SINP

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). Saskatchewan is home to one of the country’s most rapidly growing economies and populations, and even largely to the arrival of immigrants from around the world.

The SINP is Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program- through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Saskatchewan Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes

The Entrepreneur Category Process

Basically, There Are Three Steps To The Nomination Process:

• Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP
• EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application
  • Candidates’ EOIs are selected based on their points score with those with the highest points selected during each draw. The number selected is dependent on program requirements (e.g. application inventory).
  • After candidates are invited to apply, applications are processed in the order that they are received.
• Nomination

           The SINP does not provide priority processing or preferential treatment for any applications, and all applicants must meet all program requirements.

The Expression of Interest (EOI)

• An EOI is a pre-application process which allows candidates to fill in an online form to indicate their interest in applying to the SINP and demonstrate their qualifications.
• The information requested is based on SINP criteria and is used to assess eligibility, and determine whether the submission is entered into the International Skilled Worker EOI system.
• If you successfully create and submit an EOI, you will be entered into the EOI pool of eligible candidates.
• Even your profile will be valid for one year from the day you submit it. Candidates can only have one active EOI profile in the system at any time.
• And you will be ranked based on the information you provide in your profile. The highest-ranking candidates will regularly be invited to submit a complete application to the SINP.
• And the Invitations to Apply are done through Expression of Interest Draws.
• Even the SINP uses an electronic system for both the submission of EOIs and applications for nomination and will communicate with you via email.
• Make sure that you provide a valid email address.
• After this, If you are invited to submit an application, you can use the same log-in information you created for your EOI to complete your application for nomination. You must make sure that the information you provide in your EOI is current and accurate at all times.
• In case, if your situation changes, you must update your profile. If we find that you provided false information or left out important details, your application will be refused.

Before You Submit Your EOI

Note The Following Important Information, Before You Submit Your EOI:

• To submit an EOI to the SINP, you must:
  • Meet the minimum entry criteria; and
  • Complete the Points Assessment Grid in order to be scored once your EOI is in the pool of candidates.
• To meet the minimum entry criteria you must:
  • Have $500,000 (CAD) at the minimum in Net Business and Personal Assets;
  • Have a minimum of three years of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience gained in the past ten years;
  • Intend to invest a minimum of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities.
• We’ll assess the information you provide in your EOI against the points grid to rank your EOI in the pool of candidates. Candidates are then selected from the EOI system based on their score, with top scoring EOIs being prioritized for selection. Selected candidates are invited to apply to the SINP.
• If you are invited to apply you must submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that corresponds to the information in your EOI. Your BEP must include:
  • Your plan to establish a business that aligns with the points assigned in the Entrepreneur Category Points Grid, if applicable (for investment amount and sector);
  • Your ownership of at least one third (33 1/3 per cent) of the equity of business in Saskatchewan, unless your total investment is $1 million CAD or higher;
  • Your commitment to providing active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business;
  • The creation of two employment opportunities in Saskatchewan for Canadians or permanent residents who are not related to you.
  • This only applies if you’re establishing a new business in Regina or Saskatoon.

Please note that the SINP reserves the right to have Business Establishment Plans assessed by professional third parties identified by the Government of Saskatchewan. The assessment conducted by Third Parties will focus on the preparation and due diligence conducted by the applicant in preparing their proposed business plan.

Who is not eligible to apply under the Entrepreneur Category?

The Following Are Not Eligible To Apply To The Entrepreneur Category:

• Refugee claimants in Canada who are claiming refugee status from the Government of Canada.
• People living illegally in their country of residence or Canada.
• Persons who have had a removal order issued against them by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Canada Border Services Agency.
• People who are prohibited from entering Canada.

You May Not Be Eligible For Immigration To Canada If Any Of The Following Situations Is True:

• You or any dependent family member (accompanying or not) has a serious medical condition.
• You or any dependent family member over the age of 18 (accompanying or not) has a criminal record.
• You have unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any member of your family.
• You have intentionally misrepresented yourself in the application.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission to the SINP

Please Follow These Steps To Submit Your EOI To The Program:

