Saskatchewan issues new invitations to Express Entry, In-Demand Occupation candidates

FILE: Albert Memorial Bridge in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (Photo: cmh2315fl/Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Saskatchewan has issued 596 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence in its first Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand draws of 2019.

A total of 362 invitations went to candidates in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)’s Express Entry sub-category, which is linked to the federal Express Entry system and allows Saskatchewan to nominate eligible candidates for permanent residence.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry ranking score, which effectively assures an invitation from the Government of Canada to apply for permanent residence.

Express Entry candidates must have work experience in a high-skilled occupation found on Saskatchewan’s In-Demand Occupations List, among other eligibility criteria.

Saskatchewan also issued 234 invitations to Occupation In-Demand candidates. This sub-category is not linked to the federal Express Entry system and is open to foreign workers with work experience in one of Saskatchewan’s in-demand occupations, among other criteria.

A job offer from a Saskatchewan employer is not required in order to be eligible for either the Express Entry or In-Demand Occupation sub-category.

The selection process for both the Express Entry and In-Demand Occupation operates on an Expression of Interest(EOI) basis.

Immigration candidates who would like to be considered for immigration through either sub-category must first create an EOI profile and provide the requested information on their education, work experience, proficiency in English or French and other factors.

Profiles are given a score based on the answers provided and those with 60 points or more are entered into the pool of eligible candidates for either the Express Entry or Occupation In-Demand sub-category.

The highest-ranked are then drawn from the pool of candidates through regular draws.

The lowest score drawn in the January 16 Express Entry draw was 63 and the lowest-ranked Occupation In-Demand candidate had a score of 66.