Prince Edward Island has issued invitations to apply to 87 skilled worker Canada immigration candidates in a new draw through the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).

The February 20 draw saw invitations issued through the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams.

The invitations targeted candidates working in occupations and priority sectors based on economic impact in Prince Edward Island.

The focus was on people working and living in Prince Edward Island for a minimum of one year. International graduates from UPEI, Holland College and Collège de l’Île were also prioritized.

PEI PNP Immigration Draw

Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

PEI’s Express Entry category operates by considering candidates already in the federal Express Entry Pool for a provincial nomination.

Such a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration.

The PEI Express Entry Category features two pathways to Canadian permanent residence, one for candidates with a job offer and one for those without.

Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

1) Skilled Worker Stream

This employer driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian Permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

• A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
• Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
• Between 21 and 55 years of age;
• At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
• Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
• Sufficient settlement funds;
• Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Stream

This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:

• A full time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
  • Truck driver;
  • Customer service representative;
  • Labourer;
  • Food & beverage server;
  • Housekeeping attendant.
• 6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
• Current valid Canadian work permit;
• High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
• Between 21 and 55 years of age;
• At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
• Sufficient settlement funds;
• Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category

Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.

After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.

Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.