Saskatchewan Utilizes Over Half of 2026 Provincial Immigration Quota

Saskatchewan has reported that it has used approximately 55% of its 2026 provincial immigration nomination allocation, issuing 2,628 nominations through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) as of June 30, 2026. The annual allocation for 2026 stands at 4,761 nomination spaces, mirroring the finalized quota for the previous year, 2025. The figures were detailed in an update published on the provincial government’s website.

The SINP, Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program, releases updated nomination issuance data each quarter. The current available nomination spaces for the remainder of the year number 2,133. The province has distributed its nomination spaces across three sector categories: priority sectors, capped sectors, and other sectors. For the 2026 program year, 2,380 nomination spaces were allotted to priority sectors, 1,190 to capped sectors, and 1,191 to other sectors.

Capped sectors, which account for 25% of the province’s total nomination allocation, include accommodation and food services, retail trade and other services, as well as trucking. The province limits the number of nominations issued in these sectors each year as a strategy to manage demand and maintain labour market balance. Priority sectors have been identified as healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, mining, manufacturing, energy, and technology. Within the priority-sector allocation, 750 nomination spaces have been reserved specifically for graduates of Saskatchewan-based designated learning institutions who are employed in priority occupations.

The province notes that the 50% target for priority sectors may be exceeded if demand warrants, which could result in a reduced share for other sectors. Saskatchewan plans to conduct a mid-year review to determine if the target for priority sectors remains achievable and to assess whether further nomination spaces should be reallocated among the sector categories.

Sectors not designated as either priority or capped are grouped under 'other sectors.' The allocation and process for these sectors differ from the capped and priority sectors.

For capped sectors, Saskatchewan has instituted fixed intake periods during which applications can be submitted. These intake windows are scheduled throughout the year, with spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the sector’s capacity is reached. The next set of intake windows is staggered by sector and will open on July 6 and July 7. In a change from previous years, the province has separated accommodation and food services into two distinct categories for intake management.

Saskatchewan is also hosting a webinar on July 2 at 11 a.m. to provide further information regarding the upcoming intakes and to address questions about the process. Two additional intake windows for capped sectors are scheduled for later in the year, on September 14 and November 2.

Employers in capped sectors are restricted to applying during designated intake windows and only for workers who have six months or less remaining on their work permit. This contrasts with the process for priority and other sectors, where employers may submit applications at any time, without being limited to specific intake periods.

The SINP’s approach reflects the province’s efforts to align immigration with labour market needs by prioritizing sectors identified as critical to Saskatchewan’s economic strategy. The adjustments made to intake windows and sector definitions are designed to improve management of nomination spaces and better respond to employer demand within various industries.

The process and allocation details outlined in the SINP update demonstrate Saskatchewan’s ongoing efforts to balance provincial labour market requirements with available federal immigration quotas. The province’s review mechanisms, including the planned mid-year assessment, indicate a willingness to adjust allocations dynamically in response to changing demands within the provincial economy.

The ongoing use of fixed intake periods for capped sectors, coupled with the separation of accommodation and food services categories, reflects evolving administrative strategies in provincial immigration management. The scheduled webinars and public updates are intended to inform employers, prospective immigrants, and other stakeholders about the current state of the program and forthcoming opportunities for application.

Saskatchewan’s approach to managing its provincial nominee program, including the distinctions between sector categories and the targeted measures for graduates of local institutions, illustrates a strategy focused on both immediate labour market needs and longer-term economic objectives. The distribution of nomination spaces, review processes, and intake scheduling form integral components of the province’s broader immigration and economic planning.