SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Category (Closed): Options for Graduates

No. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) posted this notice on the category page: effective March 27, 2025, the SINP permanently closed all Entrepreneur and Farm immigration pathways. That includes the International Graduate Entrepreneur category. As a result:

• no new applications are accepted
• no new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are considered
• no further invitations to apply are issued

Applications already in the system continue to be processed to completion. The closure also covered the main Entrepreneur category and the Farm Owner and Operator category.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur category was built for a specific group: international students who graduated from a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution and chose to start or buy a business in the province instead of working for an employer.

In general terms, graduates had to:

• hold a qualifying credential from a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution
• have valid status to stay in Canada, usually a post-graduation work permit
• own and actively manage a business in Saskatchewan for a period of time
• meet ownership, language and business activity rules set by the SINP

It filled a gap, because self-employment usually does not count for worker programs. Once the category closed, that gap came back for Saskatchewan graduates who run their own businesses.

Saskatchewan says it will process applications already in the system to completion. If you applied before the closure:

• Keep operating your business as described in your application and keep detailed records: financial statements, tax filings, payroll and proof of your active management role.
• Watch your immigration status. If your post-graduation work permit or other permit will expire, apply to extend before the expiry date where you are eligible. See our guide on extending your status and maintained status.
• Contact the SINP at 1-833-613-0485 or through the email contact listed on its website if you have questions about your file.

If your permit has expired or is about to, or you received a refusal, speak with a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC) as soon as you can. Use our guide on how to verify a lawyer or consultant.

If you are willing to work for an employer

The strongest route for Saskatchewan graduates in 2026 is the SINP Students sub-category. It needs a Saskatchewan post-secondary credential, six months (780 hours) of paid Saskatchewan work related to your field, and a permanent, full-time job offer in a TEER 0 to 3 occupation or designated trade. Saskatchewan reserves 750 nominations in 2026 for its graduates with job offers in priority sectors: health care, agriculture, skilled trades, energy, mining, manufacturing and technology.

Other Saskatchewan options:

• Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit after six months with your employer
• the Health Talent, Agriculture Talent and Innovation and Tech Talent pathways

Federal options

• Canadian Experience Class: needs skilled Canadian work experience as an employee. Self-employment does not count toward it.
• Start-Up Visa: closed December 31, 2025. People with a 2025 commitment could apply until June 30, 2026, and a new entrepreneur pilot has been promised.

Other provinces' graduate business streams

Alberta's Graduate Entrepreneur Stream and Manitoba's International Student Entrepreneur Pilot are for graduates of schools in those provinces, so a Saskatchewan credential usually does not qualify. Read each page for the current rules.

This table compares the main options for international graduates of Saskatchewan schools (as of September 2026):

The pattern is clear: in 2026, nearly every open route for Saskatchewan graduates depends on working for an employer. If you have been running a business on a post-graduation work permit, consider whether a paid job in your field could put you on a worker route before your permit ends. Six months of related paid work can be enough for the Students sub-category, as long as you also meet its job offer and permit rules.

Be careful with anyone who offers to "convert" your business into an immigration route, or who asks you to pay for a job offer from a friendly company. Saskatchewan's employer steps require real, permanent, full-time jobs. Read our guide to immigration scams before you pay anyone.

If you are still studying in Saskatchewan and hoped to use this category later, adjust your plan now:

• Aim for work in your field during and after your studies, because the Students sub-category needs six months of related Saskatchewan work.
• Consider fields that fall in Saskatchewan's priority sectors, since study permit holders need a priority-sector job offer and the 750 reserved spaces are for priority sectors.
• Check your post-graduation work permit eligibility early, so you have time to build experience after graduating.
• If you want to run a business, you can still do so later as a permanent resident. Many graduates get permanent residence as employees first and start a business afterward.

For more on the province, see our Saskatchewan guide and the Provincial Nominee Program overview.