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Health Talent Pathway
Summary:
The Health Talent Pathway is a provincial immigration stream under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program designed to help Saskatchewan recruit qualified health care professionals from Canada and abroad.
This pathway allows foreign health workers with a permanent full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer to apply for provincial nomination for permanent residence. The stream is intended to address labour shortages across the province’s health system, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health services.
Applicants can apply through two options:
Express Entry Health Talent Pathway
Non-Express Entry Health Talent Pathway
Both options require a valid job offer from a Saskatchewan employer and proof that the applicant has the education, work experience, and licensing required for their occupation.
Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination, which can then be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the federal government.
The Health Talent Pathway targets skilled health professionals who want to live and work permanently in Saskatchewan.
To qualify, applicants must:
Receive a permanent, full-time job offer from an eligible Saskatchewan employer.
Meet education, language, and work experience requirements.
Demonstrate eligibility for professional licensing in Saskatchewan if the occupation is regulated.
Show a genuine intention to live and work in Saskatchewan.
Employers must first obtain a Job Approval Letter from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program before the worker can apply.
Two application routes are available:
Express Entry Option
Applicants who already have an active federal Express Entry profile may apply through this route. It offers faster permanent residence processing once a provincial nomination is issued.
Non-Express Entry Option
This route is available to health workers who are not in the Express Entry system, including those working in Saskatchewan or applying directly from abroad.
Eligible Health Occupations
The Health Talent Pathway includes a wide range of high-skilled and intermediate-skilled health care occupations, including:
Health Care Practitioners
Physicians and specialists
Dentists
Pharmacists
Psychologists
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Chiropractors
Dietitians and nutritionists
Nursing Occupations
Registered nurses
Nurse practitioners
Licensed practical nurses
Nursing supervisors and coordinators
Medical Technologists and Technicians
Medical laboratory technologists
Medical radiation technologists
Respiratory therapists
Medical sonographers
Cardiology technologists
Pharmacy technicians
Health Care Support Workers
Nurse aides and patient service associates
Medical laboratory assistants
Pharmacy assistants
Dental assistants
Other assisting health service occupations
Social and Community Services
Social workers
Counselling therapists
Social and community service workers
Some occupations may also qualify through other Saskatchewan immigration streams.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet different criteria depending on whether they apply through the Express Entry or Non-Express Entry option.
General Requirements
All applicants must:
Have a valid job offer from a Saskatchewan employer
Obtain a Job Approval Letter issued by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
Demonstrate intent to live and work in Saskatchewan
Meet education and licensing requirements for the occupation
Submit all required supporting documents
Applicants cannot apply if they are refugee claimants in Canada.
Non-Express Entry Requirements
Applicants applying outside Express Entry must meet the following criteria.
Language
Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in English or French.
Some employers or licensing bodies may require higher scores.
Work Experience
Applicants must meet one of the following:
If currently working in Saskatchewan
At least six months (780 hours) of full-time work with the employer providing the job offer.
If not working for the employer for six months
At least one year of work experience in the occupation within the last five years.
Work experience must be paid employment.
Education
Applicants must have post-secondary education related to the occupation, such as:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Three-year university or college degree
Two-year diploma from a college, trade school, or technical institution
For certain support occupations, related education may not be required if the applicant has at least two years of post-secondary education.
Licensing
Applicants must show proof that they are eligible for professional licensing in Saskatchewan if the occupation is regulated.
Express Entry Requirements
Applicants using the Express Entry option must first qualify for the federal Express Entry system.
Express Entry Profile
Applicants must provide:
Express Entry Profile Number
Job Seeker Validation Code
Language
Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French.
Work Experience
Applicants must have:
At least one year of related work experience within the past five years in the occupation connected to the job offer.
Education
Applicants must have post-secondary education related to the job.
If education was completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment is required.
Licensing
If the occupation is regulated, applicants must show proof of eligibility for licensing in Saskatchewan.
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Application Process
The application process involves both the employer and the applicant.
Step 1: Secure a Job Offer
Applicants must obtain a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer in an eligible health occupation.
Step 2: Employer Obtains Job Approval Letter
The employer must register the position with the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program and obtain a Job Approval Letter.
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
Applicants must gather all required documents, including:
Identity documents
Language test results
Educational credentials and transcripts
Educational Credential Assessment (if required)
Work experience documents
Licensing or regulatory approvals
Job offer and Job Approval Letter
Step 4: Submit the Online Application
Applicants must:
Create an online account with the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
Complete all application sections
Upload supporting documents
Submit the application electronically
Incomplete applications may be returned.
Step 5: Receive a Provincial Nomination
If approved, Saskatchewan will issue a provincial nomination certificate.
Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residence
The applicant can then submit a permanent residence application to the federal government.
Applicants using Express Entry may receive faster processing for permanent residence.
Important Notes
Program requirements may change at any time.
The number of nominations Saskatchewan can issue each year is limited.
Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination.
All applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in Saskatchewan after receiving permanent residence.
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I’m Rashid Ali, a Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, having a designation of RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) from the College of Citizenship & Immigration Consultants of Canada or CICC (Previously known as ICCRC). CICC is the official regulator of immigration consultants in Canada. I’m also a member of the Canadian Association for Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).