On February 18, 2025, Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) announced it’s temporarily suspending the acceptance of new Job Approval Forms (JAF) due to the Federal Government slashing Saskatchewan’s nomination quota by 50% for 2025.
What is SINP?
The SINP helps skilled foreign workers get permanent residency in Canada with employer support.
Employers must first submit a JAF to get a Job Approval Letter (JAL), which foreign workers use for their nomination applications. With the recent pause, no new employer-backed applications can be submitted for now.
What is a Job Approval Form (JAF)?
A JAF is an approval request from employers wanting to hire foreign workers through SINP. Once approved, they receive a Job Approval Letter (JAL), which allows workers to apply for provincial nomination and later permanent residency. With JAFs on hold, employer-backed applications are temporarily frozen.
Impact on Employers and Workers
With the JAF intake paused, employers looking to keep foreign workers will need to find other solutions:
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): Employers may need to go through an LMIA, which proves they need a foreign worker due to a shortage of local candidates.
- LMIA-exempt Work Permits: Some workers might qualify for a permit without an LMIA, depending on their job category.
- Federal Express Entry System (EES): Skilled workers can apply through Express Entry, which also helps maintain temporary work status while waiting for permanent residency.
What’s Next for SINP?
SINP says this pause is only temporary, but there’s no set date for when JAF intake will resume. It’s also unclear whether there will be changes, like limiting approvals to certain job categories or streams when the program reopens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did SINP pause JAF intake?
Because the federal government cut Saskatchewan’s nomination quota by half for 2025.
2. How does this affect foreign workers?
Employer-supported SINP applications are on hold, so workers may need to find alternative immigration options.
3. What can employers do now?
Employers can look into LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt work permits and explore Express Entry for their workers.
4. When will JAF intake reopen?
There’s no confirmed date, but SINP assures that the pause isn’t permanent.
5. Will SINP change when JAF intake resumes?
Possibly. JAF approvals might be limited to specific occupations or streams when the intake resumes.
This situation is evolving, so keep an eye out for updates. Employers and workers should consider consulting immigration professionals to explore their best options.
