Before you move to Saskatchewan, there are a lot of things you can do to prepare yourself for your new life in Saskatchewan.
Access Pre-arrival Services
You can choose and access many different free pre-arrival services before you leave your home country.
- Some service providers provide general settlement and employment services which:
- provide information on life in Saskatchewan and Canada;
- help you find a job and understand the Canadian workplace; and
- connect you to settlement services in Saskatchewan.
- Others provide services specific to immigrants to a certain province or to those who are in a particular profession.
- All services are provided online, with some also providing in-person services.
- Some services are available in multiple languages.
- Find out if you are eligible for free pre-arrival services.
Note that these services are provided throughout Saskatchewan, so be sure to find the immigration services available near where you intend to reside.
Find a Job in Saskatchewan
If you want to work in Canada, start looking for a job while you are still in your home country. Access free pre-arrival services to get help finding a job. Some service providers provide general information on how to find a job, others provide employment information on specific occupations.
Prepare to Work in Your Occupation in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has regulated and non-regulated occupations.
You may need to be licensed before you can work in a regulated occupation in Saskatchewan. Before you arrive in the province, contact the regulatory body in Saskatchewan to ask about the requirements and costs for licensing, and the recommended procedure for a credential assessment.
Being able to understand and speak English is very important to your success in working in Saskatchewan. Regulated and non-regulated occupations and trades require you to be fluent in English or French and to have a strong knowledge of all work-related language. Make sure that you understand the language requirements you must meet to work in your job. If you want to work in a regulated occupation, contact the regulatory body to learn about the type of language proficiency test required in the evaluation or assessment.
Be sure to ask for information on the parts of the process you can do or begin before you leave your home country. For example, you may need to:
- Prepare or obtain documents from your home licensing body or educational institution;
- Improve your English to meet the language requirements of the occupation; and
- Begin necessary international educational assessment.
The employer or regulatory body may ask you for the following employment-related documents. Make sure to bring them with you to Saskatchewan:
- School records, education diplomas and certificates. This includes transcripts listing all courses completed to obtain a degree or certificate;
- Professional or occupation licence or certificate from the regulatory body in your home country;
- Letters of reference from former employers;
- Photocopies of all essential and important documents in case the originals get lost (be sure to keep the photocopies in a separate place from the originals); and
- Translated versions of the documents if the original documents are not in English or French.
Learn English
English is the main language in Saskatchewan. Good English skills will help you search for a job, access services, communicate with people, participate in activities in your new community and settle successfully.
Learn or improve your English while you are still in your home country. You can take an online self-assessment to find out your current language level. It is recommended that you access English classes available in your home country. Many on-line language courses are also available. After you arrive in Saskatchewan, there are also programs to help you learn or improve your English.
Other Important Things to Do Before You Arrive in Saskatchewan
Before you come to Saskatchewan:
- Gather and bring all official documents belonging to you and the family members who are immigrating with you. Common documents include:
- Birth certificate or baptismal certificate;
- Passport;
- Marriage, separation or divorce documents;
- Adoption record for any adopted children;
- Death certificate for a deceased spouse;
- School records, educational diplomas and certificates, including transcripts listing the courses you took to obtain a degree or certificate;
- Medical records (prescriptions, test results, x-rays, allergies, etc.) and dental records;
- Car registration (if you are importing a motor vehicle into Canada);
- Photocopies of all essential and important documents, in case the originals get lost (be sure to keep the photocopies in a separate place from the originals); and
- Translated versions of the documents, if the original documents are not in English or French.
- Find a place to stay for the first few weeks in Saskatchewan before you find a permanent place to live;
- If you have found a job, learn about your employer;
- Learn about Saskatchewan's Regional Newcomer Gateways which are welcome centres for newcomers arriving in Saskatchewan;
- Learn more about French language settlement resources;
- Learn more about Saskatchewan and the city or town where you will move to; and
- Learn about the weather in Saskatchewan and bring appropriate clothes with you.