Last Updated:September 24, 2026
Supervised by Toko Gould (Immigration Consultant)
What is the Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway?
The Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway is a category for highly skilled workers in Saskatchewan’s technology and innovation sectors. The program requires that you hold a job offer in a skilled occupation from an employer in Saskatchewan, that you meet the program’s selection criteria, and that you intend to settle permanently in Saskatchewan. Note that those who are nominated while holding a work permit must continue to reside in Saskatchewan. Through this stream, you can aim for a smooth move to Saskatchewan’s rapidly growing tech industry and for permanent residence.
Eligibility requirements (Non-Express Entry)
You may be eligible to apply if you live outside Canada, or hold legal status in Canada (refugee claimants excluded), and meet the requirements below.
Work experience
- If you are applying from within Saskatchewan:
- You must currently have at least 6 months (780 hours) of full-time work experience (30 or more hours per week) with the employer in Saskatchewan that issued the Employer Position Assessment (EPA).
- If you do not meet the period above, you must have at least one year of work experience in total in that occupation within the past 5 years.
- If you are applying from outside Canada or from another province:
- You must have at least one year of skilled work experience related to the occupation you intend to apply under, gained within the past 5 years.
Language ability (English or French)
- If you are currently working for the employer: you must meet the language standard required by the employer.
- If you are not currently working for the employer: you must have language ability of CLB 5 or higher.
You need a score of CLB 5 or higher on an English or French language test designated by the immigration authorities, taken within 2 years before the date of application. Use the table below to check whether your score corresponds to CLB 5.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB5 | IELTS | English | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| PTE Core | English | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 | |
| TEF Test taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 352-392 | 330-378 | 352-392 | 387-421 | |
| TEF Test taken between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023 |
French | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | |
| TCF | French | 375-405 | 6.0 | 369-397 | 6.0 |
Education
You must have completed post-secondary education related to the occupation in which you received the job offer (a university master’s or bachelor’s degree, or a two- to three-year degree or diploma from a university, college, technical or vocational institution).
Employment in Saskatchewan and intention to reside
- You must hold a job offer for permanent, full-time employment in an eligible occupation from a company in Saskatchewan’s tech or innovation sector.
- The employer must be registered with the SINP and hold a valid Employer Position Assessment (EPA).
- You must intend to live and work in Saskatchewan.
Eligibility requirements (Express Entry)
Individuals whose profile is in the federal Express Entry pool may also be able to use this stream. If you are nominated through this route, federal processing is prioritized and permanent residence can usually be expected within 6 months.
Express Entry requirements
- You must hold a valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code.
- You must meet the language standard set by federal Express Entry.
You need a score of CLB 7 or higher on an English or French language test designated by the immigration authorities, taken within 2 years before the date of application. Use the table below to check whether your score corresponds to CLB 7.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB7 | IELTS | English | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| PTE Core | English | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 | |
| TEF Test taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 434-461 | 428-471 | 434-461 | 456-493 | |
| TEF Test taken between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023 |
French | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | |
| TCF | French | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
Work experience requirements
- If you are applying from within Saskatchewan:
- You must currently have at least 6 months (780 hours) of full-time work experience (30 or more hours per week) with the employer in Saskatchewan that issued the Employer Position Assessment (EPA).
- If you do not meet the period above, you must have at least one year of work experience in total in that occupation within the past 5 years.
- If you are applying from outside Canada or from another province:
- You must have at least one year of skilled work experience related to the occupation you intend to apply under, gained within the past 5 years.
Education
You must have completed post-secondary education related to the occupation in which you received the job offer (a university master’s or bachelor’s degree, or a two- to three-year degree or diploma from a university, college, technical or vocational institution).
Employment in Saskatchewan and intention to reside
- You must hold a job offer for permanent, full-time employment in an eligible occupation from a company in Saskatchewan’s tech or innovation sector.
- The employer must be registered with the SINP and hold a valid Employer Position Assessment (EPA).
- You must intend to live and work in Saskatchewan.
Designated eligible occupations (NOC)
NOC list
20012
Computer and information systems managers
21100
Physicists and astronomers
21101
Chemists
21102
Geoscientists and oceanographers
21109
Other professional occupations in physical sciences
21110
Biologists and related scientists
21112
Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
21211
Data scientists
21220
Cybersecurity specialists
21221
Business system specialists
21222
Information System specialists
21223
Database analysts and data administrators
21230
Computer systems developers and programmers
21231
Software engineers and designers
21232
Software developers and programmers
21233
Web designers
21234
Web developers and programmers
21310
Electrical and Electronics engineers
21311
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
21320
Chemical engineers
21322
Metallurgical and materials engineers
21330
Mining engineers
21331
Geological engineers
21332
Petroleum engineers
22100
Chemical technologists and technicians
22101
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
22110
Biological technologists and technicians
22214
Technological occupations in geomatics and meteorology
22220
Computer network and web technicians
22221
User support technicians
22222
Information systems testing technicians
22301
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
[Note: professional licensing]
If you apply as an engineer (NOC 21310-21332, etc.) or an agricultural specialist (NOC 21112), you may be required to provide proof of registration approval or examination from the relevant Saskatchewan professional body, such as APEGS or the SIA.
Who cannot apply, and cases that are refused
Who cannot apply under this category
- Individuals who have made a refugee claim to the Government of Canada.
Cases in which an application may be refused
- Where not all required documents were submitted with the application.
- Where you cannot demonstrate your intention to live and work in Saskatchewan.
Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway application process
01Obtain a job offer from an employer
Obtain a job offer in an eligible innovation or technology occupation in Saskatchewan. When looking for work, the provincial government’s job board Saskjobs.ca and similar sites can also be useful.
02The employer obtains an Employer Position Assessment (EPA)
The employer obtains an Employer Position Assessment from the SINP and has the job offer approved. Ask the employer for the approved letter.
03Create a SINP online account and apply
Create an account in the SINP online application system, upload the required documents in PDF format and submit the application. Note that applications with missing documents or without attached translations will be returned.
04SINP assessment and receipt of the provincial nomination
Once the application passes the SINP assessment, Saskatchewan issues a provincial nomination.
05Apply for permanent residence to Canadian immigration authorities
After receiving the provincial nomination, submit a permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applications linked to Express Entry (EE) receive priority processing.
06IRCC assessment
Once the permanent residence application has been submitted and IRCC completes its assessment, the applicant receives a letter called the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR), and the permanent residence assessment is complete.
07Landing
Applicants from outside Canada enter Canada with their CoPR. Applicants inside Canada can complete the landing procedure online.
08Receive your PR card
A few months after landing, the PR card is delivered to the address you provided in Canada.
Free Consultations and Inquiries
Feel free to get in touch!
Immigration Consultant
Toko Gould
Born in Japan. Worked as a registered dietitian in hospitals and other facilities. Moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2001 on a Working Holiday. Later utilized her professional background to obtain a work visa, then Canadian permanent residency as a skilled worker. Studied Oil and Gas Administration at a college in Alberta, then worked at a U.S.-based oil company. Later studied accounting and transitioned into an accounting role.
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