The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has officially released its 2026 nomination quotas alongside a series of critical changes directly affecting foreign workers, international students, and investors planning their immigration to Canada.
Compared to previous years, the 2026 SINP strategy clearly prioritizes candidates based on real-time labor market needs. While requirements have been tightened for several groups, essential sectors are receiving significant priority. Join Phan Immigration as we dive into the details!
2026 Saskatchewan PNP (SINP) Quotas
According to the official announcement, Saskatchewan has been allocated 4,761 nomination spots for 2026. These spots are distributed as follows:
- 50% (approx. 2,381 spots) reserved for Priority Sectors: Healthcare, Agriculture, Skilled Trades, Mining, Manufacturing, Energy, and Technology.
- 25% (approx. 1,190 spots) allocated to Capped Sectors: Accommodation & Food Services (15%; 714), Trucking (5%; 238), and Retail Trade (5%; 238).
- 25% allocated to all other sectors.
Key Update: There is no longer a federal requirement to reserve 75% of nominations for candidates already in Canada (as was the case in 2025). This grants the province more autonomy to select qualified candidates directly from overseas.
While the 2026 quota matches the final year-end total of 2025, it remains 40.5% lower than the 8,000-spot peak seen in 2024. However, the province may receive additional allocations throughout the year at the discretion of IRCC.
Priority Sectors in SINP 2026
To drive the provincial labor market strategy, Saskatchewan is dedicating at least half of its nominations to fields facing critical shortages:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Skilled Trades
- Mining
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Technology
Within this group, 750 spots are specifically set aside for International Students who graduated from a Saskatchewan DLI and are working in these sectors. Candidates in this priority group can apply at any time (continuous intake) without waiting for periodic draws, and may even apply from abroad if they meet the criteria.
Capped Sectors
Certain industries continue to face strict nomination limits, totaling no more than 25% of the overall quota:
- Accommodation and Food Services: Max 15% (714 spots)
- Trucking: Max 5% (238 spots)
- Retail Trade: Max 5% (238 spots)
Important: Candidates in these capped sectors can only apply during the final 6 months of their Work Permit validity and must submit their applications during one of the six specific intake windows (January, March, May, July, September, and November).
Other Significant Changes
For International Students
The SINP is implementing highly selective criteria for international students in Canada. To apply via the SINP Student streams, candidates must:
- Graduate from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) within Saskatchewan.
- Have physically resided in Saskatchewan for the entire duration of their studies.
- Possess work experience directly related to their field of study obtained within the province.
Graduates with a PGWP from other provinces are no longer eligible for the Saskatchewan Experience pathways. Starting in 2026, they are restricted to specific talent-based categories such as:
- Health Talent Pathway
- Agriculture Talent Pathway
- Tech Talent Pathway
- International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer sub-categories.
For Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Holders
In 2026, regulations for SOWP holders have been tightened significantly to ensure long-term community retention. SOWP holders are no longer eligible for several Saskatchewan Experience pathways that use a Work Permit as a primary prerequisite. They may only apply through non-work-permit-based streams (e.g., Health, Agriculture, Tech Talent, or International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer). Applicants may be required to provide additional documentation proving a history of residency in Saskatchewan for themselves and their families.
Saskatchewan authorities noted these measures are necessary to reduce the risk of labor exploitation and address the lower retention rates observed in this group compared to other streams.
Conclusion
The 2026 SINP updates signal a shift toward high-precision selection, focusing on human capital that is likely to settle long-term and meet specific economic needs. With reduced quotas and stricter conditions for international students and OWP holders, candidates must develop a professional immigration strategy from the very beginning.
Phan Immigration is a licensed Canadian immigration consultancy. Our team of experts is ready to assist you with:
- Evaluating your current profile.
- Developing an optimization strategy to increase your chances of an invitation.
- Providing accurate and comprehensive legal support.
- Managing your application and monitoring policy updates.
Contact us today to build your successful Canadian immigration strategy! Hotline: 078 208 4466 (VN) | +1 647 390 0912 (Canada)
