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Obtain SINP Approval for the Job Position

Overview

The Employer Position Assessment (EPA) is an approval authorizing an employer to hire an international worker who can apply to immigrate through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). Employers must submit an SINP EPA for approval for each position the employer intends to fill with a candidate, and if approved, each international worker identified must confirm the information is accurate to complete the approval process.

Visit the SINP Online Application Guide for Saskatchewan Employers to learn how to use the SINP online application system (OASIS). Please note that OASIS is not used for the work permit process.

Learn more about the federal employer portal and work permit process for SINP supported candidates. 

The SINP is prioritizing EPAs based on sectors for 2026, with different supports for each group of sectors.

Assessing the Occupation

To submit an EPA, an employer must determine the appropriate National Occupational Classification (NOC) for that position. NOCs are assigned based on the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) required for the position.

From the NOC main page, employers can search for a position by entering keywords to find the corresponding NOC, then review the main duties to see if they match the duties and responsibilities of the position they are filling. Once the employer identifies the NOC that most closely matches the position's primary duties, they can review the NOC Matrix to determine the NOC's TEER level. This will help determine if the position is eligible for SINP support.

There are six Matrix levels that identify whether the position is high-skilled, semi-skilled or low-skilled. Learn more about the employment descriptions and common requirements for each occupation category.

High-skilled occupations:

  • TEER 0: Management
  • TEER 1: Jobs that usually require a university degree.
  • TEERS 2 and 3: Jobs that usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training.

Semi-skilled (intermediate-skilled) occupations:

  • TEER 4: Jobs that usually require a high school diploma or occupation-specific training.

Low-skilled (entry-level) occupations:

  • TEER 5: Jobs that usually receive on-the-job training.

Visit About the National Occupational Classification, or review the 3-step tutorial on the NOC structure and frequently asked questions to learn more about the NOC system.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for EPA approval, all online SINP EPA submissions must meet the following criteria:

Location Requirements
  • The position must be for a physical place of work that is within the geographic boundaries of Saskatchewan.
  • The business location must be zoned as 100 per cent commercial, or a minimum of 50 per cent commercial use and have regular operating hours, public access, and a clear separation from attached residential spaces.
  • Exceptions to commercial zoning requirements may be permitted for farms, day cares and care homes.
  • Positions will not be approved if the location relies on work-from-home arrangements, non-exclusive co-working spaces or home offices.
Employer Requirements
  • The position must establish an employer-employee relationship. Independent contractors, temporary agency workers, or business owners (e.g., shareholders, equity holders) and their immediate family members (parents, spouse, and children) are not eligible for an SINP EPA.
  • The position requested must not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements or labour disputes.
  • The employer must have an Active Certificate of Registration (COR). If the COR is no longer active (expired or cancelled) during the EPA process, it will result in the EPA being found ineligible.
Occupation Requirements
  • The position must be for an occupation that is eligible for recruitment through the SINP. Select high-skilled, semi-skilled, and low-skilled positions are eligible for the SINP:
    • If the business type or NOC for the position is on the Job Offer Excluded List, they must meet the restrictions listed in order to apply.
    • Spousal Open Work Permit holders are not eligible to apply to the Student category or Existing Work Permit category.
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit holders may only be eligible under the SINP's Student, Health Talent, International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer and Agriculture Talent pathways.
    • Study permits are not eligible under the SINP unless the candidate has a permanent, full-time job offer from a priority sector employer and are able to provide documentation proofing that they have completed their education.
  • Nominations in occupations in the accommodation and food services, retail trade and trucking sectors will be capped at 25 per cent of total nominations in 2026. EPAs for these sectors will be accepted during six intakes. To be eligible for an EPA approval:
    • The employer must only submit EPAs for their candidate(s) during an intake window and when the candidate’s work permit is within six months of expiry.
    • The candidate must be a current employee of the business.
    • For further information on capped sectors and intake windows, please visit the Applications and Nominations tab of SINP Processing Statistics.
Job Offer Information Requirements

The employer will be required to enter all the following job offer information when submitting the EPA. This information must match the signed job offer letter that the candidate attaches to their SINP application:

