The
Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program permanently closed on March 27, 2025. It is no longer an immigration pathway for new applicants.If you are researching Saskatchewan business immigration, this guide explains the closure, the former program requirements and what existing applicants should know. Entrepreneurs beginning their immigration planning can explore broader
business immigration options in Canada.
Current status: Permanently closedSaskatchewan is no longer accepting new applications or Expressions of Interest, or issuing invitations under its Entrepreneur and Farm immigration pathways. Existing applications already in the SINP system will continue to be processed to completion, according to the official Saskatchewan closure notice.
Why Did Saskatchewan Close Its Entrepreneur Program?
Saskatchewan announced the closure as part of changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, commonly known as the
SINP, following a reduction in its federal nomination allocation.The province’s
March 27, 2025 announcement confirmed the permanent closure of three categories:
- Entrepreneur Category
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
- Farm Owner/Operator Category
The closure therefore affected both the general entrepreneur pathway and the separate pathways for international graduate entrepreneurs and farm owners. It was announced as a permanent closure, rather than a temporary intake pause.
What Was the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program?
The former SINP Entrepreneur Category supported applicants who intended to establish, purchase or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and participate in its management.Its process generally involved:
- Submitting an Expression of Interest, which was ranked against other candidates.
- Receiving an invitation and submitting an application with a business proposal.
- Signing a Business Performance Agreement following approval.
- Establishing and operating the business in Saskatchewan.
- Requesting provincial nomination after satisfying the applicable conditions.
Nomination was linked to fulfilling business obligations. Investing money alone did not complete the process. These steps describe the former pathway and are not instructions for starting a new application today.
Historical Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program Requirements
The requirements below are historical. Meeting them does not allow you to submit a new Saskatchewan Entrepreneur application.Selected requirements from the province’s
June 2024 Entrepreneur Category application guide included:
| Historical requirement | Former criteria |
|---|
| Net business and personal assets | At least CAD $500,000 |
| Relevant experience | At least three years of business management or entrepreneurial experience within the previous ten years |
| Investment in Regina or Saskatoon census metropolitan areas | At least CAD $300,000 |
| Investment in other Saskatchewan communities | At least CAD $200,000 |
| Business ownership | At least one-third, with an exception for investments of CAD $1 million or more |
| Business involvement | Active participation in day-to-day management |
These were selected criteria, rather than a complete eligibility checklist. The historical rules also addressed business plans, verification of funds and other obligations. Existing applicants should check the requirements and agreements applicable to their own files.
What Happens to Existing Applicants?
Saskatchewan states that existing applications already in its system will continue to be processed to completion.
Continued processing does not guarantee approval.If you have an existing file, review your SINP correspondence and keep track of outstanding requests, deadlines and business obligations. Before changing your business plans or assuming that an obligation no longer applies, seek clarification about your individual case.An Expression of Interest and a submitted application were different stages of the former process. If you only submitted an EOI, do not assume the statement about continued application processing confirms that your EOI will proceed.
What Should Entrepreneurs Consider Instead?
Your next step should be to assess immigration options against your profile and business plans. Useful questions include:
- How much business ownership or management experience do you have?
- What capital can you commit to the business?
- Are you willing to settle in another province?
- Do you intend to establish, purchase or expand a business?
- What are your language abilities and preferred timeline?
Our
Canadian business immigration guide provides a starting point. You can also explore our
provincial entrepreneur programs overview, checking the current status and intake conditions of any pathway before making plans.If your profile includes professional experience, education or language skills, it may also be useful to assess
Canadian immigration pathways beyond business immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program open in 2026?
No. Saskatchewan permanently closed the category on March 27, 2025.
Can I submit a new SINP Entrepreneur Expression of Interest?
No. The closure notice states that new EOIs are no longer being considered and further invitations will not be issued.
Did the closure include the graduate entrepreneur and farm pathways?
Yes. The announcement also closed the International Graduate Entrepreneur and Farm Owner/Operator categories.
What was the minimum investment?
The former minimum was CAD $300,000 in the Regina or Saskatoon census metropolitan areas, or CAD $200,000 elsewhere in Saskatchewan. These are historical figures, not investment thresholds for a currently available application.
Assess Your Next Immigration Step
If Saskatchewan’s former entrepreneur pathway was part of your plans, start by reviewing your profile against currently available options.Complete the
CanadaPass free immigration assessment to share your background and objectives, or
book an immigration consultation to discuss your situation and next steps.
