Prince Edward Island PNP

Prince Edward Island, located off the eastern coast of Canada, is the smallest province and is predominantly known as the “birthplace of confederation”. It is home to magnificent coasts, lush farmlands with booming agriculture tourism and fishing.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is for immigrants with business expertise, skilled workers, and young graduates who recently completed their post-secondary education. After receiving a Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate, candidates can apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada.

PEI PNP Streams

• PEI PNP Express Entry
• Labour Impact Category
  • Skilled Workers in PEI
  • Skilled Workers outside Canada
  • Critical Workers
  • International Graduates
• Business Impact Category

PEI PNP Express Entry

Candidates who qualify to enter the federal Express Entry pool and show intent to reside and work in PEI may apply to PEI Express Entry category. This stream does not necessarily require a candidate to hold a job offer, nevertheless, applicants currently living and working in PEI are given top priority. Applicants with a valid employment offer are also evaluated differently in the PEI Express Entry Ranking System. Candidates must qualify under 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

An individual is not eligible to apply if:

• In Canada on a study permit but not studying.
• currently working in PEI on a post graduate work permit (PGWP) and does not have at the time of submission of an Expression of Interest profile:
  • at least 6 months of full-time experience working for the same PEI employer
  • at least 4 months remaining prior to the work permit expiration

Labour Impact

The PEI labour impact category is for individual who have the desired skills and experience to meet the needs of PEI’s local market. This category is further divided into the following streams:

• Skilled Workers in PEI
• Skilled Workers outside Canada
• Critical Workers
• International Graduates

Skilled Workers in PEI

The Skilled Workers in PEI stream seeks foreign workers employed in PEI to fulfill skilled positions due to shortage in the local labour force. A candidate applying under the PEI Skilled Worker stream must:

• Have a full‐time, permanent, or minimum of two years, job offer from a PEI employer in a high skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B).
• Have full‐time work experience of minimum two years in the past five years.
• Hold a valid work permit to get employed in Canada.
• Have two-year post‐secondary degree or diploma
• Be between 18 and 59 years of age.
• Have sufficient language proficiency in English and/or French to perform the job duties. Language ability can be demonstrated by either:
  • a language test (taken in the last 2 years) with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4; or
  • PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form signifying employee’s proficiency in English and/or French to carry out the job responsibilities
• Have sufficient funds to accommodate the immigration expenditure (for himself/herself and the family) and establish in PEI.

Skilled Workers outside Canada

This stream is for foreign workers who currently reside outside of Canada and have a legitimate job offer from an eligible PEI employer. A candidate applying under the Skilled Workers outside Canada stream must:

• Have a full‐time, permanent, or minimum of two years, job offer from a PEI employer in a high skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B).
• Have full‐time work experience of minimum two years in the past five years.
• Have two-year post‐secondary degree or diploma
• Be between 18 and 59 years of age.
• Have sufficient language proficiency in English and/or French to perform the job duties. Language ability can be demonstrated by either:
  • a language test (taken in the last 2 years) with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4; or
  • PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form signifying employee’s proficiency in English and/or French to carry out the job responsibilities
• Have sufficient funds to accommodate the immigration expenditure (for himself/herself and the family) and establish in PEI.

Critical Workers

The Critical Workers targets foreign workers to fulfill intermediate skilled positions due to scarcity in the local labour force. To qualify for the critical worker stream, applicant must:

• Have a full‐time, permanent, or minimum of two years, employment offer from a PEI employer in an intermediate skilled occupation (NOC c or D).
• Have full‐time work experience of at least 6 months for the PEI employer.
• Hold a valid work permit and legal status in Canada.
• Have secondary school diploma at the least.
• Be between 18 and 59 years of age.
• have 2 years of full-time work experience or appropriate education in the past 5 years.
• Have CLB/NCLC 4 in English and/or French.
• Have sufficient funds to accommodate the immigration expenditure (for himself and the family) and establish in PEI.

International Graduates

The International Graduate stream is for fresh graduates from PEI post-secondary institute who can meet the local labour market needs. To qualify under this stream, the candidate must:

• Holds a post-secondary degree or diploma from a publicly funded PEI institute.
• Have a full-time, permanent, or minimum of two years employment offer from a PEI employer.
• have a valid post-graduate work permit and legal status in Canada.
• Be available to attend an interview with Office staff, if needed.
• Demonstrate English and/or French language proficiency to perform job responsibilities.
• Be between 18 and 59 years of age.
• Have sufficient funds to accommodate the immigration expenditure (for himself/herself and the family) and establish in PEI.

Business Impact Category

The Business Impact Stream is relevant for individual with business ownership or management experience who wants to establish in PEI. Entrepreneurs looking to purchase an existing business in PEI must first obtain approval from the PEI Office of Immigration to ensure that the business meets program criteria. To be considered an eligible business under the Business Impact Category, the business must:

• Be a for-profit corporation incorporated under the Companies Act of PEI or the Canada Business Corporations Act.
• Operate for the primary purpose of earning profits from active income through the provision of products/services.
• Be in good standing with the province on all debts and obligations.
• