Entrepreneur

The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream is one of the streams of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Saskatchewan. This stream is designed to target experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Saskatchewan. Successful applicants must start a new business or buy an existing business in which they participate in the day-to-day management duties.

Get Started

After operating a Saskatchewan business for a minimum of 6 months, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Interested candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SINP Online Portal. After registering a profile the candidate will be assigned a score based on the SINP Entrepreneur Ranking System. The candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to submit an official application to the program.

Program Requirements

Requirement
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyNo minimum
Level of EducationNo minimum
Work ExperienceBusiness management or entrepreneurial experience
3 years
Investment RequirementInvestment: $200,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $500,000 CAD

Work Experience

In order to qualify to submit an EOI for the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream, a candidate must be able to prove they have the interest, ability, and financial resources to own and actively manage a Saskatchewan business. For this reason, the program requires a high level of business management experience as well as a significant financial net worth. The applicant must have at least three (3) years of work experience as a business manager or entrepreneur. This experience must have been obtained within the previous 10 years. The applicant will also have to maintain an active role with their proposed business.

 

Investment Requirement

This stream requires a significant net worth and investment on the part of the applicant. The applicant must have a minimum net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. The minimum investment amount varies depending on the location of the proposed business:

  1. In Regina or Saskatoon If the proposed business is located within the city of Regina or the city of Saskatoon the applicant must make a minimum personal investment of at least $300,000 CAD.
  2. Outside Regina or Saskatoon If the proposed business is located outside of the city of Regina and the city of Saskatoon, the applicant must invest at least $200,000 CAD.

Candidates will be required to develop a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) explaining how they will establish and invest in the Saskatchewan business. The proposed business must meet certain criteria, including creating at least two employment opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Application Procedure

The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile and submit an EOI through the SINP Online Portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be ranked against one another using the SINP Entrepreneur Ranking System. The highest ranking candidates will be invited to apply to the stream. SINP releases draw dates in advance and interested candidates may view the dates on the SINP Entrepreneur Draws.

Candidates who receive an invitation to apply have 20 business days to pay the $2,500 CAD processing fee and select a recognized third party financial review service who will assess their net worth and proposed investment amount. A complete application must be submitted within 90 days of receiving the invitation to apply. Note that if an application is complete, the next stage of the application requires the applicant to attend an interview with SINP officials. This interview may be conducted in-person or online by video call.

If the application is approved, the applicant will have to sign a business performance agreement with Saskatchewan. Once the performance agreement is signed, the SINP will issue a work permit support letter, enabling the applicant to apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit. Select business categories of immigration, including Saskatchewan Entrepreneur, allow foreign nationals to apply for temporary work permits allowing them to work in Canada while establishing their business practice. These work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), meaning they are LMIA-exempt. To apply for such a work permit, an applicant must include a work permit support letter issued by the province and submit their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Once arriving in Canada, the applicant must establish their business. After successfully operating their business for at least 6 months and meeting the conditions of their business performance agreement, applicants may submit an official request to SINP for provincial nomination. If an applicant’s request is approved by the SINP, they will receive an official provincial nomination. With a provincial nomination in hand, the applicant may apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Ranking System

The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream uses the following points-grid to rank candidates who have submitted EOIs. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Overview of Factors

FactorPoints
Human Capital
Age15
Exploratory Visit15
Official Language Ability15
Qualifications / Education15
Net Business and Personal Assets15
Business Experience
Entrepreneurial or Farming Experience20
Business Revenue20
Innovation10
Business Establishment Plan
Investment Amount20
Investment in Key Economic Sectors15
Maximum160

Age

AgePoints
20 or less0
21-2910
30-3915
40-5410
55+0
Maximum15

Exploratory Visit

Exploratory VisitPoints
Has conducted an exploratory visit to Saskatchewan for at least five working days with evidence of contact with relevant business contacts15
Maximum15

Language

Language AbilityPoints
No language Test0
CLB 45
CLB 510
CLB 6+15
Maximum15

Qualifications & Education

Qualification / EducationPoints
Has a trade or occupational certification that required at least one (1) year full time post secondary training or apprenticeship equivalent10
Has completed a Bachelor Degree or PostGraduate Degree/Designation in a Business, Agriculture, or Science/Technology field15
Maximum15

Net Assets

Net Business and Personal AssetsPoints
$500,000 - $549,999 CAD0
$550,000 - $749,999 CAD5
$750,000 - $999,999 CAD10
$1,000,000+ CAD15
Maximum15

Entrepreneurial or Farm Experience

Entrepreneurial or Farming ExperiencePoints
4 to 7 years entrepreneurial/farm experience10
8 or more years entrepreneurial/farm experience15
4 to 7 years entrepreneurial/farm experience with 50%+ ownership in business15
8 or more years entrepreneurial/farm experience with 50%+ ownership in business20
Maximum20

Business Revenue

Business RevenuePoints
$50,000 - $99,999 CAD5
$100,000 - $249,999 CAD10
$250,000 - $499,999 CAD15
$500,000 CAD+20
Maximum20

Innovation

InnovationPoints
Previous verifiable experience in:
Export Trade10
Registered patents10
Gazelle business10
Maximum10

Investment Amount

Investment AmountPoints
Total equity investment to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business in SK:
$200,000 - $349,999 CAD0
$350,000 - $499,999 CAD5
$500,000 - $749,999 CAD10
$750,000 - $999,999CAD15
$1,000,000+ CAD20
Maximum20

Investment in Key Sectors

Investment in Key Economic SectorsPoints
Proposed Business Activity
Science and technology15
Manufacturing15
Export15
Rural business succession15
Rural business development15
Maximum15

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Past & Future Draws

Below is the information regarding recent and upcoming Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

Recent & Future Draws

DateLowest ScoreAverage ScoreHighest ScoreTotal Selections
Sept 2022759513043
July 2022809513064
May 20229011013054
March 2022809013558
January 20229010514051
November 202110011013065
September 202111011512541
July 202112012515528
March 202011011513073
January 202011512014542
May 2, 201912012513543
March 7, 201912012514039
January 3, 201911512015090
November 21, 201811512013584
September 19, 201811011513571
July 18, 2018100105135187
April 18, 201890100135231
October 1, 201780100135265
July 1, 20178010014598
May 1, 201780105140142
March 1, 201795110135107
January 1, 20178095145251
December 1, 201612012013014
September 1, 201611011513557
May 1, 201611012015588
October 1, 201511012515570
*Please note that upcoming draw dates are subject to revision

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