Entrepreneur and Farm Categories: Procedures and Guidelines

To be eligible for nomination you must meet the criteria of the SINP and provide all of the required documents listed below. Please note that the application fee, if applicable to the category you are applying, is non-refundable.

Applications in each category will be processed in the order that they are received. The SINP reserves the right to prioritize applications to meet the Government of Saskatchewan's strategic priorities. To check current application processing times please visit Application Processing Times.

Before you apply to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), please review the eligibility criteria and required documents needed to apply to the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator categories detailed below.

Entrepreneur Category

The Entrepreneur Category is for foreign nationals who wish to obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan.

There are four steps to the nomination process:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP

2. EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application

• Candidates' EOIs are selected based on their points score with those with the highest points selected during each draw. The number selected is dependent on program requirements (e.g. application inventory).
• After candidates are invited to apply, applications are processed in the order that they are received.

3. Business Establishment

4. Nomination

Through the SINP Entrepreneur Program, you and your family can start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is for international students graduating from as Saskatchewan institution who want to become an entrepreneur. Through the SINP Entrepreneur Program, you and your family can start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan.

There are four steps to the nomination process:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP

2. EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application

• Candidates' EOIs are selected based on their points score with those with the highest points selected during each draw. The number selected is dependent on program requirements (e.g. application inventory).
• After candidates are invited to apply, applications are processed in the order that they are received.

3. Business Establishment

4. Nomination

Through the SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Program, you can start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan.

Farm Owner and Operator Category

The Farm Owner and Operator Category is for foreign nationals who'd like to move to Saskatchewan and who:

• Have proven experience in farming;
• Have considerable capital (money, assets) to invest in a farming operation; and
• Plan to buy and run a farm in Saskatchewan.

Please note this category is strictly for business in primary agricultural production (crops and livestock). If you're interested in agri-business operations, you may qualify under the SINP Entrepreneur Category

To simplify the application process, please ensure that you have obtained the required documents and have the information below in hand.

Document checklists are available online and can be located at:

• Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist

• Farm Owner and Operate Document Checklist
• Third Party Farm Owner and Operator Category Document Checklist

• International Graduate Entrepreneur Checklist

Before moving on to the next step, review and organize your completed forms and supporting documents to make sure that you have a complete application package.

Applicants can only have one active application with the SINP at any one time. Multiple applications will not be accepted.

Entrepreneur Categories:

• Apply at SINP Apply Online. Note: if you received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) as an Expression of Interest (EOI) candidate then you must login using the same account that you created for your EOI profile.
• Pay the application processing fee.
• Complete the different sections of your online application within 3 months. Scan and upload all of your completed forms and required documents in PDF format onto your online application. Keep the originals for your records. Save the application and submit your application online.
• Within 6 months of selection, submit your Third Party Financial Verification Report.
• After you have submitted your application and the Third Party Verification Report within the allotted time frame we will assess your application.

Farm Owner and Operator Category:

• Please scan and send in the required documents to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca. If your application is complete, we will refer you to a Third Party for a financial review.
• Within 12 months of referral, submit your Third Party Financial Verification Report.
• If the Third Party Financial Verification Report meets criteria, you will be advised to pay the non-refundable application processing fee.
• After you have submitted your application, the Third Party Verification Report and the non-refundable processing fee within the allotted time frame we will assess your application.
• See the Saskatchewan Farm Land Security Board to learn more about farm ownership legislation.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category:

• Apply at SINP Apply Online. Note: if you received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) as an Expression of Interest (EOI) candidate then you must login using the same account that you created for your EOI profile.
• Complete the different sections of your online application within 3 months. Scan and upload all of your completed forms and required documents in PDF format onto your online application. Keep the originals for your records. Save the application and submit your application online.

Pre-screening

• The first step in processing your application is called the pre-screen. During a pre-screen your application will be checked for completeness. Your application will be considered complete if all of the documents listed in OASIS have been submitted.
• If your application is complete then it will be moved on for further assessment.
• If your application is incomplete then you will receive a letter by email listing the documents missing from your application. An application is considered incomplete when there are missing or invalid supporting documents (e.g. blank, partially completed, unidentifiable or irrelevant documents).
• Your application will be closed if you fail to provide the requested missing documents. If your application is closed then you will have to start the application process again if you choose to re-apply.

