International Graduate Entrepreneur

Through the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category, you can apply to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). This category is specifically for international students who:

• Have graduated from a Saskatchewan institution.
• Want to become an entrepreneur and establish a business in Saskatchewan.

This pathway allows you to obtain permanent residency by starting and managing your own business in Saskatchewan after completing your studies. It is designed for those who meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in contributing to Saskatchewan’s economy through entrepreneurship.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category Process

There are four steps to the application and nomination process under the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category:

• Step 1: Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the SINP: Candidates who wish to apply for permanent residency as an International Graduate Entrepreneur need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). This allows them to express their interest in being nominated by the SINP.
• Step 2: Invitation to Apply: Candidates will be selected from the EOI system based on their score from the points criteria grid. The top-scoring candidates will be invited to apply for the SINP.
• Step 3: Business Establishment: Once approved, applicants on a valid post-graduate work permit (PGWP) must begin operating their proposed business in Saskatchewan. Applicants are expected to show their commitment to establishing and running the business successfully.
• Step 4: Nomination: Once the applicant has met the conditions outlined in the Business Performance Agreement (BPA), they can then apply for nomination from the SINP for permanent residency.

This pathway helps international graduates transition from student life to entrepreneurs while contributing to Saskatchewan’s economic growth.

Program Requirements for the SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

To be eligible to apply for the SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, you must meet the following minimum criteria:

Eligibility to Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):

• Age: You must be at least 21 years of age.
• Education: You must have completed a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma that is at least two years long from an eligible Saskatchewan institution.
• Post-Graduate Work Permit: You must have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit with at least 24 months remaining on the permit.
• Residency in Saskatchewan: You must have lived in Saskatchewan during your academic program (distance-learning or accelerated programs are not eligible).
• Language Proficiency: You need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7.

If you meet these eligibility criteria, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). If invited to apply, you will need to demonstrate knowledge of your Business Establishment Plan (BEP).

After Invitation to Apply and Before Nomination:

Once you are invited to apply, you must:

• Reside in Saskatchewan.
• Operate the business in Saskatchewan for at least one year before applying.
• Ownership: You must own at least one-third (33%) of the business and actively participate in the daily management. This ownership must result from a verifiable investment made by you, either from your own equity or from an eligible source.
• Business Revenue: Your business must generate the minimum required revenue after one year of operation. (Please check the “Eligible Sources of Investments/Revenue” section of the Application Guide for specific details)

Required Documentation:

You will need to submit documents to prove the above points, including:

• Documents showing ownership and investment in the business.
• Proof that the business meets the revenue requirements.
• Third-party financial documentation from a professional service provider.

Business Performance Agreement (BPA): After your application is approved by the SINP, you must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) with the Government of Saskatchewan. This agreement will be provided to you after approval. This program aims to support international graduates who wish to become entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan, contributing to the province’s economy.

Check the application guide: file:///C:/Users/admin/Downloads/103484-Application_Guide_IGE_%2528FINAL_Aug-28-2020%2529.pdf

Application Assessment Process for the SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Once your Electronic Application and supporting documents are submitted, the SINP will assess your application to ensure it meets the necessary criteria. Below are the steps and details on how your application will be processed:

Supporting Documents:

• You must submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP).
• It is your responsibility to ensure that your BEP meets the criteria for Eligible Businesses. Refer to the Application Guide for more details on what qualifies as an eligible business.

Eligibility Assessment:

• Your application will be assessed against the Eligibility Criteria.
• The EOI (Expression of Interest) Points you submitted will also be verified.

Request for Additional Information:

• If the SINP official needs further clarification or additional documentation, they may contact you or arrange an interview.
• If you fail to respond to these requests, your application may be closed.

In-person Interview:

• If your application meets the criteria, you may be contacted to participate in a final in-person interview.
• During this interview, you will need to present your business plans and explain how they meet the requirements outlined in the BEP.
• You must also demonstrate the research you conducted for your business.

Business Performance Agreement (BPA):

• If you meet all the program criteria during the interview, the SINP will send you a Business Performance Agreement (BPA).
• The BPA will outline the industry sector of your business and will have a 24-month term.
• Review and sign the BPA and scan and send the signed copy to the SINP within 20 days.

