How to Immigrate to Prince Edward Island Via the PEI PNP

13 Mar 2025

Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada’s smallest province, offers scenic beauty, a relaxed lifestyle, and growing economic opportunities. If you want to immigrate to PEI, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residency in the Atlantic province. This program allows PEI to nominate individuals who meet specific criteria and intend to contribute to the province’s economic and social development.

This guide will go into the various immigration pathways offered by the PEI PNP, focusing on its key streams, eligibility requirements, and application processes.

PEI PNP

The PEI PNP is designed to address the province's labor market needs and attract individuals with the skills and experience necessary to support its economic growth. It operates under agreements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), enabling PEI to nominate eligible candidates for Canadian permanent residency.

The program is dynamic, with streams and requirements subject to change based on the province’s evolving needs. Therefore, referring to the official PEI government website for the most up-to-date information is vital. The PEI PNP offers several streams, each catering to different categories of applicants. Key streams relevant to skilled workers and graduates include:

PEI PNP Express Entry Stream: This stream aligns with the federal Express Entry system, allowing PEI to nominate eligible candidates from the federal pool.
PEI PNP Skilled Worker Stream: This stream is designed for individuals with job offers from PEI employers.
PEI PNP International Graduate Stream: This stream targets graduates from recognized PEI post-secondary institutions.
PEI PNP Critical Worker Stream: This stream is for those already working in PEI in specific in-demand occupations.

PEI Express Entry

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Express Entry is a provincial immigration pathway aligned with Canada's federal Express Entry system. It is designed to attract skilled workers who can contribute to PEI’s labor market. The selection process is influenced by federal immigration quotas, application volumes, and the province’s economic needs. PEI prioritizes skilled workers in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, trades, and childcare while limiting invitations for those in the sales and service sectors.

Application for PEI Express Entry

To qualify for nomination through PEI Express Entry, applicants must meet the requirements of at least one Federal Economic Immigration Program, including the:

Candidates must also create a Federal Express Entry Profile through IRCC and be placed in the Express Entry pool.

PEI prioritizes applicants who are:

Already working and residing in the province with a valid job offer from an eligible PEI employer.
Have a spousal open work permit based on their spouse’s study permit outside of PEI.
Have at least nine months of continuous full-time work experience with their PEI employer and
Have at least four months remaining on their work permit when submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Skilled Workers Outside Canada

The PEI PNP's Skilled Worker Stream extends to individuals outside Canada, facilitating talent recruitment for PEI employers facing labor shortages in key sectors like healthcare, trades, and childcare. This stream requires employer pre-approval from the PEI Office of Immigration before extending a job offer to foreign nationals.

The eligibility requirements for the Skilled Workers Outside Canada include the following.

Securing a full-time, non-seasonal job offer (minimum two years) in a Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
Have at least two years of full-time work experience within the past five years,
Hold legal residency status in their current country,
Completed a minimum two-year post-secondary degree or diploma.
You must be at least 18 to 59 years old,
English or French proficiency must be demonstrated through an IRCC-approved language test, i.e., Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 4 minimum) or employer verification.
Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources and a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Application for the Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream

The application process begins with the Canadian employer obtaining pre-approval, followed by the applicant creating an online Expression of Interest (EOI) profile. Applicants submit provincial and employer forms and a non-refundable 300 CAD fee if invited. Hiring an immigration consultant is optional but requires registration with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) or a provincial law society.

Upon receiving a provincial nomination, applicants must apply for Canadian permanent residency through IRCC. It is vital to maintain accurate information and notify the PEI Office of Immigration and IRCC of any changes. Applicants are expected to remain with their nominating employer until permanent residency is granted.

Critical Workers Stream

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Critical Worker Stream is an employer-driven immigration pathway under the PEI Provincial Nominee Program). It helps PEI employers fill intermediate-skilled positions that cannot be filled through the local job market. The program is influenced by federal immigration quotas, application volumes, and labor market needs, prioritizing healthcare, trade, and childcare sectors.

