Prince Edward Provincial Nominee Program

Overview of the PEI PNP

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) program was launched in 2001. Since then the province is nominating individuals to settle and work in the province. It was launched to attract immigrants so that they could help address the labor shortage and bring economic prosperity.

The PEI PNP attracts immigrants with the necessary skills, experience, and education to settle on the island. The province is admitting an increasing number of immigrants as a result of the implementation of the PNP.

Prince Edward welcomes the most immigrants per capita in Canada compared to other provinces, with an immigration rate of 1.6 percent before COVID-19. The province has the highest newcomer intake as per the share of the population in Canada.

Every year province welcomes over 2,000 immigrants under economic immigration policy since 2015 which continues to increase over the coming years. Prior to the PNP program province only allowed 200 immigrants per year.

Since the advent of the PNP in 2001, as well as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017, the province has been attracting more immigrants. Employers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces can use the AIP to hire foreign workers for positions that cannot be filled locally. The Atlantic provinces of Canada include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

The PEI PNP Express Entry category is the only Enhanced category available through the PEI PNP. It also contains two foundational categories: labor impact and business impact.

When the program is aligned with the federal Express Entry System it is called enhanced.
Canada manages Permanent Residence applications through the Express Entry system which is Canada’s Economic immigration program.

If you are selected from the Express Entry pool, you will be assigned a point total based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada holds Express Entry drawings on a regular basis, inviting the highest-ranking individuals to apply for permanent residency.

You will receive 600 CRS points if you are nominated through an improved provincial scheme, such as the PEI PNP Express Entry. This increase ensures that you will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the following draw. You will also receive your nomination via your Express Entry profile.

The majority of PNP immigration streams are base streams. This indicates that they are not compatible with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a provincial nomination must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

PEI PNP Express Entry

Needs job offer? No

Application Fee: CAD $300

Processing time: 6 months

Minimum Requirements:

Must have an Express Entry profile;
Must be eligible for one of the three main federal economic class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

If you are a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holder or a spousal open work permit holder:

Your PGWP must have at least four months validity at the time you submit your EOI;
Must have studied outside of PEI (or be a spouse to someone who studied outside PEI);
Must have at least nine months of work experience under a PEI employer.

How it works:

If you believe you match the basic requirements, the first step in applying for the PEI PNP Express Entry is to create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

When creating a profile, you will be given a series of questions, all of which must be answered correctly. You can return at any time and edit the information you’ve supplied.

Based on the information you supply in your EOI, you will be assigned a point score based on the selection system points grid. You can earn up to 100 points.

During regular drawings, the province asks the top scorers to apply for a provincial nomination. If you are invited, you will be notified by email.

You must complete the application forms, and your employer must also complete the employer paperwork. Submit your application within 60 days.

If you receive a provincial nomination. You must accept the nomination through your Express entry account. After the successful completion of the application, you may likely receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

Labour Impact Category

The Labour Impact Category consists of three streams:

Skilled Worker Stream

The skilled worker’s stream is for individuals who have been identified or hired by PEI employers. To be eligible for this stream you must have a job offer from a PEI employer and currently working in PEI. Eligible workers should be working in a skilled profession must possess relevant experience and have at least a post-secondary degree or diploma.

Critical Worker Stream

This stream is intended for workers who have already been recruited by a PEI employer and whose employer wishes to sponsor them for permanent residency. Eligible individuals may work in either a semi-skilled or unskilled occupation.

International Graduate Stream

This stream is intended for recent graduates of authorized Prince Edward Island universities and colleges. You must already be employed by a PEI employer. Applicants who are eligible will work in a skilled profession related to their course of study.

Application Fee: CAD $300

Processing time: 6 months or less

Minimum requirements:

Must be between 21 and 59 years old;
Must have a full-time permanent or at least two-year job offer from a PEI employer in an eligible position;
Must have enough money to settle in PEI;
Must have the intention to reside in PEI;
Must meet the language requirements of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 4.

Category	Is a job offer required?	Additional Requirements
Skilled Worker Stream	Yes	Job offered must have a National Occupational Classification (NOC) level of 0, A or B; Must have at least a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma; Must have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years; Must have a valid work permit if you live in Canada; Must have legal status in your country of residence if you live outside Canada.
Critical Worker Stream	Yes	Job offered must be in one of the following positions: Truck driver; Customer service representative; Labourer; Food and beverage server; or Housekeeping attendant. Must have worked at least six months full-time for the PEI employer; Must hold a work permit in Canada; Must have at least a high school education; Must have at least two years of work experience or relevant education in the past five years.
International Graduate Stream	Yes	Job offered must have a National Occupational Classification (NOC) level of 0, A or B Must have worked for at least six months for the PEI employer in a position that is directly related to your education; Must hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit. Must have graduated, and received a post-secondary degree or diploma from an eligible PEI learning institution.

How it works?

The first step is to determine whether or not you are eligible for one of the Labor Impact streams. Create and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) profile whenever you’re happy.

You will be assigned a score based on the selection system points grid depending on the information you supply in your EOI profile.

PEI holds provincial draws on a regular basis, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to submit for a provincial nomination. If you are invited, you will have up to 60 days to submit your application and the necessary supporting documentation.

If you are successful, you will be nominated by the provincial government. You can submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residency to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using your nomination certificate.

Check Your Eligibility for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon Provincial Nomination