Saskatchewan Returning Some Provincial Nominee Applications: June 2025 Update

In a significant move impacting Canada’s immigration landscape, the province of Saskatchewan has announced that it is returning certain applications for provincial nomination through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This decision specifically affects candidates working in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors. The changes come as part of broader reforms to the SINP and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations by the federal government.

As of March 2025, the SINP introduced a 25% nomination cap for applicants employed in these sectors. This cap has now been reached, prompting Saskatchewan to return new applications from these industries. However, the province has left the door open for potential reconsideration later in the year if unused nominations become available.

While the SINP continues to accept Job Approval Forms (JAFs) from employers, having a JAF or a Job Approval Letter (JAL) does not guarantee a nomination if the sector’s cap has been reached. This development underscores a shift in Saskatchewan’s immigration strategy, prioritizing certain sectors over others due to federal policy changes.

The federal government has reduced overall PNP allocations by 50% for 2025 and now requires that 75% of nominees be temporary residents already living in Canada. This has led Saskatchewan to focus its overseas recruitment efforts on high-priority sectors such as health, agriculture, and skilled trades.

Additionally, several pathways under the SINP have been permanently closed, including the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator streams. Eligibility for certain employer-driven categories, such as spas, salons, and general pet care services, has also been removed.

These changes reflect a broader trend in Canadian provincial immigration programs toward stricter quotas and more targeted, sector-based recruitment. For employers and applicants in the affected sectors, the message is clear: monitor SINP updates closely and explore alternative immigration pathways if necessary.

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Key Changes to SINP in 2025

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has introduced several key changes in 2025 that are reshaping its immigration processes. These changes are part of a broader strategy to align with federal immigration policies and address specific labor market needs in the province.

Nomination Cap Introduced

As of March 2025, the SINP introduced a 25% nomination cap for applicants employed in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors. This cap limits the number of nominations that can be issued to candidates in these sectors to 25% of the total annual nominations. This change was implemented to manage the reduced nomination allocations from the federal government and to prioritize other high-demand sectors.

Cap Status (June 2025)

As of June 2025, the 25% nomination cap for the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors has been fully utilized. This means that any new applications submitted by candidates in these sectors will be returned, as the quota for the year has already been reached. However, the SINP has indicated that if any unused nominations become available later in the year, additional candidates from these sectors may be considered.

Affected Sectors

The sectors most impacted by the 25% nomination cap are:

• Transportation
• Retail
• Accommodation and food services

Candidates working in these sectors who submitted applications after the cap was reached will have their applications returned. Employers in these sectors are still able to submit Job Approval Forms (JAFs), but nominations will not be granted until or unless more slots become available.

JAF/JAL Status

While the SINP continues to accept Job Approval Forms (JAFs) from employers, it is important to note that having a JAF or a Job Approval Letter (JAL) does not guarantee a nomination. This is especially true for candidates in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors, where the nomination cap has already been reached. Employers can still submit JAFs, but candidates in these sectors will not be considered for nomination until additional slots become available.

Closed Pathways

The SINP has also permanently closed certain pathways, including the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator streams. Additionally, eligibility for certain employer-driven categories, such as spas, salons, and general pet care services, has been removed. These closures are part of the program’s broader strategy to focus on high-priority sectors and manage the reduced nomination allocations from the federal government.

Prioritized Overseas Recruitment

Due to the reduced nomination allocations and the 25% cap on certain sectors, the SINP is now focusing its overseas recruitment efforts on high-priority sectors, including:

• Health
• Agriculture
• Skilled trades

These sectors have been identified as critical to addressing Saskatchewan’s labor market needs, and the SINP is prioritizing the recruitment of overseas workers in these areas.

Temporary Pause and Resumption of JAF Intake

Earlier in 2025, there was a temporary pause in the intake of new Job Approval Forms (JAFs). This pause was necessary to allow the SINP to manage the reduced nomination slots and develop a fair plan for their allocation. The intake of new JAFs resumed on March 27, 2025, but the SINP has made it clear that having a JAF or JAL does not guarantee a nomination, especially in sectors where the nomination cap has been reached.