Currently, sales and service sector individuals may not receive an invitation to apply. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is not an application but an indication of interest in being considered for the PEI PNP. The PEI Office of Immigration reserves the right to limit intake or exclude certain applicants based on provincial needs. To qualify for the PEI Critical Worker Stream, applicants must:

Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer in a TEER category 4 or 5 position.
Have at least six months of continuous full-time work experience with the PEI employer.
Hold a valid Canadian work permit and legal status in Canada.
Have completed at least secondary school education.
Be between 18 and 59 years old.
Possess at least two years of work experience or relevant education in the past five years.
Provide a language test (CLB/NCLC 4 minimum score) from an IRCC-approved testing institute within the past two years.
Show sufficient financial resources to cover immigration expenses and settlement in PEI.
Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Application for Critical Workers Stream

Eligible applicants must review the Workforce Application Guide and create a profile in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system. A valid email address and passport details are required to register. Applicants can only have one active profile at a time. Profiles remain active for six months. An applicant's situation before receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) can be updated in the profile.

However, after receiving an ITA, any changes must be reported to the PEI Office of Immigration, which may affect the final decision. If invited to apply for ITA, applicants receive an email notification with a file number and submission instructions. Applicants and their employers must complete the necessary application forms.

Work Permit Expiry and PEI Critical Worker Stream

Applicants must ensure they maintain legal status in Canada and cannot rely on PEI’s Office of Immigration for work permit extensions. If eligible for PEI’s Workforce streams, applicants can submit an Expression of Interest. If nominated, they receive a Work Permit Support Letter, allowing them to apply for a new work permit from the Federal Government without needing a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

However, IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are responsible for issuing Canadian work permits. Applicants who have already applied for Permanent Residency (PR) may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), allowing them to continue working while waiting for their PR decision. BOWP approvals are at IRCC’s discretion.

International Graduates Stream

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) International Graduate Stream is part of the PEI PNP, designed to help employers fill positions that cannot be filled through the local labor market. This employer-driven stream is available to publicly funded PEI post-secondary institution graduates who have secured full-time employment in the Canadian province.

The PEI Office of Immigration prioritizes skilled workers in high-demand healthcare, trades, and childcare sectors. Individuals in sales and service roles may not currently receive invitations to apply. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is not an application but an indication of interest in being considered for the PEI PNP. The Office may limit intake or exclude certain applicants based on labor market needs. To qualify for the PEI International Graduate Stream, applicants must:

Have graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in PEI.
Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer for at least two years.
Hold a valid post-graduate work permit and maintain legal status in Canada.
Attend an interview with PEI Office of Immigration staff if required.
If working in a high-skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), demonstrate sufficient English or French proficiency as confirmed by the employer through PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form.
If working in an intermediate-skilled occupation (TEER 4 or 5), provide a language test result (CLB/NCLC 4 minimum score) from an IRCC-approved testing institute (valid for two years).
Be 18 to 59 years old.
Have sufficient financial resources to cover immigration costs and settlement expenses.
Show a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Application Process for International Graduates Stream

Applicants must review the Workforce Application Guide and create a profile in the PEI EOI system. They must also register with a valid email address and passport details. Each profile remains active for six months. Any updates to an applicant’s situation must be reflected before receiving an ITA.

Changes after an ITA must be reported to the PEI Office of Immigration, as they may impact the final decision. Applicants' ITA will receive an email notification with a file number and submission instructions. Both the applicant and employer must complete the required forms.

Work Permit Expiry and PEI International Graduate Stream

Applicants must maintain legal status in Canada and cannot rely on the PEI Office of Immigration for work permit extensions. If eligible, applicants can submit an Expression of Interest and, if invited, apply for Nomination. Upon approval, they receive a Work Permit Support Letter, which allows them to apply for a new work permit from the Federal Government without needing an LMIA.

However, IRCC and the CBSA handle work permit approvals. Applicants waiting for Canadian permanent residency may qualify for a BOWP, allowing them to continue working while awaiting their PR decision. BOWP approvals are at IRCC’s discretion.

FAQs

What Are My Responsibilities After Immigrating to PEI Through the PNP?

After immigrating to PEI through the PEI PNP, you must live and work in the province to fulfill the program's requirements. You should update the PEI Office of Immigration about any changes in your employment or personal circumstances. Additionally, you must actively contribute to the local economy and integrate into the community to support your long-term settlement.

Can I Hire an Immigration Consultant to Help With My PEI PNP Application?

Yes, you can hire an immigration consultant or lawyer to assist with your PEI PNP application, but it is not mandatory. The consultant must be registered with the CICC or a lawyer in good standing with a provincial law society. Any representative must also be officially registered with the PEI Office of Immigration before applying on your behalf.

Is There an Age Limit for the PEI PNP?

Yes, PEI PNP applicants must be between 18 and 59 at the time of application. This age requirement ensures that candidates have the potential to participate actively in the workforce. Applicants outside this age range are generally not eligible for nomination under the program.