• Only those who meet the minimum eligibility criteria can submit an EOI.
• If you are eligible to apply under the Entrepreneur category review the Points Grid.
• Complete your EOI online. Instructions are provided during the online application. The system will calculate your score based upon the information you enter and your EOI will be placed in a pool for potential selection. Only EOIs with all sections completed can be submitted.
  • If selected, your EOI will form part of your application. You must be sure your EOI is up to date at the time of submission, and that all answers are accurate and truthful. If your EOI is not up to date and it’s found that you or any person associated with your application omitted relevant information or provided misleading or fraudulent information at the time of assessment, your application will be rejected and you’ll be unable to apply to the SINP for a period of two years.
  • Be sure you understand the questions before you provide an answer. If you’re unsure, use the help icons or review this page again.
  • There’s no fee for submitting an EOI.
  • You won’t need to attach any documents to your EOI. However, you will be required to attach documents, including translations if necessary, if you’re invited by the SINP to submit an electronic application.
• Your EOI is ranked based upon your points assessment score, after which it’s placed in an EOI pool.
  • EOI’s can remain in the pool for 12 months from the date of receipt.
  • If your EOI is not selected during this time it will be removed from the pool and you will be able to reapply if you want to.
  • If you’re able to acquire additional points after starting your EOI, you can update your pending EOI with current information before it’s submitted.
  • Once your EOI has been submitted you’ll not be able to update it. If your EOI is selected it will be removed from the pool and you’ll no longer be able to update it. Points for age are awarded based on your age on the date you submit your EOI.

Your SINP Application Assessment

• Once your application Processing Fee, Third Party Verification Report, and Electronic Application including all Supporting Documentation are received, we’ll review your application and verify the information.
• Please note that only complete applications will be accepted.
  • Incomplete applications will be closed and all submitted information and supporting documents removed from the system.
  • If your application has been closed and you wish to reapply, you must submit a new EOI, under the relevant criteria in place at the time of submission.
  • Your application will be assessed against the Entrepreneur Eligibility Criteria and your EOI Points Assessment will be verified.
    • A Business Immigration Officer may contact you for more information or call you for an in-person interview.
  • If, upon review of your application, you don’t meet the program’s Eligibility Criteria your application will be ineligible.
    • If your application is found ineligible, all submitted information and supporting documents will be removed from the system. You may choose to submit a new EOI once you meet program criteria.
  • If the SINP determines that your score on the Points Assessment Grid differs from the points you have claimed and that this was due to intentional misrepresentation, or that you or any person associated with your application omitted relevant information or provided misleading information:
    • Your application will be rejected; and,
    • You will not be permitted to submit an EOI or application to the SINP for a period of two years.
  • If you appear to meet the Entrepreneur Eligibility Criteria you’ll be contacted to participate in a final interview. This could be in-person or through a web-based video conferencing service. Please note that applicants are responsible for ensuring they have access to the web-based video conferencing service, including all equipment and software required.
  • Upon completion of your final interview, you’ll be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for your review and signature.
    • Your BPA is your legal agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.
    • It will state the amount you’ll invest in your business, and the business sector you will operate your business under. The BPA will also list any other information relevant to your application including, but not limited to job creation, business succession and business location. This is based upon the information you supplied in your Business Establishment Plan.
    • You must scan and attach you’re signed and dated BPA to the SINP within 30 days.
    • Once we receive your signed and dated BPA, we’ll issue a SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter that includes instructions on how to apply to IRCC for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP), along with a Temporary Work Permit Support Letter. The letter is issued to facilitate your application to IRCC for a TWP. A TWP allows you to settle and operate your business in Saskatchewan.
    • You must apply to IRCC for your TWP within three months of the date on the SINP Approval letter.
    • If IRCC refuses your TWP application, your SINP application will be ineligible.

Who to include in Your Application

You must list all dependents on your application to the SINP Entrepreneur Category even if they’re not coming to Canada with you. As well, you’ll have to declare any new dependents to us and IRCC before visas are issued.

IRCC may change the definition of dependents or the policies regarding dependents at any time. You can review IRCC’s policies and procedures on the IRCC website.

Presently, accompanying dependents include your:

• Spouse (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Spouse).
• Common-law partner (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Common-law partner).
• Dependent children (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Dependent children).
  • Dependent family members that are not included in your application can’t be nominated for permanent residence as part of your SINP application later.
  • If you want your dependent family members to join you in Canada later, you’ll need to make a separate application to the Government of Canada’s Family Sponsorship program, or another immigration category. The application will have to be approved before your dependent family members will be allowed to join you.

Please note: If you’re the principal applicant, your parents, brothers and sisters may not be included in the SINP application.

Net Worth Evaluation – Third-Party Financial Service Providers

he SINP uses two professional third-party financial service providers to assess the net worth and legal accumulation of net worth of applicants to this category.