SINP Approval Letter:

• Once the SINP receives your signed BPA, they will issue a SINP Approval Letter.
• Important Note: The approval letter is not a nomination and cannot be used to apply for Permanent Residence or extend your current work permit.
• The approval letter simply indicates that your application and business plan have been approved, and the SINP expects you to reside in Saskatchewan and operate your business there.

Second Review (if applicable):

• If you are found ineligible but believe that the SINP erred in their assessment, you may request a Second Review.
• Second Review requests must be submitted within 45 days from the date of the decision.
• You must provide a written justification explaining why you believe the decision was incorrect.
• Only original application materials will be considered in the Second Review process. No additional information will be accepted.

Who is Not Eligible:

• Refugee claimants in Canada who are claiming refugee status.
• People living illegally in Canada.
• Individuals with a removal order issued by IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
• Health or criminality concerns – If you or a dependent family member do not meet IRCC’s health or criminality requirements.
• Unresolved family issues – Custody or child support disputes affecting any family member.
• Misrepresentation – If you or your representative intentionally misrepresent yourself in the application.
• Failure to prove intent to reside and work in Saskatchewan.

Eligible Businesses:

An applicant’s business must show potential economic benefits to Saskatchewan, such as:

• Value-added manufacturing or processing (e.g., products made locally and sold outside).
• Exports to expand Saskatchewan’s reach.
• Destination tourism or initiatives to bring visitors to Saskatchewan.
• Research and development, and technology commercialization.
• Developing new or innovative business models that can refresh traditional businesses.
• Technology and knowledge transfer to local companies or markets.
• Providing products or services to an underserved market in Saskatchewan.
• For purchasing an existing Saskatchewan business:
• The business must have been operating for at least three years under the same ownership.
• The applicant must maintain current staff levels and keep employment terms and wages similar for existing employees.

Document Checklist: To ensure a smooth application process for the SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Category, here’s a summary of the required documents:

file:///C:/Users/admin/Downloads/IGE-Document-Checklist.pdf

Required Documents:

• Make sure you upload all required documents to your electronic application.
• Documents must be clear and legible for easy review.
• If any of your documents are not in English or French, you must provide:
• An electronic copy of the original document.
• An electronic copy of the translation in English or French.
• An electronic copy of the Translator Affidavit, which should describe the translator’s qualifications and ability to translate the documents.

Translation Guidelines: Anyone can translate the documents except for:

• Your spouse
• A family member
• A paid third-party representative who has prepared your application.
• Some Canadian visa offices may require a certified translator for translations.

Additional Note: IRCC may ask for original documents or certified copies later in the process, even though the SINP primarily requires digital copies to be uploaded.

Who to Include in Your Application

When applying for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), you are required to list all dependents in your application, even if they are not coming with you to Canada initially. It’s important to understand who qualifies as a dependent and how changes to your family situation might affect your application. Here’s a breakdown of who should be included:

• Spouse: If you are married, your spouse must be included in the application, even if they are not coming to Canada right away.
• Common-law Partner: A person you have lived with in a marital-like relationship for a specified time
• Dependent Children: Children under the age of 22 who are financially dependent on you and children 22 years or older who are financially dependent due to physical or mental conditions.
• New Dependents: gain through birth or adoption after submitting your application
• Non-Accompanying Dependents: Dependents who are not coming with you initially cannot be nominated for permanent residency as part of your SINP application.
• Who Cannot Be Included: Parents, brothers, and sisters or other extended family members in your SINP application.

Establishing Your Business

Once your application is approved through the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category, you’ll need to fulfill several key responsibilities to establish and operate your business in Saskatchewan. Here’s a summary of the steps and requirements you must follow:

1. Reside and Actively Operate Your Business in Saskatchewan

• Relocate to Saskatchewan and actively operate your business on a day-to-day basis. This is a critical requirement for the approval of your SINP nomination and for fulfilling your Business Performance Agreement (BPA).

2. Establish, Purchase, or Continue Operating Your Business

• You are required to establish, purchase, or continue operating your business in accordance with the terms set out in your BPA and your Business Establishment Plan (BEP).

3. Submit a Business Establishment Progress Report

• 12 months after the Approval Letter date, you must submit the Business Establishment Progress Report through your Oasis account.
  • This report will outline your business establishment activities to date.
  • The form can be found under the “Application Forms” section on the SINP website.

