For foreign nationals interested in the Permanent resident streams in Saskatchewan, recent changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) present a significant update. As of February 18, 2025, SINP has announced a temporary pause on all new Job Approval Forms (JAFs), directly impacting several job offer-based immigration streams.

Understanding the Pause: What Is Happening?

The SINP has temporarily paused the acceptance of new Job Approval Forms (JAFs)—a crucial first step for employers wanting to hire foreign workers through the province’s job offer-based immigration streams.

Key points about the pause:

• • Effective Date: February 18, 2025
  • Duration: Expected to last “several weeks” (specific end date not announced)
  • Pending Applications: JAFs submitted before February 18, 2025 will still be processed

This pause provides SINP with time to “implement necessary program changes” in response to federal mandates.

Why the Pause?

The primary driver behind this decision is the federal government’s 50% reduction in SINP nomination allocations for 2025. This cut is part of the broader changes outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027, which has scaled back overall Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets. With fewer nominations to grant, Saskatchewan is adjusting its processes to align with these federal directives.

What Is a Job Approval Form (JAF) and Why Is It Important?

For many foreign workers, Saskatchewan offers a pathway to permanent residency through a provincial nomination. A key part of this process is the Job Approval Form (JAF):

• • Employers submit a JAF through the OASIS online portal to get pre-approval to hire a foreign worker.
  • If approved, the employer receives a Job Approval Letter (JAL)—a critical document that allows the foreign worker to apply for provincial nomination.

With the current pause, no new JAFs can be submitted, effectively freezing the issuance of new JALs. This creates a direct bottleneck for foreign nationals relying on job offers to proceed with their SINP applications.

Which Immigration Streams Are Affected?

The pause impacts all SINP job offer-based streams that require a Job Approval Letter (JAL), including:

International Skilled Worker Category

• • • • Agriculture Talent Pathway
      • Health Talent Pathway
      • Employment Offer
      • Tech Talent Pathway

Saskatchewan Work Experience Category

• • • • Skilled Worker with Existing Work Permit
      • Agriculture Talent Pathway
      • Tech Talent Pathway
      • Health Talent Pathway
      • Students

Employers and foreign nationals in these streams will need to wait until the pause is lifted or consider alternative pathways.

What Are the Alternatives for Immigrating to Saskatchewan?

If your plans to immigrate to Saskatchewan have been disrupted by the JAF pause, there are still options that do not require a job offer.

1. International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand

This stream targets foreign nationals with experience in high-demand occupations in Saskatchewan.

• • No job offer required
  • Must have at least one year of full-time experience in a relevant occupation
  • Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and wait to be selected

2. Express Entry

The federal Express Entry system remains a viable option for many skilled workers:

• • Create an online profile and enter the candidate pool
  • Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
  • CRS points are awarded based on age, education, language proficiency, and work experience

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from any province automatically gain an additional 600 CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

3. Rural Community Immigration Pilot

For candidates interested in smaller communities, the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot offers another route.

• • Saskatchewan’s Moose Jaw is one of the 14 participating communities
  • A job offer from a designated employer in Moose Jaw is required
  • The program focuses on filling labor shortages in rural areas

While the Moose Jaw-specific website is still pending launch, this program could open doors for eligible candidates in the near future.

What Should Employers and Foreign Workers Do Now?

1. For Employers:
   • • Hold off on new JAF submissions until the pause is lifted.
     • Explore other PNP streams that may align with business needs.
       
       
2. For Foreign Workers:
   • • Assess eligibility for non-job-offer-based streams like Occupation In-Demand or Express Entry.
     • Stay updated on the resumption of JAF submissions through the SINP website.
     • Consider other provinces or immigration pilots like the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.

While the temporary pause on Job Approval Forms in Saskatchewan may feel like a setback, it is essential to view it as a strategic adjustment aligned with federal immigration goals. The key for both employers and foreign workers is to remain informed, flexible, and proactive in exploring alternative immigration pathways. As Saskatchewan prepares to implement program changes, it is worth monitoring updates closely to seize new opportunities as they arise. Whether through SINP’s non-job-offer streams, Express Entry, or community-specific pilots, the path to Canadian permanent residency remains open—though it may require a slight detour.