The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) offers an opportunity for skilled workers and entrepreneurs to gain Canadian permanent residence by settling in this province. Through different immigration streams, PEI nominates candidates whose skills, education, and work experience align with local labour market needs. Whether you have a job offer, an entrepreneurial venture, or are an international graduate, this program provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence specifically for those wanting to make PEI their new home.
Table of Contents
- PEI PNP Streams
- General Eligibility Requirements for PEI PNP
- Employer Requirements for PEI PNP
- PEI PNP Application Process
- Prince Edward Island FAQs PNP FAQs
PEI PNP Streams
Prince Edward Island PNP offers various immigration pathways targeting immigrants with diverse backgrounds, including skilled workers, young graduates, and business professionals. Prince Edward Island streams cater to different categories of applicants, including those outside of Canada and those already working in PEI. Here’s an overview of the key streams:
Skilled Workers Outside Canada
Skilled Workers Outside Canada stream within the PEI PNP is meant for talent recruitment from outside of Canada. They need to have a job offer from a Prince Edward Island employer provided that the employer has obtained prior authorization from the Office of Immigration before issuing a job offer. Upon approval, a Work Permit Support Letter will be issued to the applicant to facilitate the process of obtaining a Work Permit.
Skilled Workers in PEI
The Skilled Workers in PEI stream is for individuals who are currently employed by an Island employer. This employer-driven stream allows PEI employers to fill high-skilled positions that they are unable to fill through the local job market.
Critical Worker Stream
This stream is for individuals seeking permanent residency who must be currently employed full-time in PEI to be eligible. Critical Worker stream enables Island employers to address labour shortages by filling intermediate-skilled positions that cannot be filled locally.
International Graduate Stream
Individuals who have graduated from a publicly-funded Prince Edward Island institution can seek a nomination for Permanent Residency through the International Graduate stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). This employer-driven stream enables Island employers to address labour shortages by offering positions to international graduates that cannot be filled locally.
Intermediate Experience Stream
Intermediate Experience Stream within the PEI PNP is meant for talent recruitment from outside of Canada. They need to have a job offer from a Prince Edward Island employer provided that the employer has obtained prior authorization from the Office of Immigration before issuing a job offer. Upon approval, the employer will be provided with a Work Permit Support Letter, which the applicant can use to seek a Work Permit.
Occupations in Demand
The Occupations in Demand stream of the PEI PNP is for individuals outside of Canada with a job offer from a Prince Edward Island employer who has received prior authorization from the Office of Immigration before issuing a job offer. Upon approval, the employer will be provided with a Work Permit Support Letter, which the applicant can use to seek a Work Permit. This stream allows PEI employers to address labour shortages by recruiting skilled workers from outside of Canada while ensuring that the selected candidates have the necessary qualifications and work experience to contribute to the province’s workforce.
Prince Edward Island – Express Entry
PEI Express Entry stream is for individuals who meet the requirements of at least one of the Federal Economic Immigration programs. Additionally, you need to create a Federal Express Entry Profile and be placed in the pool of candidates. You can create your profile at any time through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
PEI PNP General Eligibility Requirements
You may not be eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:
- Already have an active application registered with the PEI Office of Immigration
- Currently undergoing immigration processing in another Canadian province or territory
- Previously declined for misrepresentation in any immigration program
- Are living in Canada illegally
- Have faced denial of entry to or been instructed to depart from Canada or any other nation or territory
- Working in Canada without authorization
- Living in Canada, out of legal status, and have not applied for restoration of status within 90 days of losing your status
- Have an unresolved or failed refugee or a humanitarian and compassionate claim and living in Canada
- Lack of lawful admission into your present country of residence
- Do not have lawful residency status in your current country of residence
- Have a seasonal, part-time, or casual job in Prince Edward Island
- Got a sales position that is based solely on commission for compensation
- Self-employed
- The job is not based in PEI
- The job will be permanently based from a home or “virtual” office unless it meets certain policy
- Show in your application on a job offer where you are self-employed in Prince Edward Island
- Demonstrate that you are a shareholder in the business where you got the job
- Build your application around a job offer to launch a business and/or pursue self-employment in Prince Edward Island.
PEI PNP Employer Requirements
Employers must fulfill the following criteria:
- The company has operated continuously under current ownership/management in Prince Edward Island for a minimum of two years, addressing identified Labour shortages.
- Provide documentation demonstrating unsuccessful recruitment efforts for the intended profession within Canada, highlighting the criticality of the position to the company’s operations.
- Offer full-time, non-seasonal employment with either a permanent contract or a minimum two-year term.
- Ensure the job aligns with the applicant’s qualifications, including education, training, and/or experience.
- Ensure employment terms comply with all relevant provincial and federal workplace standards, including industry wage rates.
- Verify that the employment does not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements or ongoing employment disputes.
- Guarantee employment is located in Prince Edward Island.
- Confirm that the job applicant has the necessary certifications or credentials to work in Prince Edward Island.
- Provide a signed employment contract outlining the terms and conditions of the full-time job offer.
- Offer settlement support to the applicant and their family, if applicable, to aid in their establishment.
- Provide details of a Labour Market Impact Assessment, if applicable.
