SINP: FAQ: Employers

Does the SINP charge a fee to employers or applicants?

No.  The SINP does not charge fees; however, applicants who have received nomination by the SINP will be subject to the federal CIC fees.

Does the government of Saskatchewan provide any grants or tax concessions to employers who hire foreign workers?

No.

What responsibility does the employer have for the completion of a SINP application?

The employer must provide:
• A signed written offer of permanent, full-time employment to the applicant in an occupation that falls into the NOC level 0, A or B on the NOC matrix or a Designated Trade;
• A SINP 500-7 SINP Company Information Release Form;
• A SINP 500-8 SINP Affidavit of English Language Ability (if applicable);
• A SINP 500-9 SINP Affidavit of Job Knowledge and Skills (if applicable).

What must be included in the job offer?

The job offer must come from a legitimate and registered Saskatchewan employer, addressed to the applicant and it must list all of the following:
• The job title and a description of duties and responsibilities;
• The salary the applicant will receive;
• The benefits the employer will provide; and,
• The company’s contact information.

All positions must offer wages and working conditions that match Saskatchewan standards in that occupation.

What hourly rate should the employer pay as a starting wage?

The employer must pay fair wages and benefits according to the Labour Market Information for that occupation and region.  All employers must offer wages and working conditions that match Canadian standards in that occupation.

Labour market information for Saskatchewan can be found on the Service Canada website.

How long does it take for an application to be processed at Saskatchewan Immigration?  What about at the Canadian Embassy?

Successful SINP applications will have their files assessed within 4-8 months.  Processing times at the Canadian Embassies vary; however, successful SINP applications typically receive visas considerably quicker than individuals applying through federal immigration classes.  The average time from making the SINP application to receiving a visa has been about 13 months.

What is an open work permit?

An open work permit allows the holder to accept employment and work for any employer in Canada in any occupation for the time period specified on the work permit without the need of a Service Canada Labour Market Opinion.  Once applicants have been nominated by the SINP, their spouses can apply for an open work permit allowing them to work for any employer in any field.

When is a foreign worker who is on a temporary work permit eligible to apply through the SINP as a skilled worker?

To be considered in this sub-category, applicants must have:
• A valid work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada;
• A confirmed offer of permanent, full-time employment with a Saskatchewan employer;
• Worked for more than six months under a Temporary Work Permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the employer offering them the job.  Their work permit must be supported by a Service Canada’s (SC) labour market confirmation or a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) exemption; and,
• A job offer in an occupation or trade in the National Occupational Classification Matrix A, B, 0 or a designated trade in Saskatchewan.

Does a foreign worker need to receive permanent resident status before they can begin working for me?

No.  Once an applicant receives nomination from the SINP, they can apply for a temporary work permit.  The temporary work permit allows the applicant to start working in Saskatchewan while waiting for their file to be assessed and approved by CIC.

It is also possible to hire foreign workers before they apply to the SINP for permanent resident status.  Canadian employers can apply to SC for a labour market opinion (LMO) which will allow them to employ foreign workers.  The foreign worker must then submit this LMO along with their application to work in Canada to the CIC visa office responsible for their country of residence.  For more information on applying for a labour market opinion, visit Service Canada’s website.