Prince Edward Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP Guide)

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province, known for its stunning landscapes, red sand beaches, and vibrant cultural scene. The province’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, particularly potato farming, tourism, and fisheries.

In recent years, PEI has also focused on attracting immigrants through various immigration programs to address labour market needs and contribute to the province’s economic growth.

Since 2015, Prince Edward Island has seen a significant increase in immigration, welcoming over 2,000 new immigrants annually.  The introduction of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2001 and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017 has further fueled this growth, allowing employers in the Atlantic provinces, including PEI, to address labor shortages by hiring foreign workers for positions that couldn’t be filled locally.

Prince Edward Island PNP has 3 categories to choose from, successfully approved in one of these categories will give you 600 additional points in your express entry profile.

1. Critical Workers Stream

If you’re employed full-time in PEI, you can apply for permanent residency through the PEI PNP’s Critical Worker stream. To qualify, you need:

Requirements

• A full-time, non-seasonal job offer in TEER category 4 or 5.
• At least six months of continuous work with the PEI employer.
• Valid work permit and legal status in Canada.
• Minimum secondary school diploma.
• Age between 18 and 59.
• Two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years.
• Language test score of CLB/NCLC 4.
• Sufficient funds for immigration costs.
• Genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Calculate your points through the PEI Points Calculator. 

2. Intermediate Experience Stream

The Intermediate Experience Stream allows employers in Prince Edward Island (PEI) to hire talent from outside Canada.

Requirements

To apply for the PEI Intermediate Experience Stream, you must:

• Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer in an intermediate-skilled position (TEER category 4).
• Possess at least six months of full-time Canadian work experience acquired with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) based work permit, relevant to the offered position in PEI.
• Hold a secondary school diploma (high school).
• Be between 18 and 59 years old.
• Have legal status in your country of residence.
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years.
• Provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution, with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4 (valid for 2 years).
• Have sufficient financial resources to cover all immigration costs, including travel expenses for you and your family to settle in PEI.
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Checkout the latest PEI Draws of 2024

3. International Graduate Stream

The International Graduate Stream facilitates graduates from publicly-funded post-secondary institutions in Prince Edward Island (PEI) to seek Permanent Residency nomination through the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Requirements

To qualify for the PEI International Graduate stream, you must:

• Have completed your education at a publicly-funded post-secondary institution in Prince Edward Island.
• Hold a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer.
• Possess a valid post-graduate work permit and legal status in Canada.
• Be available for an interview with Office staff if necessary.
• If your occupation is high-skilled (TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3), demonstrate adequate proficiency in English and/or French to perform job duties, as confirmed by the employer through the PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form.
• If your occupation is intermediate-skilled (TEER category 4 or 5), provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4 (valid for 2 years).
• Be aged between 18 and 59.
• Have sufficient financial resources to cover immigration expenses, including travel costs for you and your family to settle in PEI.
• Show a genuine commitment to settling in PEI.

4. Occupations in Demand

The Occupations in Demand Stream facilitates talent recruitment from outside Canada, contingent upon prior authorization from the Prince Edward Island (PEI) PNP for job offers issued by PEI employers.

Requirements

To be eligible for the PEI Occupations in Demand stream, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a full-time, non-seasonal permanent job offer from a PEI employer in one of the following occupations:
  • NOC 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates)
  • NOC 73300 (Transport truck drivers)
  • NOC 75110 (Construction trades helpers and labourers)
  • NOC 65310 (Light duty cleaners)
  • NOC 95109 (Other labourers in processing, manufacturing, and utilities)
  • NOC 75101 (Material handlers)
  • NOC 94140 (Process control and machine operators in food and beverage processing)
  • NOC 94141 (Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers)
• Possess one year of full-time work experience directly relevant to the job offered by a PEI employer.
• Be aged between 18 and 59.
• Have successfully completed at least a secondary school diploma (high school).
• Provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution, achieving a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4 (valid for 2 years).
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover immigration costs, including travel expenses for you and your family to settle in PEI.
• Exhibit a genuine intention to settle in PEI

Checkout the latest PEI Draws of 2024

5. PEI Express Entry

Requirements

To qualify for PEI Express Entry nomination:

• Qualify for at least one of these Federal Economic Immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class.
• Create a Federal Express Entry Profile and join the candidate pool.
• PEI prioritizes candidates already working and living in the province with an eligible PEI employer.

You need:

• Nine months of continuous full-time work with your supporting PEI employer.
• At least four months left on your work permit when submitting your Expression of Interest if you hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from an institution outside of PEI or a spousal open work permit from outside PEI.

Calculate your points through the PEI Points Calculator.

6. Skilled Worker Stream in PEI

Apply for Permanent Residency in Prince Edward Island (PEI) through the Skilled Worker Stream of the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This stream helps Island employers fill high-skilled positions they can’t find locally.

