Saskatchewan Work Permit Extension 2025: What You Need to Know

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), the proposed two-year work permit extension, and these changes can have a big impact on skilled workers and employers in 2025. Since last year, Provinces have been making changes to their PNP’s in order to cut down the labour shortages. By doing these changes, Provinces are trying to give PR to the skilled workers already in Canada.

A few days back, British Columbia saved PNP allocations for healthcare professionals. To understand this change in detail,read the complete article here

Table of Contents

1. What SINP Cuts Means
2. What is Saskatchewan’s Strategy
3. What is the Manitoba’s Mode of Extension
4. Who Will Benefit from the Work Permit Extension?
5. Economic Implications for Saskatchewan
6. Key SINP Changes in 2025
7. How the Extension Process Will Work
8. Main Challenges and Concerns
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What SINP Cuts Means

The federal government has significantly reduced Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) allocations for 2025, cutting them by 50%. The number of nominations has fallen to 3,625, the lowest since 2009 . More than 90% of Saskatchewan's economic immigrants arrive through the SINP. This reduction threatens the province’s ability to retain talented workers. Thousands of temporary foreign workers are now facing expiring permits, fewer permanent residency options, and growing uncertainty.

What is Saskatchewan’s Strategy

To address these challenges, Saskatchewan’s Immigration Minister, Jim Reiter, is advocating for a two-year work permit extension for skilled foreign workers. This proposal mirrors Manitoba’s successful agreement, which allowed 6,700 temporary workers to extend their permits by the end of this year . Saskatchewan is seeking similar federal approval to support their SINP candidates with expired or soon-to-expire work permits, aiming to provide a critical buffer for workers and employers during this period of reduced nominations.

What is the Manitoba’s Model of Extension

Manitoba’s approach granted open work permit extensions to their PNP candidates, allowing them to continue working while awaiting permanent residency. This not only helped stabilize local businesses facing labor shortages, but also allowed workers to remain in their communities. Saskatchewan hopes to mirror this blueprint to protect its workforce and support the long-term growth of the province.

Who Will Benefit from the Work Permit Extension?

If approved, the two-year extension would primarily assist:

• Temporary Foreign Workers: Especially those in the SINP Expression of Interest pool or awaiting nomination in key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades.
• Employers in Saskatchewan: Businesses in industries such as retail, food services, and trucking that rely on foreign labor.
• Communities: Retaining skilled workers promotes population stability, cultural diversity, and economic resilience.

Economic Implications for Saskatchewan

Immigration is a critical driver of Saskatchewan’s economic development. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is central to addressing labor shortages, particularly in essential service sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and logistics. The recent nomination cap has placed considerable strain on industries dependent on international labor, such as hospitality, agriculture, and logistics. Despite these challenges, Saskatchewan’s economy remains robust, with record-high job growth and a low unemployment rate, fueled in part by the ongoing demand for skilled workers and the province’s commitment to creating new opportunities for both domestic and international talent.

Key SINP Changes in 2025

Effective March 27, 2025, several major changes to the SINP came into effect:

• Sector Prioritization: Healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades now receive top priority for overseas recruitment and new applications.
• Nomination Caps: Sectors such as food services, retail, accommodation, and trucking are now limited to 25% of total nominations per year. Once the quota is reached, additional applications are deferred or denied until the next year.
• Excluded Occupations: Sectors like salons, spas, and pet care (excluding veterinarians) are no longer eligible for SINP nominations.
• Program Closures: The Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator streams have been permanently closed. Applications submitted before March 27, 2025, will still be processed, but no new applications are accepted.
• Tighter Eligibility: Only applicants with valid, Saskatchewan-based job offers are eligible. Restrictions now apply to open work permit holders, including some spousal work permit holders.

How the Extension Process Will Work

If the proposal gains federal approval, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will oversee the process, following a model similar to Manitoba’s recent extension policy. The steps are as follows:

• Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must be employed in Saskatchewan with a valid work permit as of May 7, 2024, that has expired or will expire in 2025. They must also meet federal conditions and apply for restoration if required.
• Application Process: Eligible individuals must apply through IRCC, possibly with a provincial support letter. Saskatchewan may limit the number of support letters issued.
• Review and Decision: IRCC will evaluate each application. Processing times may vary depending on volume and documentation.
• Permit Issuance: Successful applicants will receive a two-year open work permit, allowing them to work while pursuing permanent residency in Saskatchewan.

Main Challenges and Concerns

• Federal Approval Pending: Saskatchewan still needs IRCC’s green light. Past success in Manitoba does not guarantee approval, as political and budgetary factors could influence the outcome.
• Limited Eligibility: The extension excludes some workers, particularly those in capped sectors or with Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs).
• Employer Disruptions: Businesses in excluded industries may face labor shortages as a result of nomination caps and sector exclusions.
• Worker Anxiety: Uncertainty over nominations and permit expirations continues to create stress for many temporary foreign workers and their families.

Conclusion

Saskatchewan’s proposed two-year work permit extension is a crucial step toward maintaining its skilled workforce amid reduced SINP allocations. Modeled after Manitoba’s successful policy, this extension aims to offer stability to temporary workers and support the province’s economic growth. While final approval from the federal government is still pending, the initiative represents a proactive response to the evolving challenges in Canadian immigration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is eligible for the Saskatchewan work permit extension?

SINP candidates with a valid work permit as of May 7, 2024, that has expired or will expire in 2025, and who are employed in Saskatchewan. Workers with a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) are not eligible.

2. What should temporary workers do now?
• Check your permit status
• Confirm your eligibility
• Contact SINP for support
• Consider other immigration options
3. Why did the federal government reduce SINP nominations?

To manage pressures on housing and infrastructure, the federal government reduced provincial nominations, leading to fewer immigration opportunities and labor shortages.

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