The Government of Saskatchewan has provided an update on the number of nominations issued through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for the year 2026. As of now, approximately 26% of the total nominations for the year have been allocated, amounting to 4,761 nominations. This information is significant for potential immigrants and employers looking to navigate the provincial nomination process.
Saskatchewan updates these figures quarterly, and the current data marks the initial overview of the province’s nomination distribution for the year, as it does not regularly publish draws like some other provinces.
How many nominations has the SINP issued in 2026?
The SINP has set a specific number of nominations for various sectors in 2026, categorized as follows:
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- Priority sectors (2,380);
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- Capped sectors (1,190);
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- Other sectors (1,190).
Capped sectors are those where the province has set limits on nomination issuances to balance demand and labor market needs. The capped sectors identified by Saskatchewan include:
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- Accommodation and food services,
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- Retail, trade, and other services,
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- Trucking.
To date, 1,223 nominations have been issued across these sectors, leaving 3,538 nominations still available for distribution.
Distribution of nominations by sector
The following outlines the distribution of nominations issued under each sector as of now:
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- Priority sectors: 689 nominations (50% of the priority allocation),
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- Capped sector – Accommodation and food services: 188 nominations (15% of the capped allocation),
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- Capped sector – Retail, trade, and other services: 74 nominations (5% of the capped allocation),
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- Capped sector – Trucking: 46 nominations (5% of the capped allocation),
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- Other sectors: 226 nominations (25% of the other sectors allocation).
Within the priority sectors, Saskatchewan has reserved 750 slots specifically for graduates of designated learning institutions in the province who are employed in priority sector occupations. Priority sectors include:
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- Healthcare,
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- Agriculture,
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- Skilled trades,
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- Mining,
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- Manufacturing,
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- Energy,
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- Technology.
Upcoming intake windows
Saskatchewan has established designated intake periods for capped sectors in 2026. There will be a total of six intake opportunities, with two already opened and one closed:
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- Intake 1: January 20,
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- Intake 2: March 2,
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- Intake 3: May 4
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- 8:30 a.m. CST for the Trucking and Retail, trade, and other services sectors,
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- 12:30 p.m. CST for the Accommodation and food services sector.
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- Intake 3: May 4
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- Intake 4: July 6,
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- Intake 5: September 7,
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- Intake 6: November 2.
Employers can only submit applications for capped sectors during these specified intake periods if the worker’s work permit is valid for six months or less. For priority sectors and other sectors, there are no restrictions on when applications may be submitted.
FAQ
What is the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)?
The SINP allows the province to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on its specific labor market needs and economic priorities.
Who can apply for SINP nominations?
Individuals seeking to immigrate to Saskatchewan who have skills or experience in the province’s priority or capped sectors may be eligible to apply.
What are the capped sectors in Saskatchewan?
The capped sectors include Accommodation and food services, Retail, trade, and other services, and Trucking. These sectors have limited nominations to control application volume.
When can I apply for SINP nominations?
Applications for capped sectors can only be submitted during designated intake periods, while applications for priority sectors can be submitted at any time.
Reality Check
It is essential for prospective applicants to be aware of the constantly evolving nature of immigration policies and the SINP. The allocation of nominations is subject to change, and individuals should not rely solely on current statistics or intake periods without verifying the most recent updates through official sources. For the most accurate and detailed information, consult the official SINP page.
