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Entrepreneur Application SINP

Entrepreneur Application SINP

Through the SINP Entrepreneur Program, you and your family can start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan.

The Entrepreneur Category Process

There are three steps to the nomination process:
1. Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP
2. EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application
3. Nomination

The Expression of Interest (EOI)
The EOI is not an application; it is an expression of your interest in the SINP. Prospective immigrants will indicate their interest in operating a business and living in Saskatchewan by providing required information about their entrepreneurial experience, assets, and Business Establishment Plan (BEP), among other factors.
1. Candidates who meet the minimum entry criteria will be accepted into the EOI candidate pool.
2. Once submitted, EOIs are scored and ranked using the Points Grid.

Before You Submit Your EOI
Note the following important information, before you submit your EOI:

  • To submit an EOI to the SINP, you must:
    • Meet the minimum entry criteria; and
    • Complete the Points Assessment Grid in order to be scored once your EOI is in the pool of candidates.
  • To meet the minimum entry criteria you must:
    • Have $500,000 (CAD) at minimum in Net Business and Personal Assets;
    • Have a minimum of three years of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience gained in the past ten years; and,
    • Intend to invest a minimum of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities.
  • We’ll assess the information you provide in your EOI against the points grid to rank your EOI in the pool of candidates. Candidates are then selected from the EOI system based on their score, with top scoring EOIs being prioritized for selection. Selected candidates are invited to apply to the SINP.
  • If you are invited to apply you must submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that corresponds to the information in your EOI. Your BEP must include:
    • Your plan to establish a business that aligns with the points assigned in the Entrepreneur Category Points Grid, if applicable (for investment amount and sector);
    • Your ownership of at least one third (33 1/3 per cent) of the equity of a business in Saskatchewan, unless your total investment is $1 million CAD or higher;
    • Your commitment to provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business; and
    • The creation of two employment opportunities in Saskatchewan for Canadians or permanent residents who are not related to you.
      • This only applies if you’re establishing a new business in Regina or Saskatoon.

Please note that the SINP reserves the right to have Business Establishment Plans assessed by professional third parties identified by the Government of Saskatchewan. The assessment conducted by Third Parties will focus on the preparation and due diligence conducted by the applicant in preparing their proposed business plan.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission to the SINP

Please follow these steps to submit your EOI to the program:

  • Only those who meet the minimum eligibility criteria can submit an EOI.
  • If you are eligible to apply under the Entrepreneur category review the Points Grid.
  • Complete your EOI online. Instructions are provided during the online application. The system will calculate your score based upon the information you enter and your EOI will be placed in a pool for potential selection. Only EOIs with all sections completed can be submitted.
    • If selected, your EOI will form part of your application. You must be sure your EOI is up to date at the time of submission, and that all answers are accurate and truthful. If your EOI is not up to date and it’s found that you or any person associated with your application omitted relevant information or provided misleading or fraudulent information at the time of assessment, your application will be rejected and you’ll be unable to apply to the SINP for a period of two years.
    • Be sure you understand the questions before you provide an answer. If you’re unsure, use the help icons or review this page again.
    • There’s no fee for submitting an EOI.
    • You won’t need to attach any documents to your EOI. However, you will be required to attach documents, including translations if necessary, if you’re invited by the SINP to submit an electronic application.
  • Your EOI is ranked based upon your points assessment score, after which it’s placed in an EOI pool.
    • EOI’s can remain in the pool for 12 months from the date of receipt.
    • If your EOI is not selected during this time it will be removed from the pool and you will be able to reapply if you want to.
    • If you’re able to acquire additional points after starting your EOI, you can update your pendingEOI with current information before it’s submitted.
    • Once your EOI has been submitted you’ll not be able to update it. If your EOI is selected it will be removed from the pool and you’ll no longer be able to update it. Points for age are awarded based on your age on the date you submit your EOI.

The EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application
EOI’s are assessed based upon the criteria in place at the time when your EOI was submitted. If your EOI is selected it will be removed from the application pool and you will no longer be able to update it. Selection doesn’t guarantee your application will be approved or that you’ll receive a nomination or permanent residence.

After your EOI has been selected:

  • You’ll receive an Invitation to Submit an Application (ISA) letter. The letter will include a file number. If your application doesn’t match the information in your EOI it will be rejected and you’ll be unable to submit an EOI or apply to the SINP for two years.
    • If your situation or any of your information has changed and the changes would result in a loss of points or you would no longer meet the minimum criteria then you should request to withdraw your EOI and not submit an application.
  • You’ll have 20 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
    • Pay a $2,500.00 CAD non-refundable processing fee; and,
    • Select and identify a recognized third party financial review service provider on your online application.
  • You’ll have 90 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
    • Submit your complete electronic application, including all required supporting documents; and
    • Submit your BEP
  • You’ll have 180 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
    • Submit your Third Party Verification Report.
      • You’re responsible for submitting the required documents to the Third Party Verification provider (see the Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist).
      • The Third Party Verification provider may request further documents or information and may call you for an interview if necessary.
  • If you’ve not submitted the required information or processing fee within the time given, your invitation to apply will expire and your application may be closed and removed from the system.
    • If your application has been removed from the system and you’re still interested in applying to the SINP you’ll have to submit a new EOI, under the relevant criteria in place at the time of submission.
  • You’ll need to upload supporting documents to your electronic application.
    • Carefully review the document checklists for a full list of all required documents.
  • All documentation must be provided in English or French.
    • Where documents are in a language other than English or French, you must submit an electronic copy of the original document, as well as an electronic copy of its translation and a translator affidavit.
  • If your application is accepted for processing and the information you provided changes, such as your family composition, marital status, country of residence, contact information, etc., you must inform the SINP. You’re required to update your application even if your visa has already been issued.

