Saskatchewan Slashes Immigration Streams for 2025 Amid Federal Cutbacks and Shifts Focus to In-Canada Workers and Key Sectors

Saskatchewan’s 2025 Immigration Quota: Navigating Reductions and Adaptations

In a significant announcement, the federal government revealed a 50% reduction in Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations for 2025, lowering the nomination cap to 3,625—the lowest since 2009.

This reduction, part of the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, aims to alleviate pressures on housing, infrastructure, and social services, as outlined by federal authorities.

In response, Saskatchewan implemented a 25% cap on nominations from transportation, retail, and accommodation/food services sectors. As of April 2025, these sectors reached their limits, prompting a pause in processing new Job Approval Forms (JAFs).

The province now prioritizes applicants already in Canada, with 75% of nominees required to be temporary residents, such as foreign workers or international graduates.

Several immigration streams were closed, including the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator pathways, with new restrictions on international students and spousal work permit holders.

Overseas recruitment now focuses on health, agriculture, and skilled trades to address critical labor shortages, aligning with federal economic priorities.

The federal plan emphasizes economic immigrants, with 62% of admissions expected from economic categories by 2027, facilitating permanent residence for temporary residents.

Saskatchewan expressed disappointment over these changes, highlighting the program’s role in filling labor gaps and committing to effective use of reduced quota to support economic growth.

For more details on this development, visit the source article.

Explore more on Canadian immigration trends in our related article.

Saskatchewan’s 2025 Immigration Quota: Navigating Reductions and Adaptations

The federal government’s decision to reduce Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations by 50% for 2025 has led to a nomination cap of 3,625, the lowest since 2009. This reduction aims to alleviate pressures on housing, infrastructure, and social services.

In response, Saskatchewan implemented a 25% cap on nominations from transportation, retail, and accommodation/food services sectors. As of April 2025, these sectors reached their limits, prompting a pause in processing new Job Approval Forms (JAFs).

The province now prioritizes applicants already in Canada, with 75% of nominees required to be temporary residents, such as foreign workers or international graduates.

Several immigration streams were closed, including the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator pathways, with new restrictions on international students and spousal work permit holders. Employers in spas, salons, and pet care services (excluding veterinarians) are no longer eligible for the program.

Overseas recruitment now focuses on health, agriculture, and skilled trades to address critical labor shortages, aligning with federal economic priorities.

The federal plan emphasizes economic immigrants, with 62% of admissions expected from economic categories by 2027, facilitating permanent residence for temporary residents.

Saskatchewan expressed disappointment over these changes, highlighting the program’s role in filling labor gaps and committing to effective use of reduced quota to support economic growth.

For more details on this development, visit the source article.

Explore more on Canadian immigration trends in our related article.

Conclusion

The reduction of Saskatchewan’s 2025 Immigration Quota to 3,625 nominations presents significant challenges for the province’s labor market and immigration goals. Despite these limitations, Saskatchewan is strategically adapting by prioritizing temporary residents and focusing on critical sectors like health, agriculture, and skilled trades. While the federal government’s decision aims to ease pressures on local infrastructure, Saskatchewan remains committed to leveraging its reduced quota effectively to support economic growth and address labor shortages.

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