The Job Approval Letter (JAL) under SINP is an essential part of the work visa application process in Saskatchewan, Canada. To participate in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), applicants must have a valid job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan. This article provides a detailed guide on the requirements and instructions for submitting a Job Approval Letter (JAL) under SINP, helping you increase your chances of success in obtaining a work visa and settling in Canada.
What is the Job Approval Letter (JAL) under SINP?
The Job Approval Letter (JAL) under SINP is a pre-approval document that allows employers in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, to hire foreign workers and enable them to apply for immigration through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
To use this letter, employers must submit an online JAL application for each position they intend to fill with a foreign worker. Employers are required to familiarize themselves with the SINP online system and refer to the detailed application guide available on the program’s official website. However, applicants should note that the SINP system does not issue work permits, such as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Conditions to Be Met for Obtaining a Job Approval Letter (JAL)
To ensure your Job Approval Letter (JAL) application under SINP is approved, the following requirements must be met:
- Job Location: The job must be performed at a worksite located within the province of Saskatchewan.
- Business Premises: The workplace must be situated in a commercial zone—either 100% commercial or at least 50% commercial. The site must have standard operating hours, a public entrance, and a separate, distinct entrance from any residential area.
- Employment Relationship: Only formal employer-employee relationships are eligible. Independent contractors, temporary workers, business owners (shareholders, equity holders, etc.), and immediate family members (parents, spouses, children) are not eligible.
- Certificate of Registration (COR): Employers must hold a valid Certificate of Registration. Expired or pending renewals are not accepted. If the COR is invalid at the time the Job Approval Form is being assessed, the JAL application will be deemed ineligible.
- Eligible Occupation: The job must be in an occupation that is eligible to recruit foreign workers through SINP. This includes high-skilled, semi-skilled, and low-skilled positions listed on SINP’s eligible occupations list and must comply with the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
- Full-time and Long-term Job: The position must be full-time (minimum 30 hours per week) and long-term in nature (no end date or at least a two-year term). This may apply to current employees, replacement positions, or jobs expected to become vacant within six months.
- Fair Wage: The wage offered must be fair and comparable to what is paid to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This must be demonstrated through payroll records or regional wage benchmarks. SINP uses the median wage data from Job Bank Canada to verify fairness.
- Working Hours and Shifts: Work hours must be clearly stated, especially if the job involves shift work. This includes the number of hours per day and per week.
- Licensing or Professional Certification: If the position requires a license or professional certification, the worker must provide evidence of their ability to meet this requirement in their immigration application.
- Work Permit (if applicable): For workers already in Saskatchewan, a copy of their current work permit must be attached. Some SINP streams require the worker to hold a work permit supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Required Equipment: Employers must specify any tools or equipment required for the job that the applicant may be expected to use.
- Truck Driver Jobs (NOC 73300): For trucking positions, only heavy-duty vehicles registered, licensed, and insured in Saskatchewan will be considered. Companies must submit lease agreements (if applicable), carrier profiles, and a National Safety Code (NSC) certificate with the application.
- No Conflict with Labor Agreements: The job must not be in conflict with any existing collective bargaining agreement or subject to labor disputes.
- Job Offer Letter: A detailed job offer letter must be attached and include the following:
- Employer’s contact name, phone number, email, and mailing address.
- Confirmation that the job is full-time, permanent (minimum 30 hours/week), and based in Saskatchewan—not seasonal work.
- Specific wage for the job position.
- Job title, detailed duties and responsibilities.
- Physical work location address.
- For truck driver roles (NOC 73300), include vehicle type and relevant details.
- Overtime pay and vacation entitlements as per provincial standards.
- If an amended job agreement exists, include those conditions in the offer letter.
How to Submit a Job Approval Letter (JAL) Application under SINP
To apply for a Job Approval Letter (JAL), you must submit a Job Approval Form (JAF) through your online OASIS account—the same account you used to register your Certificate of Registration. First, select “Create New Preliminary Job Position” to request support for a foreign worker to apply under SINP. You must provide valid identification documents when submitting the request. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT) will review each online application to determine whether the job position meets SINP standards. If approved, ICT will issue a general Job Approval Letter (JAL) if no specific applicant is identified, or an individual JAL if a candidate has already been selected.
ICT also prioritizes expedited processing for the following cases:
- The applicant’s work permit is about to expire (note that SINP cannot guarantee processing before the permit expires).
- The applicant recently lost their job but has received a new job offer.
- The applicant holds a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) permit.
To request expedited processing, employers must send an email with relevant information to employerservices@gov.sk.ca. You can check the JAL processing times on the SINP Processing Times page, where the standard service time is 6 weeks.
Once the JAL is issued, you must provide it to the foreign worker so they can apply for a SINP work permit.
If your employee is not currently working or is no longer working in Saskatchewan, the JAL is valid for 6 months from the date of approval and can be extended. However, if your employee is currently working in Saskatchewan, the JAL is only valid for 60 days and cannot be extended.
SINP Update: Saskatchewan Temporarily Stops Accepting New JAL Applications
Update as of February 18, 2025: Saskatchewan has temporarily stopped accepting new Job Approval Letter (JAL) applications.
- The pause is intended to allow for changes to the eligibility criteria of the various SINP streams. The suspension is expected to last for several weeks.
- All JAL applications—regardless of occupation or stream—will be paused. This includes applications currently under review, which will also be held until the updated stream conditions are implemented.
- The reason for this suspension is to revise the SINP stream criteria and reallocate the reduced quota, which has been cut by 50%.
- Job Approval Letters (JALs) that have already been issued, including those with a named applicant or those awaiting a named applicant, will still be accepted for nomination submission.
In summary, the Job Approval Letter (JAL) under SINP is a crucial step in the process of hiring foreign workers through Saskatchewan’s SINP program. Understanding the requirements and procedures helps employers ensure their applications are processed efficiently and in compliance with regulations. Be sure to stay updated on any changes to stream conditions to avoid unnecessary disruptions during the application process.
