29 December, 2014

Feds increase Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program numbers Increase of 16 per cent over 2014

Saskatchewan minister responsible for immigration Jeremy Harrison said the benefits will include faster federal processing of permanent residence applications. (CBC)

The federal government has increased the number of people it will accept through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) by 775. 

The Government of Saskatchewan said the additional nominations will help address current labour market shortages. 

Including the additional 775 people, 5,500 nominations will be accepted in 2015. That's an increase of 16 per cent over 2014. 

The additional nominations will be made through the SINP's new Saskatchewan Express category, which will be announced on January 2, along with the federal government's new Express Entry application system. 

SINP will begin to accept applications under this new category in early 2015. 

The federal government's Express Entry application system will let it select from a pool of immigrant candidates and invite them to apply for permanent residence.

"The benefits include faster federal processing of permanent residence applications, and a new avenue for businesses looking to fill critical labour market shortages through the recruitment of foreign workers," said Minister Responsible for Immigration Jeremy Harrison in a press release.

The province expects that the 5,500 people nominated in 2015 will result in about 14,000 new residents to the province, when their family members are included.

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