Criteria Assessment and Recommendation

• The second step in processing your complete application is called the assessment. During the assessment your complete application will be reviewed to determine if you provided the information required to meet the criteria of the category that you applied under.
• If we require more information from you to process your application then we will send you a letter by email requesting you to submit the information and/or documents directly on the OASIS system or requesting an in-person or telephone interview. The absence of the information that was requested may mean that the SINP cannot verify that you meet requirements which may result in your application being deemed ineligible.
• Note that by submitting an application to the SINP, you have given us permission to verify the information that you have provided without additional approval.

Decision

• The final step in processing your application is called the decision. Based on the assessment we will determine whether you are eligible for nomination under the SINP.
• Multiple decision points exist for the Entrepreneur and Farm Owner and Operator categories.
• For example, a decision is made as to whether or not an Entrepreneur candidate is eligible for a Work Permit Support Letter, which will allow them to come to Saskatchewan and establish their business. 
• Further in the process, another decision will be made about their establishment success and whether or not they are eligible for a nomination.

Withdrawing an Application

• You may withdraw your application at any time unless a Program Integrity Review is underway.
• Your request to withdraw your application must be sent to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca and include the reason(s) for the request.
• If a Program Integrity Review of your application is underway when we receive your request to withdraw your application, then the SINP may deny your request until the investigation of your application has concluded.

Ineligible Applications

• If your application has not been approved, then we will send you and/or your representative a letter by email notifying you that you are not eligible for nomination by the SINP.
• An application will be considered ineligible if any of the following occurs:
  • You do not meet the program criteria;
  • You do not submit documentation that we requested within the timeframe set by the SINP;
  • You do not submit documentation with information that is verifiable; and
  • You do not establish that your intent to live and work in Saskatchewan is genuine and true.
• If your application was deemed ineligible and you'd like to reapply, please note that:
  • You may reapply to the SINP only after the reasons for the ineligible decision have been addressed;
  • Applicants who have been suspended by either IRCC or the SINP cannot reapply to the SINP until the suspension has been lifted;
  • The resubmitted application will be subject to the same processes, processing times and procedures as all incoming applications; and
  • Applicants who were refused by the SINP may still apply to IRCC under a federal immigration class, if they feel they meet the criteria.

Revision or Extension for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

• A TWP support letter is valid for three months. If required, support for an extension or revision to a TWP may be requested. If you require a support letter for an extension or revision to a TWP:
  • You must submit an email to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca while ensuring you are in compliance with the BPA and up to date with business reporting. The request must come from you or your authorized representative.
• Requests to support a revised or extended TWP are subject to review and updated support letters are issued at the discretion of the SINP.
• Support for revisions and/or extensions to a TWP will be valid for three months.

A Nomination Certificate is valid for six months. An amendment to a Nomination Certificate includes a time extension and/or a revision. If you'd like to amend your Nomination Certificate, you must submit an email request that must come from you or your authorized representative. Please send this information to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca.

• We may consult with IRCC to determine what stage of assessment your application is in, and whether a change may be made at that time.
• Any changes to the conditions of a nomination will be communicated to IRCC.
• Revisions and/or extensions of a nomination certificate will be valid for three months:
  • Applicants must be residing in the province and actively managing and operating their business in order to be eligible to apply for a nomination extension or revision.
  • A maximum of two extensions may be given e.g. if IRCC requests an extension or requires re-application, if there are delays in obtaining a police certificate, technical delivery errors on the SINP's part, etc.).
  • A revision may be made to information provided to IRCC on your Nomination Certificate. This could happen if there's a change to passports, or if there's a request made by IRCC or the SINP.
  • Revisions will not be made to the Nomination Certificate to add or remove a spouse (if married or divorced) or new dependent family members and children added after nomination).
    • A revised Certificate of Nomination is not required in order for the nominee to proceed with his or her application for permanent residence as long as the change in marital status or pregnancy and/or birth has been disclosed directly to the processing IRCC visa post.

If your application was deemed ineligible by the SINP and you believe that an error was made during application processing or in the assessment of the application based on the criteria at the time of application, then you may request a second review.

