Major Updates to Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs: Saskatchewan, Manitoba & Northwest Territories [April 2025]

Canada’s immigration landscape continues to evolve in 2025, with significant changes introduced in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories. If you're an aspiring immigrant seeking permanent residency through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), these updates could impact your pathway.

Whether you're an international graduate, skilled worker, or overseas applicant with a job offer, understanding these changes is essential. Let’s explore what’s new—and how these updates can shape your Canadian immigration journey.

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Saskatchewan Overhauls SINP: Job Offers Reopened, Key Streams Closed

✅ Job Approval Forms (JAFs) Resumed

As of March 27, 2025, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has resumed accepting Job Approval Forms (JAFs). These forms are crucial for foreign workers seeking a PR through job-offer-based immigration.

Key Insight:
75% of Saskatchewan’s 2025 immigration allocation is reserved for candidates already in the province. If you’re applying from abroad, your eligibility is now limited to specific in-demand sectors.

Priority Sectors for Overseas Applicants

If you're outside Canada, only jobs in the following sectors will be supported through the SINP:

• Healthcare

• Agriculture

• Skilled Trades

Real-Time Use Case:
An Indian welder with five years of experience receives a job offer from a Saskatchewan construction company. Since this falls under “skilled trades,” his employer can file a JAF, allowing him to pursue PR through SINP.

❌ Entrepreneur and Farm Streams Closed

Saskatchewan has permanently shut down three major immigration streams:

• Entrepreneur Category

• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

• Farm Owner/Operator Category

Implication:
Entrepreneurs and business immigrants must now consider alternatives such as the Start-Up Visa Program or business streams in other provinces like Ontario or British Columbia.

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⛔ New Nomination Caps in Retail, Food Services & Trucking

Saskatchewan is now capping PR nominations for candidates in:

• Retail Trade

• Food & Accommodation Services

• Trucking

Only 25% of SINP’s annual quota will go to these industries, collectively.

Real-Time Example:
If you're a truck driver with an open work permit working in Saskatchewan, ensure your employer applies early in the year before the cap is reached.

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Restrictions for Open Work Permit Holders

Certain Open Work Permit (OWP) holders, including spousal work permits, are no longer eligible for SINP immigration pathways.

Why the change?
The SINP cited concerns about worker exploitation and poor retention rates.

Advice:
If you're on an OWP, consult a regulated immigration consultant to explore other PR pathways like Express Entry, or provincial programs that still accept OWPs.

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Tightened Criteria for International Students

Only international graduates from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Saskatchewan are eligible under the SINP’s student stream, provided they:

• Worked 6+ months (780 hours) in a job related to their field and

• Held valid status such as a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Students who graduated outside Saskatchewan can now only apply through:

• Student Talent Pathway

• Health or Agriculture Talent Pathways

• Skilled Worker with Employer Job Offer

Real-Time Scenario:
A graduate from Ontario who studied nursing will need to either switch to Saskatchewan’s Health Talent Pathway (if eligible) or seek a different route for PR.

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❌ Spa, Salon & Pet Care Employers Now Ineligible

Employers in these industries can no longer recruit foreign workers via SINP:

• Spas

• Salons

• Pet care (excluding veterinarians)

This reflects SINP’s focus on long-term economic retention and regulated employment environments.

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Information Sessions for Employers & Applicants

Upcoming SINP info sessions:

• April 3 & April 9, 2025

• Separate slots for employers and applicants

• Registration required via email to SINP

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Manitoba PNP: March 2025 Draws Released

Manitoba held two draws under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) in March 2025:

Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream

• 101 Invitations issued

• Minimum score: 844

• Eligibility: Post-secondary education in Manitoba (self or spouse)

Skilled Worker Overseas Stream

• 7 Invitations issued under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative

• Minimum score: 705

Express Entry Link:
23 candidates had valid Express Entry profiles—a great sign for federal immigration pathway integration.

Use Case:
A Nigerian engineer with a Manitoba diploma and Express Entry profile could be selected via both streams—boosting his PR chances significantly.

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Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP): Intake Closed

The NTNP closed its 2025 intake on March 6, 2025.

• 90 applications were selected at random.

• Others will remain in queue until December 12, 2025

• If any approved applications are withdrawn or denied, alternates will be picked randomly

Total nomination allocation for 2025: 150 spots

Key Tip:
Due to its small quota, NTNP is highly competitive. Applicants should consider parallel applications in less restrictive PNPs or federal pathways.

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Final Thoughts & Action Plan

As provincial nominee programs evolve, staying updated and aligning your profile to sectoral priorities and regional needs is more crucial than ever.

✅ Tips for Applicants:

• Apply early in the year to avoid quota limitations.

• Align your occupation with priority sectors in your target province.

• For students, choose DLIs within provinces offering immigration pathways.

• Monitor province-specific eligibility changes regularly.

✅ Tips for Employers:

• Submit JAFs early and ensure roles align with sectoral priorities.

• Consult with immigration experts to ensure compliance.