No minimum CRS threshold for Saskatchewan’s new Expression of Interest system linked to federal Express Entry

The Saskatchewan EOI Immigrant Nominee Program’s new Expression of Interest system for its Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand sub-categories has opened.

Before this new system came into operation, Saskatchewan had a first-come, first-served model that was used for these two International Skilled Worker sub-categories. The doors used to be shut to the many qualified applicants who couldn’t get their applications in on time.

This new system allows for the Saskatchewan province to select eligible immigration candidates already in the Federal Express Entry pool and invite them for a provincial nomination. Skilled workers who possess the specified amount of work experience in one of the provinces’ in demand occupations sub category may become eligible to receive the Provincial nomination.

The province feels that the change-over to the new EOI system will allow the SINP to target those immigrants who are most likely to find success in the Saskatchewan labour market. As the SINP says on the webpage outlining the new system, “a goal of the EOI system is to ensure strong economic outcomes and long-term retention in Saskatchewan for those invited to apply.”

Candidates who score at least 60 points on the assessment grid and satisfy other eligibility requirements enter the Saskatchewan pool of candidates for either the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand sub-category and those selected are invited to apply for a provincial nomination through regular draws.

This new system follows other Canadian provinces that are using the merit-based EOI approach to select immigration candidates. The federal government’s Express Entry system also replaced a first come first served model in 2015 and now highest-ranked candidates are selected to apply for Permanent Residence based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Saskatchewan’s EOI system will also give more people an opportunity to compete for a provincial nomination through these sub-categories. These are among the few in Canada that do not require a job offer to be considered for nomination.

With this move to regularize draws instead of occasional openings, it will no longer about the lucky few who were quick enough to apply and the focus will be on skilled immigrants required by the labour market of the province.

This could also be good news for interested Express Entry candidates with lower CRS scores. Saskatchewan’s Express Entry sub-category does not have a minimum CRS score requirement, so anyone eligible for the Express Entry pool can submit an Expression of Interest. A provincial nomination is worth an additional 600 CRS points, which essentially guarantees an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence to all Express Entry candidates who receive one, regardless of their initial CRS score