Services

Work Permits

Canada offers different types of work permits to foreign nationals, depending on their specific situation:

• Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): This program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labor and skill shortages. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is often required to prove that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job.

• International Mobility Program (IMP): This program allows employers to hire foreign workers without needing an LMIA. Exemptions from the LMIA process are based on broader economic, cultural, or competitive reasons, including agreements like the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Study Permits

Foreign nationals who wish to study in Canada for longer than six months require a study permit. Applicants must be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada and prove they have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees, living expenses, and return travel. While studying, students may also work part-time on or off-campus under certain conditions.

Visitor Visas and Records

Visitor visas (Temporary Resident Visas) are required for nationals from countries without visa exemptions or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) agreements with Canada. These visas are suitable for those visiting Canada for tourism, family visits, or business purposes (where the individual is not entering the Canadian labor market). The duration of stay is at the discretion of the border services officer, up to a maximum of six months.

Super Visas for Parents and Grandparents

The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit their family in Canada for up to five years without renewing their status. Super Visa applicants must undergo a medical examination and provide evidence of private health insurance from a Canadian company. The child or grandchild in Canada must also meet a minimum income threshold, known as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), and provide a written statement of financial support.

Spousal Sponsorship

This program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner to immigrate to Canada. The sponsor must prove they can support their partner financially without accessing social assistance and must also meet other eligibility criteria. The relationship must be genuine, and the marriage must be legal if it occurred outside Canada. This program also includes conjugal partners, recognizing partners who have been in a committed relationship for at least one year but are unable to live together due to exceptional circumstances.

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

Through this program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. Sponsors must demonstrate they have the financial means to support their relatives for a period of 20 years and ensure their relatives do not seek financial assistance from the government. This program has a cap on the number of applications accepted each year, making it highly competitive. To address demand, Canada also offers the Super Visa, allowing parents and grandparents extended visits for up to two years at a time without the need for renewal, as an alternative.

Child Sponsorship

Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children, including adopted children, for Canadian permanent residence. A dependent child is defined by age and marital status; they must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. Children 22 years old or older can also qualify as dependents if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22 and are unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.

Distant Relative Sponsorship

Canada's immigration policy is primarily focused on close family reunification, which limits the sponsorship of more distant relatives. However, there are specific circumstances under which a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor one relative regardless of age or relationship, but only if the sponsor does not have any living relatives they could sponsor instead (such as a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew) and does not have any relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Each of these sponsorship programs requires the sponsor to sign an undertaking, agreeing to provide financial support for the sponsored relative's basic needs for a designated period. This ensures that newcomers do not need to apply for social assistance. The application process for these programs can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring extensive documentation to prove the legitimacy of the relationships and the financial capability of the sponsor.

International Skilled Worker (With or Without Job Offer)

• With Job Offer: This category is for skilled workers who have a job offer for a skilled occupation in Saskatchewan. Candidates must score a minimum on the SINP point assessment grid and meet other criteria, such as language ability, education, and work experience relevant to their job offer in Saskatchewan.

• Without Job Offer (Saskatchewan Express Entry/Occupation-In-Demand): This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, allowing Saskatchewan to nominate skilled workers who are in the Express Entry pool and want to live and work in Saskatchewan. To qualify, candidates must create an Express Entry profile and also submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) to the SINP. They must meet criteria similar to the With Job Offer category but don’t need a job offer to apply. Instead, factors like work experience, education, language ability, and connections to the Saskatchewan labor market are considered.

Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience

• Skilled Workers With Existing Work Permit: This category is designed for individuals who already have a valid work permit and are currently employed in Saskatchewan. To qualify, applicants must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in a skilled occupation (Teer 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5). The key requirements include having been working for the offering employer for at least six months under a valid work permit, demonstrating language ability if required for the occupation, and meeting the other criteria set by the SINP. This pathway is a recognition of the valuable skills and experience these workers bring to the province, offering them a stable future in Saskatchewan.

• Health Professionals: The SINP extends a special pathway for health professionals who have been providing essential health services in the province. This category includes nurses, physicians, and other health practitioners. Eligibility requires at least six months of full-time work experience in Saskatchewan under a valid work permit, a job offer from a public health authority, and the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan, if applicable. This pathway reflects the province's commitment to retaining talented health professionals to ensure the continued provision of high-quality healthcare services.

• Hospitality Sector Project: This project targets specific positions within the hospitality sector, acknowledging the unique needs of this industry for reliable, skilled labor. Eligible positions typically include food and beverage servers, food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and housekeeping/cleaning staff. Applicants must have worked for an approved Saskatchewan employer for a minimum of six months on a valid work permit. The program aims to address labor shortages in the hospitality sector by offering a pathway to permanent residency for dedicated workers in these roles.