Applying for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

  • You will need to obtain a TWP to operate your business in Saskatchewan.
  • We require you to submit your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter along with your application for a TWP to the federal government within three months after you get the letter, to facilitate your arrival in Saskatchewan within 12 months of receiving your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter.
  • To apply for a TWP, you need to follow the instructions on IRCC’s website. You must first register as an employer in IRCC’s Employer Portal as the employer of your business (as a self-employed person). You will need to pay an employer compliance fee of $230 but you are exempt from the LMIA fee. If you do not have a Canada Revenue Agency number, you can contact the Employer Portal mailbox CIC.EmployerPortal-Portaildelemployeur.CIC@cic.gc.ca for further assistance.
  • Then you will need to apply for a TWP by going to the Employer Portal Welcome page, and going to the “What would you like to do today?” section. Select “Access the offer of employment queue”.
  • You will then enter your own personal information in the section for “Your online offer of employment” and submit your work permit application to IRCC – showing that you have an “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of Intended Work in Canada” section. The Entrepreneurs’ LMIA Exemption code is C11. Please refer to the Employer Portal user guide if you have questions.
  • Once you have a TWP, you can relocate to Saskatchewan and establish your business.
  • Please see the following links for additional information from IRCC on how to apply for a TWP: Updated Instructions for Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Candidates and Significant Benefit – Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Candidates (R205(a) – C11)

Arriving in Saskatchewan and Establishing Your Business

  • All approved applicants that don’t attend an arrival meeting in Saskatchewan within 18 months of the date on the SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter will be deemed to have failed to fulfil BPA terms, and their applications will be closed.
  • After you arrive in Saskatchewan you’ll have to:
    • Meet with a business service provider that we designate within 90 calendar days of arriving in Canada. The contact details will be sent to you with your BPA. The business service provider is available to answer your questions related to fulfilling the terms of the BPA. They can also refer you to other service providers for relevant information and guidance related to the establishment of your business;
    • Submit your Arrival Report Form and the list of documents you should provide with it; and
    • No later than 12 months after the Landing Date, submit your Business Establishment Progress Report to the SINP Entrepreneur category. This report outlines your business establishment activities to date.
  • Upon arrival in Saskatchewan you’re to:
    • Begin to establish or purchase your business as per the requirements of your BPA. We recommend you start operating your business within six months of arriving in the province. To be eligible for nomination, you must operate your business for a minimum of six months.
  • You’re encouraged to use the settlement services available in Saskatchewan. You can access government funded settlement services through Regional Newcomer Gateways.
    • These organizations are welcoming centres for newcomers to Saskatchewan. They provide language assessment services, career and employment services (for your accompanying family members), and guidance and advice from a Settlement Coordinator. The Regional Newcomer Gateways can also connect you to community and ethno-cultural groups.

Application for Nomination
To qualify for nomination, you and your immediate family must be residing in Saskatchewan and you must meet the terms of your BPA, including:

  • Transferring the required funds to Canada;
  • Maintaining legal status in Canada; and
  • Operating your business in accordance with your BPA for at least six months before requesting nomination.

To ensure you maintain legal status in Canada, you’re encouraged to have at least six months remaining on your TWP when you apply for nomination. You’re responsible for maintaining your legal status in Canada in line with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

  • Once you’ve fulfilled your BPA and operated your business for at least six months you’ll be eligible to apply to the SINP for nomination.
  • The SINP will assess your application for nomination and advise you of the outcome. You’ll be assessed upon your compliance with your BPA and any other criteria in place at the time you started your application process.
  • Submit your application for nomination electronically, using the SINP online system. See Nomination Request – Required Documents for the list of documents you’ll need to provide.
  • If approved for nomination the SINP will:
    • Send a nomination certificate to IRCC; and,
    • Send a nomination letter to you explaining how to send your permanent residency application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO).

Application for Permanent Residence

Once you’ve successfully completed all three steps above, you may apply for permanent residency. To gain permanent residence status, you must apply to IRCC with your SINP nomination.

  • Ensure you maintain your legal status in Canada; and
  • Have a valid TWP while you are waiting for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

IRCC considers your application after it receives the nomination certificate from the SINP, and is responsible for assessing each nominee’s eligibility for Permanent Residence. It completes health, security and criminality reviews. It may also ask for any other information it thinks is needed, at any time during the application process. After all these reviews, if approved, IRCC will issue visas to you and your family members, as applicable.