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Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
Prince Edward Island (PEI), which consists of the island itself and several surrounding isles, is Canada’s smallest province.
Prince Edward Island, often referred to as the “birthplace of Canada,” hosted the pivotal Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which paved the way for the nation’s formation. Renowned for its lush farmland and stunning coastlines, the island province boasts a thriving economy driven by agriculture, tourism, and fishing.
The PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is designed to attract skilled immigrants to Prince Edward Island. Those who possess the qualifications and experience sought by the province may receive a Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate. This certificate enables them to apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada.
Overview of the PEI PNP
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) was launched in 2001 to attract and retain more immigrants to the province, addressing economic and labor market needs and promoting economic prosperity.
The PEI PNP targets immigrants with the skills, experience, and education necessary to establish themselves on the island. Since its introduction, the program has led to a steady increase in the number of immigrants coming to PEI. The province now welcomes the highest number of immigrants per capita in Canada. Before the pandemic, PEI had an immigration rate of about 1.6 percent, compared to the national rate of about 0.9 percent. Since 2015, the province has consistently welcomed over 2,000 new immigrants annually, a significant increase from fewer than 200 new immigrants per year before the PNP’s launch.
The introduction of the PEI PNP in 2001 and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017 has boosted immigration to the province. The AIP enables employers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI, to hire foreign workers for positions that cannot be filled locally.
The PEI PNP includes one enhanced category, the PEI PNP Express Entry, and two base categories: the Labour Impact and Business Impact categories. An “enhanced” category aligns with the federal Express Entry system, which Canada uses to manage permanent residence applications through its main economic class immigration programs.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool receive a point score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada regularly conducts Express Entry draws, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. A nomination through an enhanced provincial program, such as the PEI PNP Express Entry, grants an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next draw. Nominees receive their nomination through their Express Entry profile.
Most immigration streams under PNPs are base streams, meaning they are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through a base stream must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
PEI Immigration Categories
If you wish to immigrate to PEI, then you have three options to choose from:
- PEI PNP Express Entry
- Labour Impact Category
- Business Impact Category
The PEI PNP Express Entry category is designed for candidates with a valid Express Entry profile who wish to live and work in Prince Edward Island and possess skills that meet the province’s current labor market needs.
The Labour Impact Category targets skilled workers and international graduates with the necessary skills and experience for PEI’s labor market. This category is divided into three streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Critical Worker Stream
- International Graduate Stream
The Business Impact Category is aimed at individuals who want to invest in a PEI business. It allows them to live in PEI on a work permit to familiarize themselves with the business before receiving a provincial nomination.
Minimum Requirements:
To qualify for the PEI PNP Express Entry category, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid Express Entry profile.
- Be eligible for one of the three main federal economic class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- For Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holders or spousal open work permit holders:
- The PGWP must have at least four months of validity remaining at the time of submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI).
- The candidate or their spouse must have studied outside of PEI.
- The candidate must have at least nine months of work experience with a PEI employer.
How it works:
If you meet the minimum requirements, the first step to apply for the PEI PNP Express Entry is to create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
When creating your profile, you will need to answer several questions and provide accurate information. You can update this information at any time.
Based on the details you provide in your EOI, you will receive a point score according to the selection system points grid, with a maximum score of 100 points.
The province regularly holds draws and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. If you are invited, you will receive an email notification.
You will need to complete the application forms, and your employer must complete the employer forms. Submit your application within 60 days.
If your application is successful, you will receive a provincial nomination, which you must accept through your Express Entry account. This nomination will likely lead to an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Labour Impact Category
The Labour Impact Category includes three streams:
Skilled Worker Stream
This stream is for workers identified or hired by a PEI employer. To apply, you must either be currently working in PEI or have a job offer from a PEI employer. Eligible applicants should work in a skilled profession, possess relevant experience, and have at least a post-secondary degree or diploma.
Critical Worker Stream
This stream is for workers who have already been hired by a PEI employer and whose employer wants to sponsor them for permanent residence. Eligible applicants can work in semi-skilled or unskilled professions.
International Graduate Stream
This stream is for recent graduates from recognized accredited universities and colleges in Prince Edward Island. You must have already been hired by a PEI employer and work in a skilled profession related to your field of study.
Labour Impact Category
To qualify under the Labour Impact Category, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Between 21 and 59 years old.
- Job Offer: Must have a full-time permanent job offer from a PEI employer in an eligible position lasting at least two years.
- Settlement Funds: Must possess sufficient funds to settle in PEI.
- Residency Intention: Must intend to reside in PEI.
- Language Proficiency: Must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 4.
Category
| Is a job offer required? | Additional Requirements |
Skilled Worker Stream | Yes | To qualify, the job offered must be classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) levels 0, A, or B.
Applicants must also have:
– A minimum of a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma. – At least two years of full-time work experience within the past five years. – A valid work permit if residing in Canada. – Legal status in their country of residence if residing outside Canada. |
Critical Worker Stream | Yes | To qualify, the job offered must be in one of the following positions:
– Truck driver – Customer service representative – Laborer – Food and beverage server – Housekeeping attendant
Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
– Have worked at least six months full-time for the PEI employer. – Hold a valid work permit in Canada. – Possess at least a high school education. – Have at least two years of work experience or relevant education within the past five years. |
International Graduate Stream | Yes | To be eligible, the job offered must fall under National Occupational Classification (NOC) levels 0, A, or B.
Additionally, applicants must:
– Have worked for at least six months with the PEI employer in a role directly related to their education. – Possess a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit. – Have graduated and received a post-secondary degree or diploma from an accredited PEI learning institution. |
How it works?
Once you confirm your eligibility for one of the Labour Impact streams, the first step is to create and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.
Your EOI profile will be evaluated based on the information provided, using the selection system points grid to assign a score.
PEI regularly conducts provincial draws where they invite candidates with the highest scores to apply for a provincial nomination. If you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to submit your application along with all required supporting documents.
If your application is successful, you will receive a provincial nomination. You can then use your nomination certificate to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Business Impact Category
The Business Impact Category includes the Work Permit Stream, designed for individuals interested in investing in a PEI business. Participants in this stream are required to start working in Canada under a work permit, gaining familiarity with the business operations. Subsequently, they can apply for a PEI provincial nomination for permanent residence.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify under the Work Permit Stream of the Business Impact Category, applicants must:
- Be between 21 and 59 years old.
- Have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000.
- Possess at least a secondary education.
- Demonstrate transferable management skills or business ownership experience.
- Meet the minimum language requirements of CLB 4.
- Intend to reside and work in PEI.
- Actively manage the proposed business from within PEI.
- Ensure the business meets all additional requirements set forth by the program.
How it works:
To begin the process, ensure your eligibility for the Work Permit Stream.
Next, create a profile in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system to register your interest. You will need to provide required information during profile completion, and it will remain active for six months.
You can edit your profile after completion but before receiving an invitation to apply.
If selected, you will receive an invitation via email with instructions on the next steps. You will have 60 days to submit your application.