• Students: The student category is for international students who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada and have subsequently gained work experience in Saskatchewan. To be eligible, students must have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months (or 960 hours) on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. The job must be in a field related to their studies and classified as Teer 0, 1, 2, or 3. This pathway recognizes the contribution of international students to the provincial economy and offers them the opportunity to transition from education to permanent residency within the community they have come to know during their studies.

• Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot: This pilot is designed to help Saskatchewan employers recruit foreign workers for positions that are challenging to fill with local labor. It targets specific occupations that do not necessarily require professional licensing or higher education qualifications but are crucial for the province’s economy. Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in one of the eligible occupations and meet language, experience, and other requirements specific to their job offer. This pathway reflects the province's proactive approach to solving labor shortages in key sectors.

• Tech Talent Pathway: The Tech Talent Pathway caters to individuals with experience in in-demand technology occupations, aiming to support Saskatchewan’s growing tech sector. Applicants must have a permanent, full-time job offer in Saskatchewan in one of the eligible tech occupations. This pathway prioritizes candidates with skills in areas like software engineering and development, information systems analysis and consulting, digital media design, and computer and information systems management, among others. The intention is to streamline the immigration process for skilled tech workers, bolstering innovation and competitiveness within the province's tech industry.

• Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit: This category is specifically for semi-skilled workers who are currently employed in Saskatchewan's agricultural sector. It recognizes the importance of agriculture to the province's economy and provides a route for workers in semi-skilled positions, who have been working in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit, to obtain permanent residency. Eligible applicants must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in an agricultural occupation. The program looks for candidates with a commitment to the agricultural sector and the potential to contribute to its sustainability and growth.

• Long-Haul Truck Driver Project: The Long-Haul Truck Driver Project allows Saskatchewan trucking firms to bring in long-haul truck drivers on temporary foreign work permits and subsequently support their application for permanent residency through the SINP. To qualify, drivers must first obtain a temporary foreign work permit, work for a Saskatchewan trucking firm, and complete a minimum amount of work experience as a long-haul truck driver in the province. This pathway addresses the critical need for long-haul truck drivers in Saskatchewan and offers a clear route for these workers to become permanent residents.

Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur stream is for individuals who plan to start, acquire, or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and actively participate in its management. Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest to the SINP and, if invited to apply, provide a detailed business plan. Criteria for nomination include making a requisite investment in a new or existing business in the province and meeting other operational milestones specified by the program.

International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur category under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is tailored for recent graduates from Saskatchewan's post-secondary institutions who aspire to establish, acquire, or become partners in a business within the province. Candidates must have completed at least a two-year full-time degree or diploma from an eligible institution in Saskatchewan and hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit. To participate, applicants initiate the process by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), which is evaluated based on factors like their business proposal, entrepreneurial experience, and language proficiency. High-scoring EOIs receive an invitation to apply, followed by the requirement to sign a Business Performance Agreement, outlining the business's objectives and milestones. The entrepreneur must operate the business for a minimum of one year in Saskatchewan before being eligible for nomination for permanent residency. This pathway aims to retain skilled international graduates in Saskatchewan, contributing to the province's economic development through new or enhanced business ventures. 

Farm Owner and Operator

This category is designed for experienced farmers who wish to purchase and operate a farm in Saskatchewan. Applicants must have proven experience in farming, sufficient available capital to invest in a farming operation, and a proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity. There is also a Young Farmer Stream within this category aimed at attracting younger farm operators who can inject new energy and ideas into Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector.

Each of these categories has specific eligibility requirements, application processes, and selection criteria, reflecting Saskatchewan's goal of attracting immigrants who can contribute to the province's economic development and cultural diversity.

Sinp job approvals

• Identify the Need: Employers must first identify a position that they are unable to fill with Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

• Job Approval Letter: Employers need to apply for a Job Approval Letter from the SINP. This involves submitting a detailed job offer to the SINP for a specific foreign worker. The job offer must meet certain criteria, such as being for a full-time, permanent position that is in demand in Saskatchewan.

Key Points for Employers:-

• Compliance and Accuracy: Employers must ensure that all information provided to the SINP and to the prospective employee is accurate and complies with provincial and federal regulations.

• Supporting the Nominee: Employers are encouraged to support the nominee through the application process and with their settlement in Saskatchewan.

Labour Market Impact assessments "LMIA"

Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are a crucial part of Canada's strategy to manage the impact of foreign workers on the country's labor market. Administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), an LMIA is essentially a test to assess the effect of hiring a foreign worker on Canada's labor market. Here's an elaboration on the LMIA process and the associated programs:

• Purpose of LMIA

The primary purpose of an LMIA is to protect the Canadian labor market by ensuring that the hiring of foreign workers does not negatively affect employment opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It is a mechanism to verify that there is a genuine need for a foreign worker to fill a job vacancy and that no suitable Canadian worker is available to do the job.

