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.

PEI is considered "the birthplace of Canada". The "Charlottetown conference" — which led to the country’s formation — took place in PEI in 1864. The island province is renowned not only for its lush farmland and beautiful coasts, but it is also home to a burgeoning economy centered around agriculture, tourism, and fishing.

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.

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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 who can help address economic and labor market needs and to help achieve economic prosperity.

The PEI PNP attracts immigrants with the skills, experience, and education who are likely to establish themselves on the island. Thanks to the introduction of the PNP, the province is welcoming an increasing number of immigrants.

PEI welcomes the most immigrants per capita in Canada. Prior to the pandemic, it had an immigration rate of about 1.6 percent, compared to about 0.9 percent nationally. The province has the highest newcomer intake as a share of the population in Canada.

The province has welcomed over 2,000 new immigrants every year since 2015 and is expected to continue to welcome an increasing number of immigrants. Prior to the launch of the PNP, the province would welcome less than 200 new immigrants per year.

The province has been attracting more immigrants since the introduction of the PNP in 2001 as well as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017. The AIP allows employers in Canada's Atlantic provinces to hire foreign workers for positions that they were not able to fill locally. Canada's Atlantic provinces include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI.

PEI PNP has one enhanced category, the PEI PNP Express Entry category. It also has two base categories: the Labour Impact and Business Impact categories.

When a category is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, it is “enhanced". Canada uses the Express Entry system to manage permanent residence applications through Canada’s main economic class immigration programs.

If you are in the Express Entry pool, you will be given a point score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada regularly holds Express Entry draws, where they invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Once you are nominated through an enhanced provincial program, such as the PEI PNP Express Entry, you get an additional 600 CRS points. This increase guarantees that you will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next draw. You also get your nomination through your Express Entry profile.

Most immigration streams under PNPs are base streams. This means that they are not aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates who get a provincial nomination need to 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:

The PEI PNP Express Entry is for candidates who have a valid Express Entry profile, wish to live and work in Prince Edward Island, and have skills that match current identified labor market needs in the province.

The labor Impact Category is for skilled workers and international graduates who have the skills and experience needed in PEI’s labour market. This category is divided into three streams:

  • Skilled Worker Stream;
  • Critical Worker Stream;
  • International Graduate Stream.

The Business Impact Category is for people who want to invest in a PEI business. It allows you to live in PEI on a work permit to learn about the business you are investing in before receiving a provincial nomination.

PEI PNP Express Entry

Needs a 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 of 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 are satisfied that you meet the minimum requirements, the first step to 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 asked multiple questions for which you must provide the correct information. You are able to come back and change the information provided at any time.

Based on the information you provide in the EOI, you will be given a point score according to the selection system points grid. You can score a maximum of 100 points.

During regular draws, the province invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. You will receive an email notification if you are invited.

You will be required to complete the application forms and your employer must also complete the employer forms. Submit your application within 60 days.

If successful, you will receive a provincial nomination. You must accept the nomination through your Express Entry account. You are likely going to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

Business Impact Category

The Business Impact Category has one stream: the Work Permit Stream.

Work Permit Stream

This stream is for people who wish to invest in a PEI business. They will be expected to begin working in Canada and learn about the business while on a work permit. After that, they can apply for a PEI provincial nomination for permanent residence.

Application Fees: CAD $10,000

If your application is declined or withdrawn before being interviewed, you will get a CAD $7,500 refund.

Processing time: 6 months or less

Minimum Requirements

  • Must be between 21 and 59 years old;
  • Must have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000;
  • Must have at least a secondary education;
  • Must have transferable management skills or business ownership;
  • Must meet the minimum language requirements of CLB 4;
  • Must intend to reside and work in PEI;
  • Must actively manage the proposed business from within PEI;
  • Your business must meet additional requirements.

How it works:

After that, you need to create a profile to register your interest in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system. You will need to provide some information while completing your profile. Your profile will stay active for six months.

You are allowed to make changes to your profile after you complete your profile, but before you’re invited to apply.

If you’re successful, you will receive an invitation to apply in your email. The email will also include further instructions. You’ll have 60 days to submit your application.

Complete the application package, submit all the required forms, gather supporting documentation and make the CAD $10,000 application fee.

You can submit your application in person, by courier, or by mail. Here are the details:

Office of Immigration

94 Euston Street, 2nd Floor

PO Box 1176

Charlottetown, PE

C1A 7M8

If your application is approved, the Office of Immigration will invite you for an in-person interview to talk about your business proposal and plan.

You’ll then have to submit a signed Performance Agreement, after which you may receive a letter of support from PEI. You can use this letter to apply for a work permit with IRCC.

Once you get your work permit, you’re required to move to PEI and report to the PEI Office of Immigration within 30 days of arriving.

You’ll be assigned a Settlement Officer, who will help you with establishing and operating the business and will be in touch with you regularly for progress reports.

If you meet the conditions of the Performance Agreement and other requirements, you will get nominated by PEI. After that, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence with IRCC.

Contact us for Assistance

Cohen Immigration Law is a leading Canadian immigration law firm with over 45 years of experience. Cohen Immigration Law features over 60 immigration lawyers, paralegals, and professionals who are dedicated to helping you immigrate to Canada.

OSI was founded as the online presence of Cohen Immigration Law. Since its launch in 1994, CanadaVisa has grown into one of the globe's most trusted resources on Canadian immigration. If you want to immigrate to Canada through the PNP or another skilled worker pathway, the first step is to complete a free CanadaVisa assessment form. If you are eligible for Canadian immigration, a member of the Cohen Immigration Law team will reach out to provide you with as much assistance as possible.