Saskatchewan Business PNP

Saskatchewan is a Canadian province that borders the United States. It is the fifth-largest province in Canada and is known for its population density and stunning natural beauty. There are several business immigration pathways in Saskatchewan. These pathways target foreign nationals who are seeking to make significant investments in the province, which will develop it and create new businesses in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Business PNP

Saskatchewan’s business immigration includes the following three streams:

  1. Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category.
  2. Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner or Manager Category.
  3. Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) – International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.

Successful applicants in these streams will receive a provincial nomination from the province of Saskatchewan, making them eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Saskatchewan Business Immigration Categories

In the following, we will discuss each category in detail.

1. Entrepreneur Category

This category is for individuals who are hoping to own and operate a business in Saskatchewan. Applicants must take an active management role in the business. Please note that applications under this category are based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. The three steps leading to nomination are as follows. First, candidates need to submit an (EOI) to the Saskatchewan INP indicating that they are interested in owning or managing a business in the province. Second, if candidates are successful, based on the program’s list of requirements, they will receive an invitation to apply. The third step is very simple – provincial nomination.

Program Requirements

The program requirements are as follows:

  • Experience: At least 3 years of entrepreneurial experience within the past 10 years.
  • Investment: CAD 300,000 (Regina/Saskatoon) or CAD 200,000 (other Saskatchewan communities).
  • Business Ownership: You must own at least one-third of the equity in the business unless the total investment exceeds CAD 1,000,000.
  • Job Creation:
    • For Regina/Saskatoon businesses: Create or maintain at least two jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
    • For purchased businesses: Maintain current headcount.
  • Residency: Must live in Saskatchewan with your family.
  • Agreement: Sign a Business Performance Agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP).
    • The business must meet SINP criteria.

Application Procedure

The application process works as follows:

  1. The Entrepreneur category operates on an Initial Evaluation (EOI) system where candidates who meet the minimum program requirements can create a profile and submit an EOI through the online registration portal.
  2. Once the profile is submitted, candidates will be filtered using the province’s Entrepreneur Ranking System and the highest-ranked candidates will be invited to formally apply to the program.
  3. Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply have 20 business days to pay the CAD 2,500 application processing fee and select a recognized third-party financial review service that will assess their net worth and proposed investment amount. A complete application must be submitted within 90 days of receiving an invitation to apply. Note that if the application is complete, the next stage of the application requires the applicant to attend an interview with the SINP provincial interviewers. This interview can be conducted in person or online via video conference.
  4. If the application is approved, the applicant will be required to sign a Business Performance Agreement with Saskatchewan. Once the Performance Agreement is signed, the SINP will issue a Work Permit Support Letter, allowing the applicant to apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit.
  5. Once in Canada, you must establish your business, and after successfully operating your business for at least 6 months and meeting the conditions of your Business Performance Agreement, applicants can submit a formal application to the SINP for a provincial nomination. If the applicant’s application is approved by the SINP, they will receive a formal provincial nomination. With a provincial nomination in hand, the applicant may apply for permanent residence in Canada.
  6. Applicants to this program must complete and submit a paper application for permanent residence and mail it to the appropriate application center. Paper PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

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2. Farm Owner or Manager Category

This category is for candidates who wish to immigrate to Saskatchewan to purchase and manage a farm in the province. If candidates are under 40 years of age, they may be considered for nomination under the Young Farmer Category. Eligibility for this program is based on available equity, a redeemable cash deposit, a mandatory visit to Saskatchewan, knowledge and experience in operating a farm, and a viable proposal for a commercial farming opportunity.

Program Requirements

To qualify for this pathway, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Experience: Demonstrate knowledge and experience in farm operations.
  • Proposal: Provide a viable plan for a commercial farming opportunity in Saskatchewan.
    • Young Farmer Category (Additional Requirements)
  • Farm Experience: At least 3 years of farm ownership, management, or practical farming.
  • Supplemental Income: Demonstrate the ability to supplement farm income through the marketable skills of a spouse/law partner (based on education and experience).

Application Procedure

Before applying to the SINP, an applicant must complete an exploratory visit to Saskatchewan. This visit must be a minimum of 5 business days. During the visit, the applicant must meet with a SINP representative to discuss the proposed farm operation. Additionally, the applicant must conduct thorough research with business professionals working in sectors relevant to their proposed farm.

  • Next, the applicant must submit a complete application to the SINP. This application must include documentation demonstrating experience owning and/or operating a farm and a plan to establish a viable farm in Saskatchewan.
  • As part of the application, the applicant must demonstrate that they meet the minimum net worth requirements for the program, which will be verified by an independent third party.
  • Applications can be submitted in hard copy to SINP offices, either in person or by courier. Once the application is submitted, the province will begin a comprehensive assessment.
  • If the application passes the initial pre-screening assessment, the applicant will be required to pay an application fee of CAD 2,500.
  • During the assessment, the province may request an interview with the applicant. If the application is approved, the applicant will be contacted by the SINP.
  • Successful applicants must sign a Business Performance Agreement outlining their commitment to establish a farm in Saskatchewan.
  • In addition, applicants will be required to deposit a CAD 75,000 deposit, which will be refunded once the applicant has met the terms of their Business Performance Agreement.
  • If the application is successful, the applicant will receive an official provincial nomination from the province.
  • After receiving this nomination, the applicant may apply for permanent residence in Canada. The applicant may also request a work permit support letter from the SINP to enable them to apply for a work permit.
  • Applicants to this program must complete and submit a paper application for permanent residence and mail it to the appropriate application center. Paper PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

3. International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

This program is for international students who have graduated from an eligible college or university in Saskatchewan and want to start and operate a business in the province. To qualify for permanent residence, you must have operated your business in Saskatchewan for at least one year.

  • Application fee: Free
  • Processing time: 14 weeks

Who can apply?

To be eligible, you must:

  1. Be at least 21 years old.
  2. Have completed a full-time degree or diploma (at least two years) from an accredited school in Saskatchewan.
  3. Have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) valid for at least two additional years.
  4. Have lived in Saskatchewan while studying.
  5. Have English or French language skills at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher.

Application Procedure

The process consists of four steps:

  1. Expression of Interest (EOI):
    • Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and submit it to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
    • You will receive a score, and those with the highest scores will be invited to apply.
  2. Application:
    • If invited, apply through the SINP online system.
    • Attach a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that explains your business idea.
  3. Agreement:
    • If approved, sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). This agreement is based on the Business Establishment Plan you submitted.
  4. Start your business:
    • Operate your business as described in the BPA.
    • Fulfill all requirements before your PGWP expires.
  5. Final step:
    • After you have met the BPA requirements, apply for a provincial nomination. Once you have received a nomination, you can apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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