Saskatchewan has used almost all its annual nomination spaces for workers in capped sectors, with only 12% remaining. However, 27% of the spaces reserved for priority and other sectors are still available.
The following figures come from the province’s quarterly update published in October on its Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) statistics page.
| Sector | Allocation | Nominations Issued | Percentage Of Allocation |
| Priority Sectors And Other Sectors | 3,946 | 2,865 | 73% |
| Capped Sectors | 1,315 | 1,158 | 88% |
| Total | 5,261 | 4,023 | 76% |
From January to September, Saskatchewan issued 1,158 nominations to workers in accommodation and food services, trucking, and retail trade and other services. This left only 157 spaces in capped sectors for the final three months of 2026.
In comparison, priority and other sectors still had 1,081 spaces available, according to the October update.
The SINP warns that these figures do not include applications currently being assessed. As a result, the actual number of available spaces may be lower.
By the end of September, Saskatchewan had issued 4,023 nominations across all sectors, representing 76% of its annual allocation of 5,261.
At the time of the latest update, 1,238 nomination spaces remained across priority, capped, and other sectors. This represented 24% of the province’s total allocation for 2026.
The figures also reflect an increase in Saskatchewan’s annual quota. During the third quarter, the province raised its allocation from 4,761 to 5,261 nominations.
Before the increase, Saskatchewan had used 55% of its earlier allocation of 4,761 spaces by the end of June.
The province issued 1,395 nominations between July and September. This was close to the 1,405 nominations issued during the second quarter and higher than the 1,223 issued in the first quarter.
Capped sectors accounted for 440 nominations during the third quarter, making up nearly one-third of the total.
Saskatchewan issued an average of about 447 nominations per month during 2026. To use its full allocation, the province would need to issue approximately 413 nominations each month for the remainder of the year.
For 2026, the SINP has reserved at least 50% of its annual nomination spaces for the following priority sectors:
- Agriculture.
- Energy.
- Health care.
- Manufacturing.
- Mining.
- Skilled trades.
- Technology.
Saskatchewan has limited nominations across three capped sectors to a combined maximum of 25% of its annual allocation. Accommodation and food services can receive up to 15%, while trucking and retail trade and other services each have a limit of 5%.
The SINP states that priority sectors may receive more than 50% of the available spaces if demand requires it. This could reduce the share available to other sectors.
Sectors that are neither classified as priority nor capped fall under the SINP’s ‘other’ sectors category.
Employers in capped sectors can submit Employer Position Assessments only during designated intake periods. Employers in other sectors can submit them throughout the year.
Although some nomination spaces remain available in capped sectors, Saskatchewan’s final intake windows for 2026 opened on September 14 and 15.
The province had initially planned another intake window for November 2. However, it cancelled that window and moved those positions into the September intake.
According to the SINP’s latest statistics, the accommodation and food services and trucking intake windows have reached their position limits. In the retail trade intake, 26 of the 175 available positions remained unused at the time of the latest update.
A Look At SINP Application Assessment Figures
The SINP’s early October update also included figures showing how long different application categories took to be finalized between July and September 2026.
The reported averages are calculated using 80% of finalized applications, excluding the fastest and slowest 10%. The period is measured from the date a complete application is received until a final decision is made.
The table below compares the latest figures with those reported during the previous two quarters.
| Application Category | Application Type | Q3: July 1-Sept. 30 | Q2: April 1-June 30 | Q1: Jan. 1-March 31 |
| International Skilled Worker | Employment Offer | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 3 weeks |
| International Skilled Worker | Innovation And Tech Talent Pathway | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| International Skilled Worker | Agriculture Talent Pathway | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 3 weeks |
| International Skilled Worker | Health Talent Pathway | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Saskatchewan Experience | Existing Work Permit | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 3 weeks |
| Saskatchewan Experience | International Students | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| *Second Reviews | Applicants With Job Offers | 1 week | 1 week | 2 weeks |
| Job Approval Process | **Employer Position Assessments | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
*The SINP allows applicants whose provincial nomination applications are found ineligible to request a second review. Applicants must provide a justified request within 30 days of receiving their ineligibility letter.
**Saskatchewan employers must submit an Employer Position Assessment (EPA) to receive approval to hire a foreign national through the SINP.
The SINP aims to finalize all International Skilled Worker and Saskatchewan Experience applications within 16 weeks. The service standard for Employer Position Assessments is six weeks.
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