Practical Implications for Employers and Applicants

The changes to the SINP have significant implications for both employers and applicants in the affected sectors.

Employers

Employers in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors may still submit JAFs for candidates, but they should be aware that nominations will not be granted until or unless more slots become available later in the year. Employers in these sectors are encouraged to monitor SINP updates closely for any changes to the nomination cap or the availability of additional slots.

Candidates

Candidates in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors who apply now will have their applications returned, as the provincial nomination slots for these sectors have been fully utilized. Candidates in these sectors are advised to monitor SINP updates for any changes to the nomination cap or the availability of additional slots later in the year. Additionally, candidates in these sectors may want to explore alternative immigration pathways, such as other provincial nominee programs or federal immigration programs.

Summary Table: Key SINP 2025 Changes

Change	Details
Nomination Cap for Certain Sectors	25% annual limit for transportation, retail, accommodation, and food sectors
Cap Status (June 2025)	Fully utilized for these sectors; applications are being returned
Affected Sectors	Transportation, retail, accommodation, and food services
JAF/JAL Status	JAFs still accepted; JAL required for employer-driven streams
Closed Pathways	Entrepreneur, Farm Owner/Operator
Prioritized Overseas Recruitment	Health, agriculture, and skilled trades sectors only
Federal Changes Impacting SINP	50% allocation cut; 75% of nominees must already be temporary residents in Canada

These changes reflect a broader trend in Canadian provincial immigration programs toward tighter quotas and more strategic, sector-based recruitment, driven by overall reductions in federal immigration targets for provincial nominees.

If you are a candidate or employer in an affected sector, it is crucial to monitor SINP updates for any additional nomination slots that may open later in the year, and to consider alternative immigration pathways if applicable.

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Conclusion

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has introduced significant changes in 2025, primarily impacting candidates in the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors. The introduction of a 25% nomination cap for these sectors has led to the return of new applications, as the cap has been fully utilized as of June 2025. These changes reflect Saskatchewan’s alignment with federal immigration policies and its strategic focus on addressing labor market needs in high-priority sectors such as health, agriculture, and skilled trades.

While the SINP continues to accept Job Approval Forms (JAFs) from employers, having a JAF or Job Approval Letter (JAL) does not guarantee a nomination, especially in sectors where the cap has been reached. The permanent closure of certain pathways, such as the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator streams, further underscores the program’s shift toward more targeted recruitment.

For employers and applicants in the affected sectors, it is essential to monitor SINP updates closely for any changes to the nomination cap or the availability of additional slots later in the year. Exploring alternative immigration pathways may also be necessary for those impacted by these changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Which sectors are affected by the 25% nomination cap?

  The 25% nomination cap applies to the transportation, retail, and accommodation and food service sectors.

• What does the 25% nomination cap mean for applicants?

  The 25% nomination cap limits the number of nominations issued to candidates in the affected sectors to 25% of the total annual nominations. As of June 2025, the cap has been fully utilized, and new applications from these sectors are being returned.

• Will applications from the affected sectors be refunded?

  The SINP is returning new applications from the affected sectors, but there is no mention of refunds. Applicants should contact the SINP directly for clarification on application fees.

• How do these changes impact employers in the affected sectors?

  Employers in the affected sectors can still submit Job Approval Forms (JAFs), but nominations will not be granted until or unless additional slots become available later in the year.

• Is there a chance of reconsideration for returned applications?

  Yes, if unused nominations become available later in the year, the SINP may reconsider applications from the affected sectors. Applicants are advised to monitor SINP updates closely.

• What alternative immigration pathways are available for affected candidates?

  Affected candidates may explore other provincial nominee programs or federal immigration programs, such as Express Entry, to pursue their immigration goals.