KPMG	MNP Ltd.
333 Bay Street, Suite 4600 Toronto Ontario, M5H 2S5 Phone: 416-777-3887 Email: SINPverification@kpmg.ca	Regina Saskatchewan, S4P 0J3 Phone: 306-790-7900 Email: mnp.sinp@mnp.ca

When you receive an Invitation to Submit an Application (ISA), you’ll find a SINP file number included.

• Submit all relevant documents listed on the Third Party Document Checklist, with your file number to one of the third-party providers listed above. Your information won’t be reviewed without this file number.
• Make sure all your information (financial statements, property evaluations, bank account information, etc.) are up-to-date and correct. This will help speed up the evaluation process.
• Once your assessment is complete, you’ll receive an evaluation report from the service provider.
• To complete your application, submit the evaluation report and updated information to the SINP. Submit your application for nomination to the SINP and include your evaluation report and any updated information.
• Be sure to submit your application within 90 days of receiving your evaluation report.

Net Worth Evaluation – Third-Party Financial Service Providers

• You will need to obtain a TWP to operate your business in Saskatchewan.
• We require you to submit your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter along with your application for a TWP to the federal government within three months after you get the letter, to facilitate your arrival in Saskatchewan within 12 months of receiving your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter.
• To apply for a TWP, you need to follow the instructions on IRCC’s website. You must first register as an employer in IRCC’s Employer Portal as the employer of your business (as a self-employed person). You will need to pay an employer compliance fee of $230 but you are exempt from the LMIA fee. If you do not have a Canada Revenue Agency number, you can contact the Employer Portal mailbox CIC.EmployerPortal-Portaildelemployeur.CIC@cic.gc.ca for further assistance.
• Then you will need to apply for a TWP by going to the Employer Portal Welcome page, and going to the “What would you like to do today?” section. Select “Access the offer of employment queue”.
• You will then enter your own personal information in the section for “Your online offer of employment” and submit your work permit application to IRCC – showing that you have an “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of Intended Work in Canada” section. The Entrepreneurs’ LMIA Exemption code is C11. Please refer to the Employer Portal user guide if you have questions.
• Once you have a TWP, you can relocate to Saskatchewan and establish your business.
• Please see the following links for additional information from IRCC on how to apply for a TWP: Updated Instructions for Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Candidates and Significant Benefit – Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Candidates (R205(a) – C11)

Arriving in Saskatchewan and Establishing Your Business

• All approved applicants that don’t attend an arrival meeting in Saskatchewan within 18 months of the date on the SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter will be deemed to have failed to fulfil BPA terms, and their applications will be closed.
• After you arrive in Saskatchewan you’ll have to:
  • Meet with a business service provider that we designate within 90 calendar days of arriving in Canada. The contact details will be sent to you with your BPA. The business service provider is available to answer your questions related to fulfilling the terms of the BPA. They can also refer you to other service providers for relevant information and guidance related to the establishment of your business;
  • Submit your Arrival Report Form and the list of documents you should provide with it; and
  • No later than 12 months after the Landing Date, submit your Business Establishment Progress Report to the SINP Entrepreneur category. This report outlines your business establishment activities to date.
• Upon arrival in Saskatchewan, you’re to:
  • Begin to establish or purchase your business as per the requirements of your BPA. We recommend you start operating your business within six months of arriving in the province. To be eligible for nomination, you must operate your business for a minimum of six months.
• You’re encouraged to use the settlement services available in Saskatchewan. You can access government-funded settlement services through Regional Newcomer Gateways.
  • These organizations are welcoming centres for newcomers to Saskatchewan. They provide language assessment services, career and employment services (for your accompanying family members), and guidance and advice from a Settlement Coordinator. The Regional Newcomer Gateways can also connect you to the community and ethnocultural groups.

BPA Change Requests

• Applicants applying to change their BPA should have completed the mandatory arrival meeting within 90 calendar days of arriving in Canada, and, if required, should also have submitted the mid-term Business Establishment Activity Report. Applicants that haven’t fulfilled these obligations won’t be eligible to request a BPA change.
• BPA change requests will only be considered when the proposed new venture has been well researched and detailed documentation is provided.
• You’ll have to show genuine attempts to purchase or establish the business in line with your original BPA. You must also provide detailed documentation to show that you’ve attempted to fulfil your original BPA, or clearly outline why the business is no longer possible in your intended location.
• You’ll have to explain what obstacles you’ve encountered and what you’ve done to try to overcome these obstacles.
• BPA change requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• You’re not guaranteed to receive approval for a BPA change despite meeting program criteria.
• Change requests must be reviewed and the requested change must continue to meet program criteria, and be eligible.

