Saskatchewan has a vibrant art and culture scene, scenic provincial parks and plenty of sports and recreation opportunities. Known as the birthplace of Medicare, its residents enjoy free medical care and excellent health care services.

Saskatchewan's education system offers affordable opportunities at every level. All graduates from an approved program at an eligible institution in 2006 or later, and who live in Saskatchewan are eligible to apply for the province's Graduate Retention Program. The program refunds up to $20,000 of tuition fees paid by eligible graduates (including international graduates) who live in Saskatchewan and who file a Saskatchewan income tax return.

Saskatchewan is a great place to live and raise a family and to locate or invest in a business:

• Housing costs are lower in Saskatchewan than in most major cities in Canada, and owning a home is affordable and achievable for most people.
• Unlike other Canadian provinces, there are no personal premiums or personal charges for basic and needed health services.
  • It's important to apply for a health card as soon as you arrive.
• The provincial sales tax of 6 per cent is the lowest of any province that charges a sales tax.
• It costs less to get to and from work because the maximum commute time within major cities is about 20 minutes.

There are four steps:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP
2. EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application
   • A candidate's EOI is selected based on points. Those with the highest points are selected during each draw. The number selected depends on program requirements.
   • After candidates are invited to apply, applications are processed in the order they are received.
3. Business Establishment
4. Nomination

The SINP does not provide preferential treatment for any application. All applicants must meet all program requirements. The SINP does not endorse any Saskatchewan-based companies or projects.

Your SINP Application Assessment

• Before your application will be assessed, you must submit:
  • Application processing fee.
  • Third party verification report.
  • Electronic application including all supporting documents.
• Only complete applications will be accepted.
  • Incomplete applications will be closed.
  • If your application has been closed and you wish to reapply, you must submit a new EOI.

Before you submit your EOI:

• To submit an EOI to the SINP, you must:
  • Meet the entry criteria.
  • Complete the Points Assessment Grid.
• To meet the entry criteria you must:
  • Have a minimum of $500,000 (CAD) in Net Business and Personal Assets.
  • Have at least three years of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience gained in the past ten years.
  • Plan to invest a minimum of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon, or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities.
• We will assess the information you give in your EOI against the Points Grid to rank your EOI in the pool of candidates. Candidates are then selected based on their score. Selected candidates are invited to apply to the SINP.
• If you are invited to apply you must submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP). Your BEP must include:
  • Your plan to establish an eligible business that aligns with the points in the Entrepreneur Category Points Grid.
  • Your ownership of at least one-third (33 1/3 per cent) of the equity of a business in Saskatchewan, unless your total investment is $1 million CAD or higher.
  • Your commitment to the day-to-day management of the business.
  • The creation of two employment opportunities in Saskatchewan for Canadians or permanent residents who are not related to you*.

You must list all dependents on your application to the SINP Entrepreneur Category, even if they are not coming to Canada with you. You will also need to submit any new dependents to us and IRCC before visas are issued.

IRCC may change the definition of dependents or the policies regarding dependents at any time. You can review IRCC's policies and procedures on the IRCC website.

Presently, accompanying dependents include your:

• Spouse (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Spouse).
• Common-law partner (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Common-law partner).
• Dependent children (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Dependent children).
  • Dependent family members that are not included in your application can't be nominated for permanent residence as part of your SINP application later.
  • If you want your dependent family members to join you in Canada later, you'll need to make a separate application to the Government of Canada's Family Sponsorship Program, or another immigration category. The application will have to be approved before your dependent family members can join you.

Please note: If you are the principal applicant, your parents, brothers and sisters may not be included in the SINP application.

• All approved applicants who do not attend an arrival meeting in Saskatchewan within 18 months of the date on the SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter will have their applications closed.
• After you arrive in Saskatchewan you must:
  • Attend an arrival meeting by contacting the SINP at saskentrpreneur@gov.sk.ca.
  • Send your Business Establishment Progress Report to the SINP Entrepreneur category no later than 12 months after the Landing Date.
  • Establish or purchase your business. We recommend you are prepared to establish your business as soon as you arrive. To be eligible for nomination you must satisfy the terms of your signed BPA within two years of the date of your TWP and show operation of your business for no less than six months.
• You must maintain the terms of your SINP approval throughout the immigration process. The SINP will withdraw a nomination to IRCC for permanent residency if the terms are not maintained.
• You are encouraged to use the settlement services available in Saskatchewan. You can access government funded settlement services through the Regional Newcomer Gateways.
• See Starting Your Own Business for more information about being an immigrant entrepreneur in Saskatchewan.