PEI PNP Application Process
PEI PNP provides an opportunity for skilled individuals to immigrate and establish themselves economically in the province. This comprehensive guide outlines the multi-step application process to apply for the program. By following these steps, prospective applicants can navigate the PEI PNP application process efficiently and increase their chances of successful nomination for permanent residency.
Step 1: Meet the PEI PNP Eligibility Criteria
Meet the stream-wise eligibility criteria requires applicants to carefully review and ensure they meet all mandatory requirements outlined for their chosen PEI PNP stream, such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, financial resources, and any additional stream-specific criteria before applying.
Step 2: Fill the Expression of Interest
Individuals who meet the program criteria and are interested in applying to the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program must submit a profile in the online Expression of Interest (EOI) system. You have the flexibility to establish your EOI account whenever you choose, simply by furnishing your contact details and passport information, along with a valid email address. After setting up your account, you can choose the Provincial Stream you wish to apply for and submit your profile for evaluation by the Office. Upon the selection of your profile, you will be issued an Invitation to Apply. Priority is given to those who demonstrate the greatest potential to become economically established in Prince Edward Island.
Step 3: Receive Invitation to Apply
Upon receiving an invitation to apply, you’ll be notified via email, which will contain your file number and a link to our Workforce Application Form. You’ll have a 60-day window from the date of the invitation to complete the online application form. If you fail to do so within this period, your invitation will lapse, thus submitting a new profile for consideration. You can check the status of your profile anytime by logging into your EOI account. If you opt not to proceed with your application, you have the option to withdraw your profile through the EOI system. It’s important to note that while you may submit a new profile immediately, there’s no guarantee of receiving another Invitation to Apply.
Step 4: Prepare your PEI PNP Application
If you are invited to apply, you must submit your Workforce Application Form electronically and pay the CAD 300 fee through PEI’s online service. Collect all filled-out forms and necessary supporting documents as indicated in the checklist. Complete all inquiries and sign all forms where necessary. By signing these documents, you are certifying that all information provided, whether prepared by you or not, is complete and true. If your documents are not in English or French, provide a copy of the certified translation and a copy of the original document.
Step 5: PEI PNP Application Submission Process
When you submit your Workforce Application Form, you’ll be prompted to pay the Application Fee. Accepted payment methods include MasterCard, Visa, Mastercard Debit, and Visa Debit. Once your payment is approved, your online application will be received by the Office. Within two business days, you’ll receive a secure link to upload your supporting documents. Once all your supporting documents are uploaded in one PDF, your application will be considered complete. You can check the status of your application by logging into your Expression of Interest account. If additional information is needed, a program officer will contact you or your representative.
Step 6: Permanent Residency Application Submission
If you’re nominated by PEI, you must submit your Permanent Residency application within three months of receiving your nomination certificate. You must maintain the conditions of your nomination while awaiting a decision on your PR application. IRCC will decide on all PR applications.
If you fail to comply with the PEI Office of Immigration’s requirements, your application will be refused, and a decline letter will be issued. There’s no appeal process for refused applications, and processing fees won’t be refunded. You can submit a new application after six months from the date of the letter, but you must meet the program criteria at that time.
If it’s found that you or any person associated with your application misrepresented or withheld material facts, leading to errors in program administration, your application will be refused due to misrepresentation, regardless of meeting eligibility requirements. Applicants refused for misrepresentation are barred from applying to the PEI Office of Immigration for two years from the decision date.
Step 7: Arrival in PEI
If your Permanent Residency application is approved by IRCC, you may be contacted for up to five years after landing for a short survey to update your file.
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program offers an opportunity for skilled individuals to build a new life. By carefully following the application process, you increase your chances of a successful nomination and eventual permanent residency. Whether you are a skilled worker or recent graduate the program provides pathways to permanent residency in Prince Edward Island.
Overall, the PEI PNP offers a strategic approach to attract and retain the talent needed to drive continued growth. For individuals seeking to make Prince Edward Island their new home, the program provides a clear and accessible route.
PEI PNP FAQs
1. Who is eligible to apply for the PEI PNP?
A. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the stream chosen within the PEI PNP. Generally, individuals with the required skills, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
2. What are the key streams available under the PEI PNP?
A. The PEI PNP offers several streams like skilled workers outside Canada, skilled workers already in PEI, critical workers, international graduates, individuals with intermediate experience, and those in occupations in demand.
3. What are the requirements for employers participating in the PEI PNP?
A. Employers in Prince Edward Island must meet specific criteria outlined by the PEI PNP, including operating continuously in the province for a minimum of two years, providing full-time non-seasonal employment, ensuring job alignment with applicant qualifications, complying with workplace standards, offering settlement support, and providing necessary documentation such as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if applicable.
4. What is the application process for the PEI PNP?
A. The application process involves several steps, including meeting eligibility criteria, submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), preparing and submitting the application along with required documentation, paying the application fee, and awaiting a decision. Once nominated, applicants must also submit their permanent residency application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
5. What happens after receiving a nomination through the PEI PNP?
A. Upon receiving a nomination from the PEI PNP, applicants must submit their permanent residency application to IRCC within the specified timeframe and maintain the conditions of nomination while awaiting a decision on the PR application.
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