  • The employer’s contact name, phone number, e-mail address and company mailing address.
  • The average hours of work per week. The position is required to be a permanent, full-time (minimum 30 hours/week) skilled position(s) in Saskatchewan (non-seasonal).
  • The wage (rate of pay) for the position being offered.
  • The job title, detailed duties and responsibilities of the position being offered.
  • The physical address where the candidate will be working.
  • Overtime entitlements. The employer must offer overtime pay which aligns with provincial legislation: "Overtime pay will be paid at the rate of at least 1.5 times the hourly wage rate, after 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week." If the employer is federally regulated, or if the position is for an occupation exempt from overtime rules or falls under a Modified Work Arrangement, please indicate the overtime conditions in the EPA.
  • Vacation entitlements. The employer must offer vacation leave which aligns with provincial legislation. If the employer is federally regulated, or if the position is for an occupation specific to the agriculture industry, please indicate the vacation leave conditions in the EPA.
Other Employer Position Assessment Information Requirements
  • Be for a full-time (minimum of 30 hours/week) and permanent position (no end date or at least two years in length at the time of assessment). The position must be for:
    • an existing employee,
    • an existing vacancy, which is a position recently vacated by a full-time employee,
    • a position that will be vacated within 6 months by an existing full-time employee;
    • a position that is being filled through full-time contract work; or
    • an employer in a prioritized sector.
  • The wage must be fair compared to wages paid to Canadians and permanent residents, shown by meeting the standard benchmark or providing recent proof of wages for current employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the same role, at the same location and with the same employment conditions. The SINP uses the National Job Bank’s Regional Median Wage for that occupation in Saskatchewan as the standard benchmark for ethical recruitment. The wage offered cannot be below the regional low wage for that occupation. The six economic regions used for regional wages include:
    • Northern Region
    • Prince Albert Region
    • Regina–Moose Mountain Region
    • Saskatoon–Biggar Region
    • Swift Current–Moose Jaw Region
    • Yorkton–Melville Region
  • Include the current hours of operation and shifts per day if the position requires shift work.
  • State whether the position requires licensure or professional certification. The worker will need to provide proof of eligibility in their immigration application.
  • If applicable, include a copy of the candidate’s work permit if they are currently working for the employer in Saskatchewan.
    • Some SINP categories require the candidate to hold a specific work permit type.
    • Candidates employed in capped sectors must have six months or less remaining on their work permit.
  • For priority sectors only: Employers of Post-Graduate Work Permit holders and study permit holders who have completed their program will be eligible for EPA approval with a wage lower than the Regional Median Wage, but not below the Regional Low Wage. This exemption supports retention of recent graduates in priority sectors, where entry-level wages commonly fall below the regional median, and will no longer be extended to other sectors.
  • Employers who wish to recruit a SINP nominee must include a copy of their candidate’s nomination certificate in the EPA.
  • Valid photo identification, organizational role and contact information from the EPA submitter is also required.
Requirements specific to Truck Drivers (NOC 73300)
  • In the case of Truck Drivers (NOC 73300), only heavy vehicles registered, licensed and insured in Saskatchewan will be considered. Only vehicles registered to the organization applying for EPA approval will be considered during the assessment. Companies will also be required to provide copies of lease agreements (if applicable), current carrier profile, and current National Safety Code (NSC) certificate with their applications. Only those companies with a current Carrier Profile with a Satisfactory Audited or Satisfactory Unaudited rating will be considered.
  • Please note that a maximum of two truck drivers per truck will be approved per registered qualifying vehicle.
  •  If applying under NOC 73300, the job offer must indicate the type of vehicle to be driven - power units and semi-trailers, and trucks which have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow where the gross weight of the towed unit(s) exceeds 4,600 kg OR other type of transport truck.

Apply for Employer Position Assessment Approval

To apply for an EPA approval supporting an international worker's application to the SINP, employers must submit the EPA through their OASIS account used for their COR and click on the "Create New Employer Position Assessment Application" button. Valid photo identification is required to submit an EPA.

Employers may use EPAs to support current employees, other temporary residents, or candidates from overseas. Incomplete EPAs, including submissions with blank or missing documents, will not be accepted.

Capped Sectors

Employers in the capped sectors of food service and accommodation, retail trade, and trucking may submit EPAs only during specified intake windows and for one current employee per EPA.

For capped sectors:

  • The employee or temporary resident must be added to the EPA prior to submission.
  • The employee must be a current employee and have six months or less remaining on their work permit at the time the EPA is submitted.
  • Intakes occur every two months.

Non‑Capped Sectors

Employers in non‑capped sectors may submit EPAs at any time and may include:

  • Up to 10 current employees,
  • Non‑employee temporary residents, or
  • Overseas candidates to fill recent existing vacancies.
  • A candidate may be identified at the time of EPA submission or within 60 calendar days following the EPA approval.
  • EPA approvals will expire if no candidate is identified within this 60‑day period.

Assessment and Approval

The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training will assess each EPA to determine whether the position meets SINP eligibility criteria. If approved, the employer and any identified candidates will be notified by email.

All approved EPAs are valid for 60 calendar days from the date approval is issued.

Candidate Validation and Application Timelines

Once a candidate is identified on an approved EPA:

  • The candidate must validate the EPA information within the first 10 calendar days of this period. If the EPA information is not validated within the first 10 calendar days, the application will be closed.
  • After validation, the candidate will have the remaining time within the 60 day period to submit their application. If the application is not submitted within 60 calendar days of EPA approval, the EPA will expire and the candidate will no longer be able to apply.

If the candidate you intend to support has not yet been recruited or is not currently working for you in Saskatchewan, your EPA may be eligible for a one-time extension of 30 days from the expiry date of the EPA. A request for an extension to the approved EPA must be submitted 15 days prior to the expiry date.

Expedited Processing

ICT will expedite processing of the following for EPAs:

  • candidates from priority sectors whose work permits expire within three months (the SINP cannot guarantee that the EPA will be processed before the work permit expires); and
  • nominees impacted by a recent job loss with a new job offer.

Employers must request expedited processing by emailing the relevant information to employerservices@gov.sk.ca. EPA processing times can be found on the SINP Processing Statistics page. The service standard is 6 weeks for processing.

Second Review Process

A Second Review process is available for the capped sectors of Food service and accommodations, Retail trade or Trucking. To request a second review, a completed second review form must be submitted to employerservices@gov.sk.ca within 30 calendar days of the date of the ineligible decision.

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