Saskatchewan Reports Strong Mid-Year Progress in 2026 Immigration Program

July 2, 2026
CIC News Update
Canada, Saskatchewan
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Saskatchewan has reached an important milestone in its provincial immigration program for 2026 after issuing more than half of the nominations allocated for the year. While the province has already welcomed a large number of skilled workers through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), the latest figures show that many nomination opportunities are still available for employers and foreign workers in the months ahead.

The provincial government has also confirmed new application dates for industries that operate under annual nomination limits, giving eligible employers another opportunity to recruit international talent.

Also Read Saskatchewan Crosses Mid-Year Mark in 2026 PNP Nominations

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More Than 2,600 Candidates Receive Saskatchewan Nominations

The latest quarterly statistics released by Saskatchewan show that 2,628 provincial nominations had been issued by June 30, 2026.

For the current year, Saskatchewan received a total allocation of 4,761 nomination spaces, leaving 2,133 nominations still available before the province reaches its annual limit.

The updated figures indicate that Saskatchewan continues to use immigration as a key strategy to address labour shortages while supporting economic growth across multiple industries.

Priority Occupations Continue to Lead Provincial Selection

Rather than distributing nominations equally across all industries, Saskatchewan continues to prioritize sectors where employers face the greatest hiring challenges.

Half of the province’s annual nomination allocation has been dedicated to priority occupations, reflecting Saskatchewan’s focus on filling critical workforce gaps.

The priority sectors for 2026 include:

Healthcare
Agriculture
Skilled trades
Mining
Manufacturing
Energy
Technology

These industries continue to receive the largest share of provincial nominations because of their importance to Saskatchewan’s economy and long-term development.

International Graduates Remain a Key Part of the Strategy

Saskatchewan is also encouraging international graduates to remain in the province after completing their education.

To support this goal, the province has reserved 750 nomination spaces for graduates from eligible Saskatchewan educational institutions who are employed in approved priority occupations.

This initiative helps employers retain skilled workers who have already gained Canadian education and local work experience.

Provincial Allocation by Employment Category

The province divided its annual nomination allocation into three major categories based on labour market priorities.

Employment Category	Annual Allocation	Nominations Issued	Share Used
Priority Occupations	2,380	1,466	62%
Capped Industries	1,190	718	60%
Other Occupations	1,191	444	37%

The latest data shows that demand remains strongest in priority occupations, while the “Other Occupations” category still has a relatively larger number of nomination spaces available.

Provincial officials have also noted that if employer demand in priority occupations continues to increase, additional nomination spaces could be redirected toward these sectors later in the year following an internal review.

Certain Industries Continue to Operate Under Annual Limits

Unlike most sectors, some industries remain subject to controlled nomination quotas throughout the year.

These capped industries include:

Accommodation services
Food services
Retail trade
Other selected service industries
Trucking

Together, these sectors account for one-quarter of Saskatchewan’s overall provincial nomination allocation.

The annual limits are intended to ensure balanced distribution of immigration spaces while allowing the province to respond to changing labour market needs.

July Intake Dates Announced for Capped Occupations

Employers operating in capped industries will soon have another opportunity to submit applications.

The province has confirmed the following intake schedule:

Industry	Intake Date	Available Spaces
Trucking	July 6	25
Retail Trade	July 6	50
Accommodation Services	July 6	50
Food Services	July 7	50

One notable change this year is that accommodation services and food services will accept applications separately rather than under a combined intake.

Applications will be processed in the order they are received until each category reaches its maximum capacity.

More Intake Rounds Planned Before Year-End

Saskatchewan has already outlined additional opportunities for employers later in 2026.

Further application windows are currently scheduled for:

September 14
November 2

These intake rounds are expected to provide additional nomination opportunities for employers that are unable to participate in the July intake.

Different Application Rules Depending on Industry

The SINP follows different application procedures depending on the employment sector.

For employers in capped industries, applications are only accepted during official intake periods. In addition, nominated workers must generally have six months or less remaining on their existing work permit at the time the application is submitted.

Meanwhile, employers hiring workers in priority occupations or other eligible sectors can submit applications throughout the year without waiting for scheduled intake dates.

Saskatchewan Continues Aligning Immigration with Workforce Demand

The latest SINP update highlights Saskatchewan’s ongoing effort to direct immigration toward sectors facing the most significant labour shortages. With more than half of the province’s annual nomination allocation already issued and over 2,100 spaces still available, Saskatchewan remains well-positioned to continue attracting skilled workers during the remainder of 2026.

As future intake rounds open and labour market needs evolve, the province is expected to continue using targeted immigration measures to strengthen its workforce, support employers, and contribute to long-term economic growth.

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