For people and families who desire to develop, buy, or partner in a business in Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program offers a path to Canadian immigration. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program might be a good fit for you if you are excited about the business opportunities in Saskatchewan.
A applicant can get a temporary work permit through the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program in order to start or buy a business in Saskatchewan and relocate there. The individual may then submit an application for provincial nomination and subsequently for Canadian permanent residence status after the business has been operating successfully for six months.
Four steps make up the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program:
- Enter the candidate pool by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
- Obtain a request to submit an application for consideration during a selection.
- Start a business in Saskatchewan and run it there.
- Obtain provincial nod.
The Saskatchewan immigration authorities select the most qualified applicants from the EOI pool to participate in periodic draws known as EOI Selections.
How does Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program works?
The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Opportunity Initiative (EOI) system functions similarly to the International Skilled Worker (ISW) system for applicants. You must register for an account in the online OASIS system of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program and submit an EOI if you want to apply.
Candidates may enter the pool if they satisfy the minimal requirements (see below), after which they will be scored and ranked. This is more of a Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program interest declaration than an application to the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program.
There is no minimum score criterion for Entrepreneur candidates to join the EOI pool, unlike the ISW criteria. Saskatchewan also takes into account “other factors for business and settlement success” when choosing which applicants to invite. However, the EOI score is a significant deciding factor. Candidates cannot modify their EOIs after they have been filed, which is another significant distinction from the ISW procedure (the SINP makes it clear that age-related points are dependent on the candidate’s age as of the submission date).
The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program’s entry requirements for candidates.
Candidates who may run must:
Have a minimum of $500,000 CAD in net personal and business assets; Show evidence of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience spanning at least three years in the most recent ten years; and Intend to invest at least $300,000 CAD in Regina or Saskatoon or at least $200,000 CAD in another Saskatchewan community.
Grid of Points for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
1. Human Capital
| Factor | Description | Points | Required documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 20 or less | 0 | – Birth certificate – Passport – National identity card |
| 21–29 | 10 | ||
| 30–30 | 15 | ||
| 40–54 | 10 | ||
| 55+ | 0 | ||
| Exploratory visit | At least five working days spent in Saskatchewan, with evidence of relevant business contacts, within the 12 months preceding the EOI submission | 15 | – Passport / visa – Exploratory Visit Report |
| Official language ability: English/French* | No language test | 0 | Official results from IELTS general, CELPIP general, or TEF test |
| CLB level 4 | 5 | ||
| CLB level 5 | 10 | ||
| CLB level 6+ | 15 | ||
| Education / Qualifications (Only the highest qualification may be considered, for a maximum of 15 points in this factor) | Trade or occupational certification from a post-secondary training or apprenticeship of at least one year, full-time | 10 | Certificate of apprenticeship including program details, dates, and times Education certificate, degree, or diploma with official transcripts |
| Bachelor or Post-graduate degree/designation in a Business, Agriculture, or Science/Technology field | 15 | ||
| Net business and personal assets (CAD) | $500,000–$549,999 | 0 | Third party financial verification report |
| $550,000–$749,999 | 5 | ||
| $750,000–$999,999 | 10 | ||
| $1,000,000+ | 15 |
1: 75 points are a possible total for segment
Even (or especially) if English or French is your first language, it is advised that you take a language test if you are interested in applying. With up to 15 points available for language ability, it is a relatively easy way to increase your chances of being invited to apply.
2. Business experience
| Factor | Description | Points | Required documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurial or farming experience | 4 to 7 years | 10 | Resume Organizational charts Business registration/licence Tax registration Third party financial verification |
| 8 or more years | 15 | ||
| 4 to 7 years and 50%+ ownership in business | 15 | ||
| 8 or more years and 50%+ ownership in business | 20 | ||
| Business revenue (CAD) | $50,000–$99,999 | 5 | Third party financial verification report |
| $100,000–$249,999 | 10 | ||
| $250,000–$499,999 | 15 | ||
| $500,000+ | 20 | ||
| Innovation (a maximum of 10 points can be claimed for this factor) | Previous verifiable experience in: | Third party financial verification report Proof of patent Organizational charts | |
| Export trade | 10 | ||
| Registered patents | 10 | ||
| Gazelle business | 10 |
Total possible points for section 2: 50
3. Business Establishment Plan
| Factor | Description | Points | Required documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment amount: Total equity investment to establish, or to purchase and expand an eligible business (CAD) | $200,000–$349,999 | 0 | – Business Establishment Plan – Conditional purchase/sales agreement – Invoices – License and/or registration – Third party financial verification report |
| $350,000–$499,999 | 5 | ||
| $500,000–$749,999 | 10 | ||
| $750,000–$999,999 | 15 | ||
| $1,000,000+ | 20 | ||
| Investment in key economic sectors (proposed business activity – a maximum of 15 points may be claimed for this factor) | Science and technology | 15 | – Business Establishment Plan – Conditional purchase/sales agreement – Exploratory visit report – Resume – Education credentials |
| Manufacturing | 15 | ||
| Export | 15 | ||
| Rural business development | 15 | ||
| Rural business succession | 15 | ||
| Rural business development | 15 |
Total possible points for section 3: 35
Total possible points overall: 160
Next, what?
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program will extend invitations to the top candidates during recurrent draws from the applicant pool, known as EOI Selections, so that they may subsequently submit a full application to the program. The application process entails a number of processes with stringent time constraints, therefore it is imperative to be organized and focused while applying.
Candidates must choose a reputable third-party financial review agency for their online application and pay a non-refundable processing fee of $2,500 CAD within 20 calendar days after receiving the invitation.
Within 90 calendar days of receiving the invitation, the whole electronic application—along with any necessary supporting papers and the Business Establishment Plan—must be submitted. The BEP must have the following information to support the EOI’s information:
- if relevant (for investment amount and sector), specifics on how the candidate will launch a business in accordance with the points allocated in the points grid;
- evidence that you possess at least one third (33.3%) of the equity in a Saskatchewan company, unless your total investment is $1 million or more;
- the dedication to actively managing the day-to-day activities of the firm and its direction;
- Plans for the creation of two jobs in Saskatchewan for Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are not connected to the candidate are required when starting a new firm in Regina or Saskatoon.
From the time they get the invitation, candidates have 180 calendar days to submit the third-party verification report.
A Business Performance Agreement (BPA) will be provided to successful applicants, who must examine and sign it. Based on the information provided in the BEP, this is a legally binding agreement with the government of Saskatchewan that describes the company sector, investments, and any other pertinent information. Within 30 days of receipt, it must be signed and submitted to the SINP.
After receiving a SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter, a candidate must submit an application for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP). The applicant can create or buy the planned business in Saskatchewan after they get the TWP. In addition, the applicant must appear in person at a Saskatchewan arrival meeting within 18 months of obtaining the SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter; otherwise, the application would be rejected.
He or she can then seek for provincial nomination after operating the business and abiding by the BPA for six months. The candidate must maintain their legal status in Canada throughout this time; the SINP advises that candidates have at least six months left on their TWP at the time they submit their nomination application. Following nomination, the candidate may submit an application to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status.
Live Tracker PNP
In the upcoming months, the Entrepreneur category might experience additional adjustments, and more Selections might be revealed. Use the unique Moving2Canada PNP Live Tracker to remain up to know on all the most recent developments in this and other areas.