4. Demonstrate 12 Months of Active Business Operation

• Only applicants who have been operating their business for at least 12 months and can demonstrate ongoing business operations will be eligible for nomination.
  • This includes meeting the minimum income requirements as stated in your BPA.

5. Apply for Nomination

• Once you have met the terms of your BPA, including active business operation and meeting income requirements, you can apply for nomination.
  • This is an essential step to apply for permanent residency.

6. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

• SINP cannot provide support letters to extend a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), as PGWPs are not eligible for extension.
  • If you’ve received your SINP nomination and applied for Permanent Residence (PR), you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
  • BOWPs are only available to applicants who have submitted a PR application following SINP nomination.

7. Expedited Nomination Process

• Expedited processing may be available for applicants who have submitted their Business Establishment Progress Report and can demonstrate active business operations.
  • However, expedited processing is at the discretion of the SINP.

8. Settlement Services

• As an immigrant entrepreneur in Saskatchewan, you are encouraged to use settlement services available in the province.
  • Regional Newcomer Gateways provide various services such as:
    • Language assessment services.
    • Career and employment services (for your accompanying family members).
    • Guidance and advice from Settlement Coordinators.
  • These organizations can connect you to community and ethno-cultural groups.

9. Access Business Establishment Services

• After approval, you can access business establishment services through designated service providers. These providers offer:
  • Support on fulfilling the terms of your BPA.
  • Referrals to other service providers for more specific guidance related to business establishment.

10. Additional Resources

• For more information on starting your business and becoming an immigrant entrepreneur in Saskatchewan, refer to the “Starting Your Own Business” section on the SINP website.

BPA Change Request: Once the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) is approved and signed, no changes will be accepted. If you’re unable to meet the terms of the BPA, you must reach out to the SINP to discuss your options. For minor adjustments, like relocating the business within the same location type, you don’t need SINP approval, but you must notify them of the change.

Application for Nomination

To apply for nomination, you must live in Saskatchewan, actively manage your business, and comply with the terms of your Business Performance Agreement (BPA).

It is your responsibility to maintain legal status in Canada according to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Once you have successfully operated your business for at least 12 months, fulfilled the BPA, and met the Eligible Sources of Investment/Revenue requirements, you may apply to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for nomination.

To apply, you need to complete the application for nomination form, scan it, and email it to saskentrepreneur@gov.sk.ca.

The SINP will evaluate your application and inform you of their decision. As part of the process, a site visit to your business or an in-person interview may be requested. Failure to participate in these could result in your application being denied.

If your nomination is approved, the SINP will:

• Send a nomination certificate to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Provide you with a nomination letter that explains how to proceed with your permanent residency application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO).

While your permanent residency application is being processed, you must continue to meet the conditions outlined in your BPA. If you close or sell your business during this time, your nomination will be revoked.

Note: If your application is closed due to missing information, it will not be eligible for a Second Review.

Site Visits: As part of the Application for Nomination review, the SINP may conduct an unscheduled site visit to your business.

The purpose of this visit is to provide referrals to services and assess whether you are meeting the terms of your Business Performance Agreement (BPA).

Site visits can occur at any time and will be included in the SINP’s evaluation of your Application for Nomination. The SINP does not schedule site visits, and applicants cannot request a specific time for the visit.

If you plan to be away from your business or if your business will be closed for more than four business days, you must notify the SINP.

Failure to inform SINP of an absence, especially if the site visit occurs during your absence, could result in your application being closed. Absences of less than three business days do not need to be reported.

Application for Permanent Residence

To obtain Permanent Residence, you must submit your SINP nomination to IRCC. The following requirements must be met:

• Maintain your legal status in Canada.
• Hold a valid Temporary Work Permit (TWP) when submitting your application and while awaiting IRCC’s decision on your Permanent Residence.

Once IRCC receives your nomination certificate from the SINP, they will assess your application, including health, security, and criminality checks. If approved, they will issue visas for you and your family members.

IRCC may also request additional documents, such as your Business Performance Agreement (BPA) or Business Establishment Plan (BEP). Please note that IRCC is responsible for evaluating eligibility for Permanent Residence, and the SINP does not influence this decision.