• LMIA Process

1. Employer Application: Employers must apply for an LMIA before hiring a foreign worker. This involves submitting a detailed application to ESDC, demonstrating efforts to recruit Canadians or permanent residents for the job (such as advertising the position in various channels), the wages and working conditions, and the economic benefit that hiring the foreign worker would bring to Canada.

2. Assessment by ESDC: ESDC assesses the application based on various factors, including the availability of Canadians/permanent residents to do the job, the wages and working conditions offered, the employer’s previous history with the program, and the overall economic, social, or cultural benefits to Canada.

3. LMIA Outcome: The outcome can be positive or negative. A positive LMIA means that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and hiring one will not negatively affect the Canadian labor market. A negative LMIA means the opposite.

• Types of LMIA

There are several types of LMIA, each serving different purposes:

• High-wage Workers: For positions that offer wages at or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage.

• Low-wage Workers: For positions below the provincial/territorial median hourly wage.

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: Specifically for agricultural workers from Mexico and Caribbean countries.

• Agricultural Stream: For other general agricultural positions requiring foreign workers.

• Global Talent Stream: Part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, aimed at innovative firms in Canada that need unique talent and for workers in the tech sector.

• Caregivers: For families or individuals seeking to hire foreign caregivers to care for people in need of supervision.

• LMIA Exemptions

Some work permit categories are exempt from needing an LMIA under the International Mobility Program (IMP). These include certain types of work that are considered to have significant social, cultural, or economic benefits to Canada, such as intra-company transferees, people covered under international agreements (like NAFTA/USMCA), and others with reciprocal benefits for Canadians going abroad.

• Impact and Considerations

The LMIA process is rigorous and designed to ensure that employers consider Canadians and permanent residents for job vacancies before hiring from abroad. It can be time-consuming and requires thorough documentation from employers. For foreign workers, obtaining a position with a positive LMIA can significantly facilitate their application for a work permit or permanent residency, as it shows they are filling a genuine labor gap in Canada.

This system allows Canada to balance the need for foreign workers in certain sectors while ensuring that Canadians have the first opportunity to apply for available jobs, thus protecting the Canadian labor market and supporting economic growth.

Express Entry Applications

Express Entry is a system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence under these main federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada.

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.

Points are awarded based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and proficiency in English or French, and candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates are periodically invited to apply for permanent residence.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Caregiver Program

These are two pathways for foreign nationals to work as caregivers in Canada and potentially become permanent residents:

• Home Child Care Provider Pilot: Aimed at foreign nationals who have a job offer in Canada as a home child care provider (NOC 4411) and meet certain criteria. It allows them to come to Canada on a work permit and eventually apply for permanent residence.

• Home Support Worker Pilot: Similar to the Home Child Care Provider Pilot but for those providing home support services (NOC 4412).

Both pilots require the caregiver to gain two years of work experience in Canada before they can apply for permanent residence.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

The RNIP is a community-driven program designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating rural or northern communities.

Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway (TR to PR)

This pathway is designed for temporary residents who are already in Canada and have the skills and experience the country needs to transition to permanent residence. It includes workers in health care, other selected essential occupations, and international graduates who contribute to the Canadian economy.

Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds

The Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds application is a special provision within Canada's immigration system designed to offer a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who are already in Canada and would face unusual, undeserved, or disproportionate hardship if required to return to their home country. This program is part of Canada’s commitment to fairness and recognizes the need for compassion and flexibility in unique circumstances.

Key Features of H&C Applications

• Discretionary: Decisions on H&C applications are made on a case-by-case basis, allowing immigration officers significant discretion to assess each application's unique set of circumstances.

• Not for Refugee Claims: This program is distinct from refugee or asylum seeker status. Individuals who have a pending refugee claim or have been refused refugee status are generally not eligible to apply on H&C grounds until some time has passed since the final decision on their refugee claim.

• Broad Criteria: There are no strict guidelines for what constitutes humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Factors considered can include establishment in Canada, ties to the community, the best interests of children involved, health considerations that cannot be addressed in the applicant's home country, and any other relevant factors.

• Evidence Required: Applicants must provide substantial evidence to support their claims, including documentation of their situation and how they would face hardship if they had to leave Canada.

Refugees and Five Group Sponsorship

Canada has a long tradition of welcoming refugees. The Five Group Sponsorship is part of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, where five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor one or more refugees to come to Canada and settle in their local area. The group commits to supporting the refugees financially and helping them integrate into life in Canada for the duration of the sponsorship period, usually one year.

These programs collectively reflect Canada's multifaceted approach to immigration, balancing economic needs with humanitarian commitments. Each program has specific requirements and processes, designed to target different groups of applicants based on their skills, work experience, and situations.