BPA changes shouldn’t result in you being assessed with fewer points than you were selected with, based on your EOI.

Application for Nomination

To qualify for nomination, you and your immediate family must be residing in Saskatchewan and you must meet the terms of your BPA, including:

• Transferring the required funds to Canada;
• Maintaining legal status in Canada; and
• Operating your business in accordance with your BPA for at least six months before requesting nomination. 

To ensure you maintain legal status in Canada, you’re encouraged to have at least six months remaining on your TWP when you apply for nomination. You’re responsible for maintaining your legal status in Canada in line with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

• Once you’ve fulfilled your BPA and operated your business for at least six months you’ll be eligible to apply to the SINP for the nomination.
• The SINP will assess your application for nomination and advise you of the outcome. You’ll be assessed upon your compliance with your BPA and any other criteria in place at the time you started your application process.
• Submit your application for nomination electronically, using the SINP online system. See Nomination Request – Required Documents for the list of documents you’ll need to provide.
• If approved for nomination the SINP will:
  • Send a nomination certificate to IRCC; and,
  • Send a nomination letter to you explaining how to send your permanent residency application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO).

Application for Permanent Residence

Once you’ve successfully completed all three steps above, you may apply for permanent residency. To gain permanent residence status, you must apply to IRCC with your SINP nomination.

• Ensure you maintain your legal status in Canada; and
• Have a valid TWP while you are waiting for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

IRCC considers your application after it receives the nomination certificate from the SINP, and is responsible for assessing each nominee’s eligibility for Permanent Residence. It completes health, security and criminality reviews. It may also ask for any other information it thinks is needed, at any time during the application process. After all these reviews, if approved, IRCC will issue visas to you and your family members, as applicable.

• The SINP is not responsible for IRCC’s decision to grant or deny Permanent Residence status.

What You Need to Know about Using Immigration Representatives

You are not required to use an immigration representative or consultant to apply to the SINP, but if you wish to do so, you must make sure they’re licensed by the Government of Saskatchewan. Visit Using an Immigration Representative for more information. View a list of Licensed Immigration Consultants at Immigration Consultant and Foreign Worker Recruiter Licensing and Responsibilities.

Using Designated Individuals

In addition to your paid or unpaid representative, you may choose to let someone else have access to information about your application. For example, if you hire a lawyer to help with your application, you may also want a family member to be able to access to your information.

To have your personal information released to someone who is not your representative:

• Complete form IMM-5475: Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual; and
• Submit it with your application to the SINP.

Designated individuals will not receive copies of any correspondence from the SINP, but they can contact the SINP to receive information about your application, by emailing saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca.

Application Forms

Federal

• Generic Application Form for Canada
• Additional Dependants/Declaration
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration
• Schedule 4 – Economic Classes
• Schedule 4A
• Additional Family Information
• Use of a Representative
• Instructions for Use of a Representative
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
• Applying for a Temporary Work Permit – Employer Portal User Guide

Provincial

• Application Guide for the Entrepreneur Category
• Guide de présentation des demandes au titre de la catégorie des entrepreneurs
• SINP Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• SINP-EF-002 Accumulation of Funds Form

For help with filling out the federal forms, watch the following videos

• Immigration and Citizenship Forms: The Basics
• Save Time: Send a Complete Application
• Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476)

Required Documents

Required documents are the documents required for your immigration application (e.g. documents that prove your identity, entrepreneurial experience, language ability, finances, etc.).

For A Complete List Of Required Documents, Review:

• SINP Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist

You’ll need to upload copies of your required documents to your electronic application. All uploaded documents must be clear and easy to read. If any documents are not in English or French you must submit the following:

• An electronic copy of the original document;
• An electronic copy of the English or French translation of the document; and
• An electronic copy of a Translator Affidavit that describes the ability of the translator.

Translations may be done by anyone, except:

• Your spouse;
• A member of your family; or
• A paid third party that has prepared your application to the SINP.

Some Canadian visa offices ask that documents are translated by a certified translator. The SINP doesn’t ask for this, but you should still make sure your translated documents meet all federal requirements.

Although the SINP requests you upload copies of documents to an electronic application, IRCC may require original documents or certified copies.

Related Items

• Application for Nomination for Permanent Residence
• Application to Change Business Performance Agreement
• Business Advisor Services
• Business Establishment Activity Report
• Chartered Accountant Certificate (EOI)
• Learn about Saskatchewan
• Services pour entrepreneurs
• Start your own business