Prince Edward Island Immigration

Home of the famous Charlottetown Conference of 1864, for which it is known as “the birthplace of Canada.” Prince Edward Island (PEI) is one of the country’s three Maritime Provinces and oldest settlements still reflecting Canada’s heritage. Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest province in Canada. Despite its size, it is one of the most popular destinations for prospective immigrants due to its riches in natural beauty, history and Canadian culture.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

The PEI PNP is Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate, after which they can apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada

PEI PNP is a collection of immigration pathways that target immigrants with business acumen, skilled workers, and young graduates who are fresh from post-secondary education.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program Streams

The PEI PNP accepts applications under three major immigration categories:

PEI PNP Express Entry
Candidates who are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool and are interested in living and working in Prince Edward Island may apply to the PEI PNP Express Entry Category.
Labour Impact Category
The province accepts applications under this category from individuals who possess skills and experience that are needed in PEI’s labour market.
Business Impact Category
This stream helps individuals who wish to invest in a PEI business to transition to PEI on a work permit prior to receiving a provincial nomination

P.E.I. PNP Express Entry

Candidates who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool and are interested in living and working in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) may apply to the PEI Express Entry category. Eligible applicants may benefit from processing times of six months or less.

There are two pathways to Canadian permanent residence through the PEI Express Entry Category, depending on whether or not, a foreign national has a job offer in PEI or not.

Eligibility requirements

Candidates for this category must be eligible for one of the following federal economic immigration classes managed through the Express Entry system:

Federal Skilled Worker Class
Federal Skilled Trades Class
Canadian Experience Class

Once a candidate is registered in the federal Express Entry system under one of the classes above, he or she must create a profile in PEI’s EOI system.

A profile is reviewed and assigned points based on six selection factors: age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability up to a maximum of 100 points. Priority is given to applicants living and working in PEI.

P.E.I. Labour Impact Category

The Labour Impact Category focuses on the ever changing labour market needs of Prince Edward Island’s innovative and primary industries. While Prince Edward Island’s labour force is quite small and many industries are seasonal, labour market gaps are a reality and finding new employees, within Canada, who have the right skill sets, can be a challenge for many Prince Edward Island businesses.

The Labour Impact Category facilitates and provides opportunity for Prince Edward Island businesses and potential new employees from outside of Canada, who have the right skill set to immigrate, work and settle in Prince Edward Island.

There are three streams from which an applicant can choose:

Skilled Worker Stream

Have a full-time, long-term (permanent or minimum of 2 years) job offer from a PEI employer within an NOC skill level of O, A or B
If currently employed by a PEI employer, have a valid work permit
Have legal status in country of residence
If required, be able to attend an interview at the Office of Immigration, Settlement and Population
Have successfully completed at least 2 years of post-secondary education or diploma
Within the past 5 years, have relevant schooling or full-time work experience
Meet the language requirements
Demonstrate genuine intention to settle in PEI
Demonstrate sufficient financial resources and settlement supports as indicated by transferable funds in order to cover the costs associated with immigration and travel expenses

Critical Worker Stream

Have a full-time, long-term (permanent or minimum of 2 years job offer from a PEI employer within an NOC skill level of C or D in one of the following occupations: customer service representative, truck driver, labourer, food and beverage server or housekeeping attendant.
Have worked a minimum of 6 months full-time for a PEI employer
Have a legal work permit
Have legal status in country of residence
Within the past 5 years, have relevant schooling or full-time work experience
Meet the language requirements
If required, be able to attend an interview at the Office of Immigration, Settlement and Population
Demonstrate genuine intention to settle in PEI

International Graduate Stream

Permanent, full-time job offer in their field of study from a Prince Edward Island employer at a NOC skill level 0, A or B
Worked a minimum of 6 months for the Prince Edward Island employer
Must have legal status in Canada
Must have a valid post-graduate work permit
Must be able to attend an interview at the Office of Immigration, if required
Must have completed at least a two-year diploma or degree program while studying full time
Must possess a valid diploma/degree from the recognized accredited Prince Edward Island University or College
Must have graduated within the past two years from full-time study at an accredited Prince Edward Island University or College
Should be between 21 and 55 years of age
Must possess English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered by a Prince Edward Island employer
Must demonstrate sufficient settlement supports and financial resources, including transferable funds, in order for the applicant and family to pay the immigration costs, travel expenses and establish in Prince Edward Island
Genuine intention to settle in Prince Edward Island

P.E.I. PNP Business Impact Category

100% Ownership Stream:

Have a verifiable personal net worth of $600,000
Have the skills, education, age, language ability and experience to operate a business in P.E.I
Invest at least $150,000 CAD in a business venture in P.E.I.
Sign an escrow agreement containing stipulations on a deposit of $150,000 to be held by the province until terms of agreement have been met
Have taken the IELTS within the past 2 years and have gotten a minimum band score of 4.0
Prepare a detailed business plan after visiting the province explaining the applicant’s intentions for settling in P.E.I. and taking an active role in the management of the business venture

Partial Ownership Stream

The same requirements as the 100% ownership stream except the $150,000 investment into a new or existing PEI business for a partial ownership interest of a minimum of 33 1/3% of voting shares, or make a minimum of a $1million investment.

Work Permit Stream

Apply to CIC for approval of a work permit for the PEI business that the applicant intends to invest and manage
Have a verifible personal net worth of $600,000
Prepare a detailed business plan after visiting the province explaining the applicant’s intentions for settling in P.E.I. and taking an active role in the management of the business venture
Have taken the IELTS within the past 2 years and have gotten a minimum band score of 4.0Invest at least $150,000 CAD in a business venture in P.E.I.

Prioritization

Due to limitations on immigration levels nationally and the effects on the Provincial Nominee Programs, the province of Prince Edward Island reserves the right to prioritize nominations to the three streams of the Business Impact Category based on the strengths and merits of the application and the economic value to Prince Edward Island.