Saskatchewan has recently introduced dedicated immigration pathways to bolster its healthcare sector, addressing critical labor shortages and inviting skilled international professionals to contribute to the province’s growing communities. Launched on August 30, 2024, under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), these new initiatives, collectively known as the Saskatchewan Health Care Program, are designed to streamline the immigration process for healthcare workers and ensure the province has the talent it needs to provide excellent patient care.
Minister of Immigration and Career Training, Jeremy Harrison, stated, “Saskatchewan continues to align its immigration program with current labour market needs. These new pathways will attract internationally skilled workers with industry-specific experience to fill in-demand jobs in healthcare and agriculture. With labour shortages reported across the country, creating new provincial immigration pathways and streamlining our credential recognition process will help employers in Saskatchewan acquire the workforce needed to grow their businesses.”
This commitment is clearly reflected in the Health Talent Pathway, a core component of the Saskatchewan Health Care Program, which offers two distinct streams: Non-Express Entry and Express Entry. Both streams are tailored to attract healthcare professionals to permanent, full-time positions within Saskatchewan’s healthcare system.
Health Talent Pathway: Non-Express Entry Stream
The Non-Express Entry stream of the Health Talent Pathway is for candidates who may be living outside Canada or have legal status within Canada (excluding refugee claimants). This stream provides a direct route to provincial nomination for permanent residency, provided applicants meet specific criteria focused on their skills and experience in healthcare.
Non-Express Entry Stream: Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible under the Non-Express Entry stream of the Saskatchewan Health Care Program, candidates must demonstrate they meet the following requirements:
- Language Proficiency: Applicants need to prove their proficiency in English or French with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5. This ensures effective communication in healthcare settings.
- Relevant Work Experience:
- For those already in Saskatchewan: If currently employed in Saskatchewan, candidates need at least six months (780 hours) of full-time work (30+ hours per week) with the healthcare employer who has provided a Job Approval Letter.
- For those outside Saskatchewan or not working full-time: Applicants must possess at least one year of work experience in their healthcare occupation within the last five years. This ensures recent and relevant experience.
- Saskatchewan Licensing: Eligibility for Saskatchewan licensing is crucial for regulated healthcare occupations. Applicants must demonstrate they can obtain the necessary professional licensure in Saskatchewan.
- Educational Qualifications: Post-secondary education relevant to the offered healthcare position is mandatory. This could include a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, a three-year university degree, or a two-year diploma, ensuring a strong educational foundation.
- Intent to Reside in Saskatchewan: Candidates must declare their genuine intention to live and work in Saskatchewan permanently, contributing to the province’s healthcare system long-term.
- Valid Job Offer: A critical requirement is a valid, permanent, full-time job offer in Saskatchewan’s healthcare sector. This offer must be supported by a SINP Job Approval Letter from a Saskatchewan healthcare employer.
Alt Text: Dedicated healthcare team collaborating on patient care in Saskatchewan, reflecting the province’s commitment to strong healthcare services.
The Non-Express Entry stream of the Saskatchewan Health Care Program welcomes applications from a wide range of high and intermediate-skilled health occupations, as detailed in the table below:
| NOC | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31111 | Optometrists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31201 | Chiropractors |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 32100 | Opticians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32110 | Denturists |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists n.e.c |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 32209 | Other practitioners of natural healing |
| 33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
| 44101 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
Health Talent Pathway: Express Entry Stream
For healthcare professionals seeking expedited immigration to Saskatchewan, the Express Entry stream within the Saskatchewan Health Care Program offers priority processing. Permanent residency applications under this stream are anticipated to be processed within six months or less, making it an attractive option for eligible candidates.
Express Entry Stream: Key Eligibility Criteria
The Express Entry stream of the Saskatchewan Health Care Program has specific requirements that align with the federal Express Entry system, focusing on highly skilled healthcare professionals:
- Express Entry Profile: Applicants must have a valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code. This indicates they are already in the federal Express Entry pool.
- Enhanced Language Proficiency: A higher language proficiency is required for this stream, with a CLB level of 7 or higher in English or French. This reflects the demands of high-skilled healthcare roles.
- Skilled Work Experience: Candidates need at least one year of high-skilled work experience in their intended healthcare occupation within the past five years. This ensures recent and advanced expertise.
- Saskatchewan Licensing (if applicable): Similar to the Non-Express Entry stream, eligibility for Saskatchewan licensing is essential for regulated healthcare professions.
- Educational Attainment: Relevant post-secondary education, such as a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, a three-year degree, or a two-year diploma, is required to demonstrate a strong academic background.
- Intent to Reside in Saskatchewan: Applicants must formally declare their intention to live and work permanently in Saskatchewan, contributing to the province’s healthcare sector long-term.
- Qualifying Job Offer: A valid job offer for a permanent, full-time healthcare sector position in Saskatchewan is mandatory, along with a supporting SINP Job Approval Letter.
Alt Text: Compassionate nurse supporting a senior patient in Saskatchewan, illustrating the caring environment of the province’s healthcare program.
Eligible occupations under the Express Entry stream of the Saskatchewan Health Care Program mirror those under the Non-Express Entry stream, encompassing a broad spectrum of essential healthcare roles:
| NOC | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31111 | Optometrists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31201 | Chiropractors |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 32100 | Opticians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32110 | Denturists |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists n.e.c |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 32209 | Other practitioners of natural healing |
| 33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
Agriculture Talent Pathway: Supporting Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Sector
While the primary focus here is the Saskatchewan Health Care Program, it’s important to note that Saskatchewan also launched the Agriculture Talent Pathway concurrently. This pathway addresses labor needs in the agricultural sector, offering immigration opportunities for individuals with experience in farming and related occupations. Details on this pathway are available in the original article and on the official SINP website.
Program Closures and Transition
Alongside these new pathways, Saskatchewan has streamlined its immigration offerings by closing several existing categories under the SINP as of August 30, 2024. These closures include the Hard to Fill Skills Pilot, Hospitality Sector Project, Long Haul Truck Driver Project, Semi-Skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit, and specific categories under Health Professionals (Physicians, Nurses, and Other Health Professionals). Individuals who were considering these programs are encouraged to explore the new Health Talent Pathway and Agriculture Talent Pathway as potentially suitable alternatives.
Why Saskatchewan for Healthcare Professionals?
Saskatchewan presents a compelling destination for healthcare professionals seeking permanent residency in Canada. The province boasts a strong and growing economy, particularly within the healthcare sector. The Saskatchewan Health Care Program offers a clear and efficient route to immigration, recognizing the critical contributions of healthcare workers. Beyond professional opportunities, Saskatchewan offers welcoming communities, a high quality of life, and a supportive environment for newcomers and their families. By meeting the eligibility criteria for the Health Talent Pathway, healthcare professionals can secure their future in a province that values their skills and dedication.
Take the Next Step in Your Healthcare Career in Saskatchewan
If you are a healthcare professional interested in exploring immigration opportunities through the Saskatchewan Health Care Program, our team of experienced immigration consultants is ready to assist you. We can provide personalized guidance through every stage of the application process, from assessing your eligibility to preparing and submitting your application.
Contact us today for a consultation and learn how we can help you make Saskatchewan your new home and advance your healthcare career in Canada. Let us help you navigate the path to permanent residency and a fulfilling life in Saskatchewan!
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
