Saskatchewan International Graduate Entrepreneur

Saskatchewan International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is a subcategory of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) that allows recent graduates of Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions who have started or acquired a business in Saskatchewan to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

To be eligible for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category, candidates must have completed a full-time post-secondary program in Saskatchewan and have a valid post-graduation work permit. Candidates must also own at least one-third of the business, have actively operated the business for at least one year, and have a business plan that demonstrates that the business has the potential to contribute to the provincial economy.

Once nominated by the SINP, candidates can apply for permanent residency in Canada. This stream is designed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in Saskatchewan and to retain talented graduates in the province.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category also provides support and resources to help individuals start and grow their businesses in Saskatchewan. This includes access to resources such as government funding, business support programs, and mentorship opportunities.

Eligible Business

An applicant’s business must have the potential to create economic benefit to Saskatchewan, such as:

• Increasing value-added manufacturing or processing, exports, destination tourism, research and development and technology commercialization,
• Developing new or innovative approaches to traditional businesses,
• Transferring technology and specialized knowledge to Saskatchewan; and
• Providing products or services to an under-served local or regional market.

If an applicant purchases an existing Saskatchewan business, then the following criteria must be met:

• The business must have been in continuous operation in Saskatchewan by the same owner for the previous three years (before purchase); and
• Applicants must maintain the business’s staff levels and remuneration (i.e., employment on similar terms and conditions for existing staff, including maintaining existing wages and employment terms).

How to Apply

Online through SINP portal

Process

• Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the SINP
• Invitation to Apply
• Nomination

Expression of Interest System

To submit an EOI, you must

1. Meet the Minimum Eligibility Criteria, and
2. Complete the points grid questions in order to calculate your self-assessed EOI score and submit your EOI into the pool of candidates.

Submitting EOI

• By online portal.
• No fee.
• Ranked based on points.
• Application will be in the EOI pool for 12 months. If not selected in the period, they can resubmit.

EOI Selections and Your Invitation

• If EOI is selected invitation to Submit an Application (ISA) letter will be issued.
• You will have 30 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
  • Submit your complete electronic Application, including all required supporting documents.

Program Requirements

Minimum Eligibility Criteria to Submit an EOI

• Are at least 21 years of age.
• Have completed a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma of at least two years from an eligible Saskatchewan institution.
• Have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit, with at least 24 months remaining.
• Have lived in Saskatchewan during their academic program (no distance-learning programs or accelerated academic programs are eligible).
• Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7.

Those chosen from the EOI pool, invited to apply, and approved by the SINP must

1. Reside in Saskatchewan.
2. Actively own and operate a business in Saskatchewan for at least one year prior to applying
3. Own at least one-third (33%) of the business and take part in the day-to-day management. Ownership must be the result of a verifiable investment made directly by the applicant, either from their own equity or from an eligible source.
4. Demonstrate that the business is generating the minimum required revenue amount after one year of operation.
   • Please refer to the “Eligible Sources of Investments/Revenue” section of the Application Guide.
   • To prove this, applicants must submit the documents outlined in the checklist.
   • Applicants must use a professional third-party financial service provider when providing these documents.
5. Sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) with the Government of Saskatchewan.

Application Assessment

• Supporting documents must include your Business Establishment Plan (BEP).
• Your application will be assessed against the Eligibility Criteria and your EOI Points Assessment will be verified.
• Participate in a final in-person interview.
• If you meet the program criteria, you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for your review and signature.
• After the SINP receives your signed BPA, they will issue a SINP Approval Letter.

Ineligibility

The following persons are not eligible to apply:

• Refugee claimants in Canada who are claiming refugee status from the Government of Canada.
• People living illegally in Canada.
• Persons who have had a removal order issued against them by IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency.

Whom to Include in Your Application

Accompanying dependents include your:

• Spouse
• Common-law partner
• Dependent children

Establishing Your Business

Upon approval, you are required to:

• Reside in Saskatchewan and actively operate your business on a day-to-day basis.
• Establish, purchase, or continue to operate your business as per the requirements of your BPA and your BEP.
• Submit the Business Establishment Progress Report 12 months after the Approval Letter date, found on the website under “Application Forms”, outlining your business establishment activities to date. This is submitted online through your Oasis account.
• When you have fulfilled the terms of your BPA, including meeting minimum income requirements, submit your application for nomination.
• Only approved applicants that can demonstrate a minimum of 12 months of active business operation are eligible for nomination.

Application for Nomination

• In order to be eligible to apply for nomination you must live in Saskatchewan, actively operate your business for at least 12 months, and comply with your BPA.
• To apply for nomination you must complete, scan and email your completed application for nomination form to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca.
• If approved for nomination the SINP will:
  • Send a nomination certificate to IRCC.
  • Send a nomination letter to you explaining how to forward your permanent residency application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO).
• If nominated, you must continue to meet the requirements of your BPA during the Permanent Residence application process.
• Nominees that close or sell their business during these processes will have their nominations revoked.
• Nomination applications that are closed due to failure to submit required information are not eligible for Second Review.

Application for Permanent Residence

To gain permanent residence status, you must apply to IRCC with your SINP nomination.

• Ensure you maintain your legal status in Canada.
• Have a valid TWP while you are waiting for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.