Tips for Obtaining Permanent Residency in Saskatchewan

On any journey, the first thought is always, "how am I going to get there?" What usually comes to mind next is how easy or hard this journey will be or if it's even possible to accomplish.

When it comes to calling Canada home, Saskatchewan is one of the easier provinces to make that happen. The eligibility criteria are attainable and the processing speeds are quick.

For larger provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, or Quebec—where the competition for provincial nominations is intense—the bar for eligibility is high for their programs. Because of this, it follows that the very achievable criteria set in Saskatchewan attract aspiring immigrants because they are able to compete and meet easier steps to qualify.

Herein are some programs that help eligible candidates obtain permanent residency (PR) in Saskatchewan, mistakes to avoid when applying, and how to maximize chances of success.

The Best Immigration Programs To Use

The most streamlined pathway to obtaining PR status in Saskatchewan is through the SINP.

In our experience helping clients aim for PR status, these are the economic categories most often targeted in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program:

• Student

• International Skilled Worker (with employment offer)

• Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot

• Existing Work Permit

• Occupation In-Demand

• SINP Express Entry

Categories to pay particular attention to which have the most straightforward ways to secure a nomination and then apply for PR are Student, Existing Work Permit, and Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot.

• The Student category flexes between graduating from a school in Saskatchewan or elsewhere in Canada. The key criteria is to have a job offer from a Saskatchewan employer related to your field of study from the Saskatchewan or Canadian school.

• Existing Work Permit is the easiest route to becoming a permanent resident. Eligibility calls for:

• a valid work permit (except if it is issued to a PGWP-holder or refugee claimant);

• worked 6 months for a Saskatchewan employer in a high-skilled job (licensing required in some) or designated trade; and

• the Job Approval Letter that the employer gets from SINP

• The Hard-to-Fill Skills category started as a pilot in January 2022 and with more low-skilled jobs added to the criteria (there are 28 occupations listed as of October 2022), this likely means it will remain as an ongoing program. Applicant eligibility varies, but it generally requires:

• at least one year of full-time work experience anywhere in the past three years (in your intended occupation); or six months (780 hours) of full-time (30+ hours per week) work experience in Saskatchewan in the job with the employer that has provided you with the Job Approval Letter;

• an Educational Credential Assessment if you have no Canadian studies;   

• a  satisfactory language test result of at least CLB4; and

• the Job Approval Letter that the employer gets from SINP

Prior to the introduction of the Hard-to-Fill Skills category, the emphasis of other categories was on high-skilled occupations; the Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot and its inclusion of lower-skilled positions (e.g. store shelf stockers, housekeepers, kitchen helpers, etc.) allow many more to take advantage and addresses worker shortages in the province. This now becomes an attractive program for the young 20-something with a PGWP from Ontario or elsewhere in Canada who is having a tough time entering the labour force in a high-skilled job.

Wherever they may be coming from, obtaining PR in Saskatchewan opens up the possibility applicants will stay here to build their lives in our province. We regularly see past clients who settled here long-term, got married, have children, sponsor parents, set up new businesses, then assist prospective immigrants by employing them… and the cycle repeats.

Mistakes To Avoid When Applying

Although the bar to aim for PR in Saskatchewan is comparatively low, it's important to note officers are becoming more rigorous in double-checking details like past work experience and past personal history.  It is crucial to be honest, clear, and accurate. It is no fun to have an application refused.

Along those same lines of disclosing accurate information, if you have a new spouse or common-law partner, get married during the processing of a PR application, or have a new child, be sure to tell IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). The consequences of not letting them know can be devastating.

Be careful not to switch your plan mid-stream, especially if you have limited time left on your work permit. Try to pick a plan and stick with it to ensure you're checking all the boxes and collecting the points or eligibility criteria you need. While on that path, talk with your employer: Will they support you? Are they on board with the steps you're taking? Will they confirm your work experience? Bottom line: be a good employee.

If you were nominated based on a job offer and applied for PR, then the unexpected happened—you were fired, laid off, quit, or found another better opportunity—to protect your PR application, you will want to find another Saskatchewan employer to give you a job offer and Job Approval Letter so you can ask SINP to change your nomination letter from the previous employer to the new employer.

Maximizing Your Chances of Success

Again, the good news for Saskatchewan is it’s easier to guide people and create a plan to make them PR eligible, and we have access to many resources here.

Please note that while most programs rely on job offers, you should never have to pay for your job or be taken advantage of by an employer to get a job offer to apply for PR status. We are seeing new immigration programs designed every year where applicants do not require a job offer, giving them a smoother way to accomplish their goals and avoiding the stress of relying on an employer’s cooperation.

The most important thing to know about maximizing your chances of success is to read the rules, be aware of what you need to be eligible, and have an eligibility plan to make it all happen. We regularly meet persons who had no awareness of the eligibility criteria and had their application refused—naturally, they are upset at having missed an opportunity.

Our team here at Edge Immigration can help you throughout the entire process of obtaining your permanent residency. We will look at each option with you, weigh the pros and cons that best benefit you, and map out the steps to accomplish your goals. Book a free consultation with us today, and let’s work on leaving your temporary status behind so you can put down roots, make long-term plans, and build a stable future here with your family!