Saskatchewan’s government has created a new immigration scheme to entice technology workers to the Canadian state.
Saskatchewan inaugurated the new IT Talent Pathway this week as part of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) in an effort to alleviate serious labour shortages in the province’s tech sector.
If you live outside of Canada or have legal status in Canada, you may be eligible for the programme.
Applicants for the Tech Talent Pathway must provide the following documents: an employer-specific SINP Job Approval Letter for an approved technology sector position;
If the applicant is not working in Saskatchewan at the time of application, they must have a minimum official language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5, or CLB level 7 if applying for Express Entry.
At least one year of work experience in that occupation in the previous five years, or six months of work experience in Saskatchewan
A postsecondary education, as well as
To be qualified for professional licence in Saskatchewan (applicable to eligible computer, software, electrical and electronics engineers).
If you are applying from another province or from outside Canada, you must have one year of relevant work experience in your planned occupation within the last five years.
The option, according to the government, will expedite the permanent immigration process for IT employees who are currently working in Saskatchewan. Employers in Saskatchewan’s technology and innovation industries will be able to recruit more people, allowing them to promote development and boost the province’s worldwide competitiveness.
If you are already a resident of Saskatchewan and wish to apply for the programme, you must be actively employed in the province and have worked full-time for the company giving you the suitable employment for at least six months.
According to the government, full time implies working at least 30 hours a week.
If you have not been working full-time for your supporting employer for at least six months, you must have at least one year of work experience in your occupation within the past five years.
The amount of nominations that the SINP can make each year is determined by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There is no certainty that your application will be nominated.
Other provinces that provide expedited immigration for IT workers include:
The Alberta government created the Accelerated Tech Pathway earlier this year as part of the federal-provincial Alberta Immigration Nominee Program.
Through its tech-focused Immigrant Nominee Program, Ontario has issued over 1,400 indications of interest in 2021.
Last year, Québec also created a permanent immigration trial programme aimed at professionals in the AI, computer technology, and visual effects industries.
Last May, British Columbia expanded its BC PNP Tech Pilot programme to add to the approximately 6,000 employees it has nominated for permanent residence since its inception in 2017.