Requirements

To qualify for the PEI Skilled Worker Stream:

• Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer in a high-skilled occupation (TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3).
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years.
• Hold a valid work permit for working in Canada.
• Be legally allowed to stay in your current country of residence.
• Have completed at least a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma.
• Be aged between 18 and 59.
• Demonstrate sufficient language ability (CLB/NCLC 4) in English and/or French.
• Have enough funds to cover immigration costs for settling in PEI.
• Show a genuine intention to settle in PEI

7. Skilled Worker Stream outside PEI

Employers in Prince Edward Island (PEI) can recruit talent from outside Canada through the Skilled Worker Stream of the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Requirements

To qualify for the PEI Skilled Worker Stream:

• Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer in a high-skilled occupation (TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3).
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years.
• Have legal status in your current country of residence.
• Have successfully completed at least a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma.
• Be aged between 18 and 59.
• Demonstrate sufficient language ability (CLB/NCLC 4) in English and/or French.
• Have enough financial resources to cover immigration costs for you and your family to settle in PEI.
• Show a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

How to Apply?

1. Create Profile: Start by creating a profile on the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system. You must prove your contact and passport details and select the stream under which you’re applying.
2. Profile Review: The PEI PNP will review your profile. If selected, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply. Priority is given to those with the greatest potential to settle in PEI, so your intend to stay does matter a lot.
3. Receive Invitation: When you receive an invitation, You must submit all the necessary documents.
4. Prepare Application: Submit the Workforce Application Form online and pay the $ 300 CAD fee. Gather all required supporting documents listed in the checklist.
5. Submit Application: After submission, you’ll receive a secure link to upload your supporting documents. Once uploaded, your application is considered complete. You can track its status on your EOI account.
6. Nomination: If nominated by PEI, submit your application for Permanent Residency within three months and maintain the nomination conditions. OR
7. Application Outcome: If your application doesn’t meet requirements, it will be refused. You can reapply after six months if eligible. OR
8. Misrepresentation: Providing false or incomplete information will result in application refusal and a two-year prohibition from reapplying

Application Fees: $300

Processing Time: 4-12 Weeks

8. Business Impact Category

Individuals who are looking to immigrate to Canada through a business visa, whether for establishing a business with complete ownership or investing in a new or existing PEI business, can leverage the Business Impact stream of the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Another option available to them is obtaining a work permit through an investment in a PEI business, facilitating a quicker transition to their new life in Canada and specifically in Prince Edward Island (PEI).

Requirements

• Age requirement: Applicants should be within the age range of 21 to 59.
• Financial requirements: A minimum net worth of CAD $600,000 is mandatory.
• Educational Qualification: A minimum of secondary education is required.
• Management skills: Applicants must possess transferable management skills or business ownership experience.
• Language proficiency: Meeting the minimum language requirements of CLB 4 is essential.
• Residency and work commitment: Candidates must have the intention to reside and work in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
• Active business management: Active management of the proposed business from within PEI is a requirement.
• Additional business criteria: The business must fulfill additional stipulated requirements.

How to Apply?

1. Check Work Permit Stream Eligibility: Begin by confirming your eligibility for the Work Permit Stream.
2. Create EOI Profile: Register your interest in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system by creating a profile. Provide necessary information during profile completion, and your profile remains active for six months.
3. Profile Adjustments: Make changes to your profile as needed before receiving an invitation to apply.
4. Receive Invitation: Upon success, you’ll receive an invitation via email with further instructions. You have 60 days to submit your application.
5. Complete Application Package: Prepare and submit the application package, including required forms, supporting documentation, and the CAD $10,000 application fee.
6. Submit Application: Submit your application in person, by courier, or by mail to the Office of Immigration at the provided address.
7. In-Person Interview: If approved, the Office of Immigration will invite you for an in-person interview to discuss your business proposal and plan.
8. Submit Performance Agreement: After the interview, submit a signed Performance Agreement. You may receive a letter of support from PEI, which you can use to apply for a work permit with IRCC.
9. Move to PEI: Upon obtaining the work permit, relocate to PEI and report to the PEI Office of Immigration within 30 days of arrival.
10. Assigned Settlement Officer: A Settlement Officer will be assigned to assist with business establishment, providing regular progress reports.
11. Meet Performance Agreement Conditions: Fulfill conditions outlined in the Performance Agreement and other requirements.
12. PEI Nomination: If conditions are met, PEI will nominate you.
13. Apply for Permanent Residence: With the nomination, apply for Canadian permanent residence through IRCC.

Application Fees: CAD $10,000

Processing time: 6 months or less

Ranking System:

Check out Latest Prince Edward Island PNP Draws 

FAQs

What are the requirements for PEI?

For the PEI Provincial Nominee Program, requirements typically include meeting specific criteria based on the chosen stream, such as age, education, work experience, and a genuine intention to reside and work in Prince Edward Island.

What is the good score for Prince Edward Island PNP?

The good score for Prince Edward Island is 50 but it varies from program to program.

What is the processing time for Prince Edward Island PNP?

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program takes almost 3-6 months from Expression of Interest to final decision.

How much is cost of PEI PNP?

The cost for for PEI PNP is $300. For Business Impact Category it could go up to $10,000.

Is Prince Edward Island easy to get?

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination involves meeting eligibility criteria and scoring well on the Expression of Interest system, with the ease of attainment dependent on individual qualifications and adherence to program requirements.