New draws through Saskatchewan’s Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand immigration sub-categories on November 1 resulted in 926 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
The combined invitations are the most issued yet in a selection round through Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which was introduced in July to manage the pool of candidates for the Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand sub-categories.
The invitations included a record high 671 to Occupation In-Demand candidates, of whom the lowest-ranked had a score 61 points.
This was the highest number of invitations and the lowest score yet selected for In-Demand Occupation candidates in the four draws that have been held since the sub-category moved to an EOI system.
Express Entry candidates invited in this latest draw totaled 255 and the lowest-ranked candidate invited had a score of 60, which ties the lowest score selected in the four Express Entry EOI draws that have been held to date.
The Express Entry sub-category is linked to the federal Express Entry system, which manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three main economic immigration categories — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.
Express Entry candidates must score at least 60 on Saskatchewan’s point assessment grid and have work experience in a high-skilled occupation found on the province’s In-Demand Occupations List, among other criteria. A job offer in Saskatchewan is not required.
Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which determines their position in the Express Entry pool.
The Occupation In-Demand sub-category is for eligible candidates outside the Express Entry system who score at least 60 points on Saskatchewan’s point assessment grid and have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years one of the province’s in-demand occupations, among other criteria.
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How the EOI system works
In order to be considered for immigration to Saskatchewan through either the Occupation In-Demand or Express Entry sub-category, the first step is to create an EOI profile.
An EOI profile requires potential candidates to provide details about their education, work experience, language abilities and other factors in order to establish their eligibility. Eligible candidates are then issued a ranking score based on Saskatchewan’s points assessment grid.
The highest-ranked candidates in both sub-categories are invited to apply for a provincial nomination through regular draws from the EOI pool.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) says a connection to the province can prove decisive in cases where too many candidates have the same score. A connection to the province includes a close family relative or past work or education in Saskatchewan.
Candidates who receive an invitation to apply have 60 days to submit their application and all required documents.