SINP Occupation In-Demand: Saskatchewan Route Without a Job Offer

Occupation In-Demand is one of the three original sub-categories of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) International Skilled Worker category. It was built for skilled workers who want to move to Saskatchewan but do not have a job offer there and are not in the federal Express Entry pool.

Instead of applying directly, you create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile. Saskatchewan then holds draws and invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply. If you are invited and approved, you receive a base provincial nomination and apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence outside Express Entry.

If you are eligible for Express Entry, the matching route is Saskatchewan Express Entry. You cannot hold an EOI for both sub-categories at the same time. For an overview of every Saskatchewan route, see our Saskatchewan guide and the Provincial Nominee Program overview.

The sub-category has not been formally closed, and the EOI system still accepts profiles. But Saskatchewan's EOI page states that there are no scheduled EOI draws at this time (as of September 2026). Without draws, nobody is invited to apply, no matter how high their score.

This fits Saskatchewan's 2026 approach. With a smaller allocation of 4,761 nominations, the province is focusing on people with a Saskatchewan employer and on its sector plan:

On top of this, 750 spaces are reserved for graduates of Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions with job offers in priority sectors. Routes tied to a Saskatchewan job, such as Employment Offer and Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit, are where most 2026 nominations go.

Creating a profile does no harm if you qualify, but do not plan your move around an invitation that may not come.

According to the SINP (as of September 2026), you must:

• Score at least 60 of 110 points on the SINP grid. The grid covers education, skilled work experience, language ability, age and connections to Saskatchewan.
• Have at least one year of full-time paid work experience (30 or more hours a week) in the past 10 years in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation that Saskatchewan lists as in demand.
• Have a post-secondary credential (diploma, certificate or degree) related to your intended occupation. Your experience must also relate to your education.
• Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-approved organization if your credential is from outside Canada. See our ECA guide.
• Reach at least CLB 4 in English or French, with results less than two years old. Some employers and regulators expect more.
• Show settlement funds that meet the SINP minimum for your household size, held for three months before you apply and throughout processing.
• Avoid the Excluded Occupation List and, for regulated jobs, meet Saskatchewan licensing rules.

The SINP's International Skilled Worker EOI system works like this:

• An EOI is not an application. It is an online form that shows your interest and your qualifications.
• There is no limit on how many people can submit an EOI, but each person can have only one profile.
• You must choose either Occupation In-Demand or Saskatchewan Express Entry. You cannot have both.
• When Saskatchewan holds a draw, it invites the highest-ranked candidates. The number of invitations depends on annual targets and employment demand.
• A score of 60 makes you eligible to be in the pool. It does not mean you will be invited, because only the highest-ranked profiles are picked when a draw happens.

Keep your profile accurate. If your details change, such as a new language test or more experience, update the profile. False information can lead to refusal.

Because you do not have a job offer, Saskatchewan wants proof that you can support yourself and your family while you settle. The SINP publishes a Minimum Funds Required table based on household size. You must hold at least that amount for three months before you apply and keep it through processing.

The SINP sets its own figures, which can differ from the federal Express Entry proof of funds amounts. Check the SINP page for the current table rather than relying on older articles. Our proof of funds guide explains what kinds of bank records immigration officers usually accept.

Saskatchewan keeps its own list of in-demand occupations for this sub-category. Only TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs can qualify, and anything on the Excluded Occupation List cannot. Some occupations, such as many health and engineering jobs, are regulated and need proof that you can be licensed in Saskatchewan.

The list changes over time. Before you submit an EOI, check the current in-demand and excluded lists on the SINP website and make sure your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code matches your real duties.

If you want to move to Saskatchewan now, consider these options:

• Get a Saskatchewan job offer. With an offer and an approved Employer Position Assessment, you can use Employment Offer, which does not depend on draws.
• Check sector pathways. Health workers can use the Health Talent Pathway, tech workers the Innovation and Tech Talent Pathway, and farm workers the Agriculture Talent Pathway. All need a job offer.
• Enter Express Entry. If you qualify for a federal program, federal draws continue. Start with Express Entry and the CRS calculator.
• Look at community routes. Moose Jaw takes part in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, which also needs a job offer from a designated employer.
• Study first. Graduates of Saskatchewan institutions have 750 reserved spaces in 2026 through the Students sub-category. See study permits.