Saskatchewan Reveals Major SINP Changes For 2026

Saskatchewan has confirmed one of the most comprehensive redesigns of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) in its history, introducing sector caps, priority allocations, revised work permit rules, and tighter student eligibility for 2026.

The changes reflect a significantly constrained federal nomination allocation, growing pressure to improve long-term retention, and a clear policy shift away from volume-driven immigration toward targeted labour market outcomes.

On This Page You Will Find

• Saskatchewan’s 2026 SINP nomination allocation explained
• Detailed breakdown of priority and capped sectors
• Why accommodation, retail and trucking face limits
• New intake windows and work permit timing rules
• Major eligibility changes for workers and international students
• What the reforms mean for employers and applicants

Saskatchewan’s 2026 SINP Allocation In Context

Saskatchewan’s initial SINP nomination allocation for 2026 is 4,761. This figure is notably lower than historical demand and reflects tighter federal controls across all Provincial Nominee Programs.

Unlike 2025, Saskatchewan is no longer required to reserve a specific share of nominations for temporary residents. This gives the province greater discretion to target economic priorities but also forces difficult trade-offs between sectors.

The province has made clear that additional nominations may be released later in 2026, but only at the discretion of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Employers and applicants should therefore plan on the assumption that competition will remain intense throughout the year.

Chart 1: SINP Nomination Allocation – 2026

Within the priority sector allocation, Saskatchewan has carved out 750 reserved spaces for provincial post-secondary graduates working in priority industries, reinforcing a strong retention-focused approach.

Priority Sectors Drive The 2026 SINP Strategy

For 2026, Saskatchewan is explicitly aligning the SINP with its Labour Market Strategy. Priority sectors are those considered essential to long-term economic growth and community stability:

• Healthcare
• Agriculture
• Skilled trades
• Energy
• Mining, including critical minerals
• Manufacturing
• Technology

Applicants working in these sectors enjoy the most flexible access to the SINP. They may apply at any time during the year, may apply from overseas, and are exempt from work permit expiry timing rules.

Importantly, Saskatchewan has signalled that if demand in priority sectors is strong, these sectors may receive more than the minimum 50 per cent allocation. Any increase would come at the expense of non-priority sectors.

A formal mid-year assessment will determine whether the province is on track to meet its priority sector targets.

Sector Caps Mark A Clear Policy Shift

One of the most consequential changes for 2026 is the introduction of hard caps on three sectors that have historically dominated SINP nominations:

• Accommodation and food services
• Retail trade
• Trucking

Saskatchewan has stated that these sectors previously consumed a disproportionate share of nominations, limiting access for sectors deemed more critical to long-term economic resilience.

Chart 2: Capped Sector Allocations – 2026

The caps are designed to prevent any single industry from exhausting Saskatchewan’s limited nomination space early in the year. Unused allocations may be redistributed between capped sectors, but not expanded beyond the overall cap.

What Happens To 2025 Job Approval Letters?

Unused Job Approval Letters from 2025 for employers in capped sectors will be closed before any 2026 intake begins. This is a clean-slate approach intended to prevent backlog spillover.

Employers whose letters are closed may reapply during 2026 intake windows if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. All candidate applications already submitted will still be processed.

Once a capped sector reaches its annual limit, employers in that sector may be blocked from submitting further applications for the remainder of the year, subject to redistribution decisions after each intake.

NAICS Codes And Compliance Enforcement

The SINP will determine whether a business is affected by caps primarily through the NAICS code listed on its Certificate of Registration. The relevant classifications include NAICS 72, 44, 45, 48 and 49.

If inconsistencies arise, Saskatchewan’s Immigration Services Branch will work with the Program Compliance Branch to verify the correct classification.

The province has issued a clear warning that changing or misrepresenting a NAICS code to bypass caps constitutes a program integrity violation and may jeopardise future participation in the SINP.

Intake Windows And Application Timing Rules

For capped sectors, Saskatchewan will operate six scheduled intake windows in 2026, currently planned for:

• January
• March
• May
• July
• September
• November

Each window may remain open for several days to allow employers and workers to coordinate submissions.

Applicants in capped sectors may only apply during the final six months of their work permit validity. This rule prioritises workers at immediate risk of losing status and reduces speculative applications.

Priority and non-capped sectors will retain continuous, year-round intake with no work permit timing restrictions.

Removal Of Eligibility For Some Open Work Permits

Saskatchewan is tightening eligibility for certain open work permit holders, including some spousal open work permits. The province cites higher risks of exploitation and weaker retention outcomes as key drivers of this decision.

However, spousal work permit holders may still qualify under pathways where work permits are not part of the eligibility criteria, including:

• Health Talent Pathway
• Agriculture Talent Pathway
• Tech Talent Pathway
• International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer

Additional documentation may be required to confirm Saskatchewan residency history for applicants and immediate family members.

Significant Changes For International Students

The Student category has been narrowed substantially. Eligibility is now limited to graduates of Saskatchewan Designated Learning Institutions who:

• Resided in Saskatchewan during their studies
• Gained work experience related to their field of education while in the province

Post-Graduation Work Permit holders may now only apply through the Student category or specific talent pathways aligned with labour market priorities.

Exemptions for restricted occupations have been removed, further tightening access.

A total of 750 nomination spaces are reserved for Saskatchewan graduates employed in priority sectors. Graduates in non-priority sectors remain eligible but do not benefit from these reserved spots.

Graduates who studied outside Saskatchewan but later worked in the province are no longer eligible under Saskatchewan Experience pathways. Their remaining options are limited to employment-offer-based and talent-specific streams.

What The 2026 SINP Changes Signal

Taken together, Saskatchewan’s 2026 SINP reforms mark a decisive shift toward:

• Fewer nominations with higher targeting
• Stronger alignment with long-term labour shortages
• Reduced reliance on low-retention sectors
• Increased scrutiny of employer and applicant eligibility

For employers, early planning and precise timing will be essential. For workers and students, sector choice and pathway selection will matter more than ever.

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