusing on specific high-demand occupations including financial managers, engineers, and healthcare professionals.
Here's what the numbers tell us:
- June 2024: 88 invitations, 88 minimum points
- March 2024: 21 invitations, 89 minimum points
- December 2023: 15 invitations, 69 minimum points
The variation in minimum scores (69-89 points) suggests Saskatchewan adjusts requirements based on labor market needs and application volume. Healthcare occupations consistently appear in draws, reflecting the province's ongoing recruitment priorities.
The Critical Excluded Occupations List
Before calculating your points, you must verify your occupation isn't on Saskatchewan's excluded list. This list contains over 80 occupations that are ineligible, regardless of your qualifications.
Major excluded categories include:
- Financial roles: Auditors, accountants, financial advisors
- Legal positions: Lawyers, paralegals, court reporters
- Arts and media: Graphic designers, photographers, journalists
- Food service: Chefs, restaurant managers, food service supervisors
- Retail management: Store managers, retail supervisors
The exclusions reflect Saskatchewan's specific labor market needs. They're actively seeking workers in engineering, healthcare, skilled trades, and technology sectors while limiting applications in oversaturated fields.
Important note: Even if your current job is excluded, you might qualify based on previous work experience in an eligible occupation within the past 10 years.
Understanding the Points Assessment System
Saskatchewan uses a 110-point system across two main categories: Labor Market Success (80 points maximum) and Connection to Saskatchewan (30 points maximum). You need at least 60 points to submit an Expression of Interest.
Education Points (Maximum 23)
- Master's or Doctorate: 23 points
- Bachelor's degree: 20 points
- Trade certification: 20 points
- Two-year diploma: 15 points
- Certificate program: 12 points
Work Experience Points (Maximum 15)
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) earns fewer points but still counts.
Language Requirements (Maximum 30)
First language:
- CLB 8+: 20 points
- CLB 7: 18 points
- CLB 6: 16 points
- CLB 5: 14 points
Second language can add up to 10 additional points.
Age Optimization (Maximum 12)
- 22-34 years: 12 points (optimal range)
- 35-45 years: 10 points
- 18-21 years: 8 points
- 46-50 years: 8 points
Real Candidate Examples
Let me show you how this works in practice with three different scenarios:
Case 1: Anthony (60 points - minimum qualifying score)
- Age 28: 12 points
- Two-year welding diploma: 15 points
- 8 years welding experience: 10 points (recent) + 5 points (older)
- CLB 8 English: 20 points
- No Saskatchewan connections: 0 points
- Total: 62 points
Case 2: Rahul (69 points - recent draw minimum)
- Age 40: 10 points
- One-year mechanics diploma: 12 points
- 20 years experience: 15 points total
- CLB 4 English: 12 points
- Cousin in Saskatchewan: 20 points
- Total: 69 points
Case 3: Manon (67 points - strong candidate)
- Age 30: 12 points
- Bachelor's degree: 20 points
- 6 years agricultural experience: 10 points
- CLB 8 French: 20 points
- Saskatchewan education: 5 points
- Total: 67 points
All three candidates qualify for the Expression of Interest pool, though their invitation chances vary based on draw patterns and competition.
Application Process and Timeline
Once you meet the 60-point minimum, here's your step-by-step journey:
Step 1: Create OASIS Profile (1-2 weeks) Submit your Expression of Interest through Saskatchewan's online system. You'll need language test results, educational credential assessment, and work experience documentation.
Step 2: Wait for Invitation (1-6 months) Saskatchewan conducts irregular draws, sometimes monthly, sometimes quarterly. Monitor their website and draw announcements closely.
Step 3: Submit Full Application (60 days) After receiving an invitation, you have exactly 60 days to submit your complete application with all supporting documents and the $350 non-refundable fee.
Step 4: Provincial Review (2-3 months) Saskatchewan reviews your application for completeness and eligibility. They may request additional documentation during this phase.
Step 5: Nomination Confirmation (1-2 weeks) If approved, Saskatchewan confirms your nomination in the Express Entry system. You have 30 days to accept.
Step 6: Federal Application (60 days after ITA) With your 600 additional CRS points, you'll receive an Invitation to Apply in the next Express Entry draw. Submit your federal permanent residence application within 60 days.
