On this page, you will find:
- Saskatchewan’s new allocation of 750 immigration nominations for graduates
- Who qualifies as a Saskatchewan graduate
- The priority sectors eligible for the reserved nominations
- Why the employer’s industry matters more than your field of study
- Work permit and Saskatchewan work experience requirements
- How graduates without a post-graduation work permit may still qualify
- Frequently asked questions
Saskatchewan has reserved at least 750 provincial immigration nominations in 2026 for graduates of Saskatchewan designated learning institutions who secure eligible job offers in key sectors of the provincial economy.
The change appears in updated Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) eligibility guidance and provides a significant opportunity for international graduates seeking permanent residence.
However, the policy also contains an important detail that many graduates could overlook. Eligibility depends primarily on the sector in which the employer operates, not on the subject the applicant studied.
A graduate with a business degree, for example, could qualify while working for a mining or healthcare employer. Meanwhile, a graduate with an engineering qualification may not qualify if the employer operates outside Saskatchewan’s designated priority sectors.
Which sectors qualify?
The 750 reserved nominations apply to graduates who receive permanent, full-time job offers from employers operating in Saskatchewan’s priority sectors.
Those sectors are:
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Skilled trades
- Energy
- Mining and minerals
- Manufacturing
- Technology
The employer must operate within one of these sectors. The graduate’s qualification does not have to match the employer’s industry.
This represents an important shift in focus towards addressing labour shortages in sectors that Saskatchewan considers essential to economic growth.
Who counts as a Saskatchewan graduate?
To qualify under the Student Category, applicants must have completed an eligible post-secondary education program at a Saskatchewan designated learning institution.
Applicants generally need to have completed either:
- A certificate, diploma or degree lasting at least one academic year, or
- A graduate or postgraduate program at an eligible Saskatchewan institution.
Graduates must also meet the other Student Category requirements, including work experience and a qualifying job offer.
Is a post-graduation work permit required?
In most cases, graduates will need a valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP) or another valid work permit that authorizes them to work for the Saskatchewan employer.
The Student Category requires applicants to be legally authorized to work in Canada when they submit their application.
Graduates should ensure they maintain valid immigration status throughout the nomination process.
What is the six-month Saskatchewan work requirement?
Most graduates applying through the Student Category must complete at least six months, or 780 hours, of paid work experience in Saskatchewan before applying.
The work experience can include employment gained:
- On a post-graduation work permit
- On a valid co-op work permit where eligible
- Under another work authorization that meets SINP requirements
The work must normally relate to the qualifying Saskatchewan employer offering the permanent full-time position.
This requirement demonstrates that graduates have already established themselves in Saskatchewan’s labour market before seeking permanent residence.
Can graduates qualify without a PGWP?
Yes, in some circumstances.
Graduates who do not hold a post-graduation work permit may still qualify if they possess another valid work permit that allows them to work legally for the Saskatchewan employer and they meet all Student Category eligibility requirements.
The key requirement is not the type of work permit but having legal authorization to work and satisfying the program’s employment and work experience conditions.
Graduates approaching the expiry of their study permit should carefully plan their transition to another valid work permit before beginning permanent employment.
Why the employer’s sector matters most
The updated guidance signals that Saskatchewan is directing its limited nomination allocation towards employers facing the greatest labour shortages.
Rather than rewarding graduates solely based on their educational background, the province is prioritizing employment that supports strategic industries.
This means applicants should pay close attention to the nature of the employer’s business when evaluating job opportunities.
Two graduates with identical qualifications could receive different outcomes if one works for a technology company while the other works for an employer outside the province’s designated priority sectors.
For employers, the reserved allocation provides another incentive to recruit graduates from Saskatchewan institutions as part of their long-term workforce planning.
Competition is likely to remain strong
Although Saskatchewan has reserved at least 750 nominations for local graduates, demand is expected to remain high.
Recent SINP intake windows have filled rapidly, demonstrating continued interest in Saskatchewan’s immigration pathways.
Graduates who wish to benefit from the reserved nominations should ensure they understand the Student Category requirements, secure eligible employment in a priority sector and maintain valid work authorization before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Saskatchewan’s 750 reserved immigration nominations?
The reserved nominations are intended for graduates of Saskatchewan designated learning institutions who obtain permanent, full-time job offers from employers operating in one of the province’s priority sectors and who meet all Student Category eligibility requirements, including work experience and legal work authorization.
Does my university program have to match my employer’s industry?
No. Saskatchewan’s updated guidance focuses on the employer’s sector rather than the graduate’s field of study. A graduate may qualify even if their academic qualification differs from the employer’s industry, provided all other SINP requirements are met.
Do I need a post-graduation work permit to apply?
Many applicants will qualify using a post-graduation work permit, but it is not always mandatory. Applicants must hold valid authorization to work in Canada and satisfy all Student Category requirements. Another eligible work permit may also meet the program’s requirements.
How much Saskatchewan work experience is required?
Most applicants under the Student Category must complete at least six months, or 780 hours, of paid work experience in Saskatchewan before applying. The employment must meet the SINP’s eligibility criteria and usually forms part of the pathway to a permanent full-time job offer.
Which industries qualify under Saskatchewan’s priority sectors?
The reserved nominations apply to employers operating in agriculture, healthcare, skilled trades, energy, mining and minerals, manufacturing and technology. Graduates should verify that their employer falls within one of these sectors before relying on the reserved nomination allocation.