Second reviews are based on the information contained in the original application. As a result, you may not submit new supporting documents unless a processing or procedural error was made by the SINP that resulted in the submitted information not being considered in the original assessment.

Please note that you can only have one application in process at any time which means that you cannot submit a new application to the SINP while a second review is underway. In order to have a new application accepted by the SINP before a second review decision has been made, you will need to cancel your request for a second review.

To request a second review, you must submit a request by email to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca within 30 days of the date that the SINP issued the ineligible letter.

• A request for a second review will not be considered if your request is made and received after 30 days of the day the SINP issued your ineligible letter.
• If your request is accepted, an appeal record will be created on your behalf and you will be notified by letter that your application has been placed under second review. Your application will then be reviewed in full by the Director of the Entrepreneur and Farm Unit.
• Applications under second review are processed according to a queue system and will be subject to the same processing times and procedures as all incoming requests. A second review will typically take a minimum of two months to process. Once the review is complete then you will be notified of the second review decision by email.
• If the ineligible decision is overturned through a second review, your application may be approved for a nomination, or additional or updated information may be required from you in order to conclude the review.
• If the ineligible decision is upheld after the second review then the file will be closed. There is no further appeal or review of this application.

If there are grounds to believe that an applicant and/or their representative have provided false information on an application, then our Program Integrity Unit (PIU) will undertake an investigation for misrepresentation.

Reasons leading to this review may include, but are not limited to:

• false declaration;
• fraudulent document(s);
• information that is misleading;
• important information that is required but was not disclosed;
• abuse and inappropriate use of the program; and/or
• contraventions of federal and provincial laws and policies related to immigration.

An investigation for misrepresentation can take place at any stage of the SINP process and it may include reviewing all of the information that was provided in an applicant's current or previous applications.

If misrepresentation is suspected, then we will place the processing of the application on hold pending an investigation. The applicant or their representative, if applicable, will be sent a Letter of Procedural Fairness by email outlining the grounds that we have to believe that misrepresentation has occurred.

• Upon receipt of the letter, the applicant will have an opportunity to submit evidence within ten (10) days to prove that they did not commit misrepresentation.
• A decision will be made after the PIU considers the information provided by the applicant in response to the Letter of Procedural Fairness.
• PIU decisions may include making the application PIU ineligible with or without a suspension.
• If misrepresentation is found to have taken place then the applicant may be suspended from using the SINP for two years.
• If misrepresentation is found to not have taken place, then the application will be returned to processing.
• Representatives and employers may also be subject to investigation or court ordered penalties under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act if we have grounds to believe there has been misrepresentation associated with them.

SINP does not have an appeal process for applications that have been found PIU ineligible. Applications that have been made PIU ineligible are not considered for a second review.

A Nomination Certificate may be withdrawn under the following circumstances:

• If we receive information from IRCC or other sources that fraud or misrepresentation has taken place in your application;
• If circumstances have changed after your nomination and you are no longer meeting the conditions of your nomination;
• If you or your representative, if applicable, have voluntarily requested to withdraw your nomination or you have been approved for permanent residency (PR) through an immigration program other than the SINP; and/or
• If SINP has been notified that you have been approved for PR through an immigration program other than the SINP.

We will examine each individual case to determine whether we must conduct a Program Integrity Review related to the nomination certificate withdrawal. If an investigation is undertaken then we may request information from the nominee.

If, following an investigation, we find that a nomination withdrawal is warranted based on the circumstances above then we will withdraw the nomination certificate or support IRCC's refusal of the nominee's application for PR. The individual will then be notified in a letter sent by email from SINP or the IRCC. If misrepresentation is found to have taken place then the applicant may be suspended from using the SINP for two years in addition to the withdrawal of the nomination certificate.

If following an investigation, we find that a nomination withdrawal is not warranted, then we will maintain the nomination.
IRCC has final authority to refuse a nominee's application for PR.

• SINP may support IRCC's decision to refuse your application for PR by withdrawing your nomination certificate if we are in agreement with the reasons of refusal. You will be notified of the decision by email from the SINP.

When conducting a review of a nomination certificate, IRCC will be contacted and the application for PR (on the basis of the certificate) will be placed on hold. We will inform IRCC of our decision to maintain or withdraw the nomination.