Costs and Financial Requirements
Budget approximately $2,000-$4,000 for the complete process:
- SINP application fee: $350
- Language testing: $300-$400
- Educational credential assessment: $200-$300
- Document translation: $100-$500
- Federal application fees: $1,365 (principal applicant)
- Medical examinations: $300-$500
You must also demonstrate settlement funds:
- Single person: $13,757
- Family of two: $17,127
- Family of three: $21,055
- Family of four: $25,564
These amounts increase annually and represent the minimum funds needed to support yourself during initial settlement.
Common Mistakes That Kill Applications
Documentation Errors: Inconsistencies between your Express Entry profile and SINP application cause automatic rejections. Ensure identical information across all platforms.
Language Test Timing: Your language test results must be valid when you submit your SINP application AND when you receive your federal ITA. Plan test timing carefully to avoid expiration issues.
Work Experience Verification: Saskatchewan scrutinizes work experience claims closely. Obtain detailed reference letters including job duties, employment dates, salary information, and supervisor contact details.
Educational Credentials: Foreign degrees require Educational Credential Assessment before application submission. This process takes 6-8 weeks, so plan accordingly.
Maximizing Your Competitive Edge
Strategic Occupation Selection: If you have experience in multiple occupations, choose the one most frequently invited in recent draws. Engineering, healthcare, and skilled trades appear consistently.
Language Score Optimization: Even small language improvements significantly impact your points. Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 8 adds 2-12 points depending on which language skills improve.
Connection Building: Consider visiting Saskatchewan for networking or job searching. While not required, demonstrating genuine interest strengthens your application.
Timing Your Application: Submit your Expression of Interest immediately after meeting requirements. The pool operates on a first-come basis when candidates have identical scores.
What Happens After Nomination
Receiving Saskatchewan's nomination improve your immigration timeline. Your Express Entry profile automatically updates with 600 additional points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation in the next federal draw.
Federal draws occur every two weeks, so you'll typically receive your ITA within 14 days of accepting nomination. The federal processing time for permanent residence applications averages 6 months, meaning you could have your confirmation of permanent residence within 8-10 months of receiving provincial nomination.
Your nomination also creates obligations. You must demonstrate genuine intent to live and work in Saskatchewan, though you're not legally required to remain there permanently after obtaining residence.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Predictions
Saskatchewan's immigration targets continue growing, with the province aiming to welcome 13,000-15,000 new permanent residents annually. This suggests consistent draw frequency and potentially lower minimum scores for high-demand occupations.
Healthcare worker shortages remain critical, making nursing, pharmacy, and medical technology occupations prime targets for invitations. Technology sector growth in Saskatoon and Regina also creates opportunities for software developers, engineers, and IT professionals.
The excluded occupations list may expand if certain sectors become oversaturated, so apply sooner rather than later if you're in a currently eligible occupation.
Your Next Steps
Start by honestly assessing your points using Saskatchewan's calculator. If you're close to 60 points, identify areas for quick improvement - perhaps retaking language tests or obtaining additional credentials.
Create your Express Entry profile first, as this is mandatory before applying to Saskatchewan. Ensure all information is accurate and complete, as inconsistencies between federal and provincial applications cause delays or rejections.
Research your occupation's appearance frequency in recent draws. If it appears regularly, your invitation chances are higher. If it's rarely invited, consider whether you qualify under alternative occupation codes.
Saskatchewan Express Entry offers one of Canada's most accessible pathways to permanent residence for skilled workers. With no job offer requirement, reasonable point thresholds, and consistent draw frequency, it represents a genuine opportunity to achieve your Canadian immigration goals.
The key is acting strategically and quickly. Immigration programs evolve constantly, and today's opportunities may not exist tomorrow. If you meet the requirements, submit your Expression of Interest and position yourself for success in Canada's fastest-growing prairie province.
FAQ
Q: How does Saskatchewan Express Entry guarantee 600 CRS points, and what does this mean for my permanent residence application?
When Saskatchewan nominates you through their Express Entry category, they automatically add 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the federal Express Entry pool. For example, if your current score is 430 points, you'll jump to 1,030 points overnight. Since recent federal Express Entry draws have required scores between 480-530 points, this nomination virtually guarantees you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next federal draw. The federal government conducts draws every two weeks, so you'll typically receive your ITA within 14 days of accepting Saskatchewan's nomination, making this one of the most reliable pathways to Canadian permanent residence.
Q: What are the minimum requirements to qualify for Saskatchewan Express Entry, and how is the 60-point threshold calculated?
You need at least 60 points on Saskatchewan's assessment grid, which has a maximum of 110 points across education, work experience, language ability, age, and connections to Saskatchewan. The minimum viable candidate might score: 12 points for age (22-34 years), 15 points for a two-year diploma, 10 points for recent work experience, 20 points for CLB 8 English, and 0 points for Saskatchewan connections, totaling 57 points. To reach 60 points, you'd need either higher education, more work experience, better language scores, or Saskatchewan connections. Additionally, you must have at least one year of skilled work experience in the past decade in an occupation that's NOT on Saskatchewan's excluded list of 80+ restricted jobs.
Q: Which occupations are excluded from Saskatchewan Express Entry, and how can I check if my job qualifies?
Saskatchewan excludes over 80 occupations from their Express Entry program, primarily in oversaturated fields. Major excluded categories include financial roles (auditors, accountants, financial advisors), legal positions (lawyers, paralegals), arts and media (graphic designers, photographers, journalists), food service (chefs, restaurant managers), and retail management positions. However, Saskatchewan actively seeks workers in engineering, healthcare, skilled trades, and technology sectors. You can verify your occupation's eligibility by checking the current excluded occupations list on Saskatchewan's official SINP website. Remember, even if your current job is excluded, you might qualify based on previous work experience in an eligible occupation within the past 10 years.
Q: What are the recent draw trends and minimum scores for Saskatchewan Express Entry invitations?
Recent Saskatchewan Express Entry draws show encouraging trends with relatively low minimum scores. In September 2024, they invited 57 candidates with a minimum score of just 88 points, while June 2024 saw 88 invitations with an 88-point minimum. The December 2023 draw had the lowest requirement at 69 points for 15 invitations. Draw frequency varies from monthly to quarterly, depending on labor market needs and application volume. Healthcare occupations consistently appear in draws, reflecting ongoing recruitment priorities. The variation in minimum scores (69-89 points) suggests Saskatchewan adjusts requirements based on demand. If you score between 60-89 points and work in a high-demand occupation like engineering, healthcare, or skilled trades, your invitation chances are strong.
Q: What is the complete timeline and cost breakdown for the Saskatchewan Express Entry process?
The entire process typically takes 8-12 months from Expression of Interest to permanent residence confirmation. Timeline breakdown: creating your OASIS profile (1-2 weeks), waiting for invitation (1-6 months), submitting full application (60 days deadline), provincial review (2-3 months), nomination confirmation (1-2 weeks), and federal application processing (6 months average). Total costs range from $2,000-$4,000, including the $350 SINP application fee, $300-$400 for language testing, $200-$300 for educational credential assessment, $1,365 in federal fees, and $300-$500 for medical examinations. You must also demonstrate settlement funds: $13,757 for a single person, $17,127 for two people, $21,055 for three, and $25,564 for a family of four.
Q: What happens after receiving Saskatchewan nomination, and am I required to live there permanently?
After Saskatchewan nominates you, your Express Entry profile automatically updates with 600 additional points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation in the next federal draw (typically within 14 days). You have 30 days to accept the nomination and 60 days to submit your federal permanent residence application after receiving the ITA. Federal processing averages 6 months, meaning you could have permanent residence within 8-10 months of provincial nomination. While you must demonstrate genuine intent to live and work in Saskatchewan during the application process, you're not legally required to remain there permanently after obtaining residence. However, showing good faith effort to establish yourself in Saskatchewan is important, as the federal government monitors nominees' settlement patterns.
Q: How can I maximize my chances of receiving an invitation, and what are the most common application mistakes to avoid?
To maximize your chances, focus on strategic occupation selection by choosing roles that appear frequently in recent draws (engineering, healthcare, skilled trades). Optimize your language scores since moving from CLB 7 to CLB 8 can add 2-12 points. Submit your Expression of Interest immediately after meeting requirements, as the pool operates first-come, first-served for identical scores. Common fatal mistakes include documentation inconsistencies between your Express Entry and SINP profiles, expired language test results, inadequate work experience verification letters, and missing educational credential assessments. Ensure your reference letters include detailed job duties, employment dates, salary information, and supervisor contact details. Plan language test timing carefully so results remain valid through both provincial and federal application phases.
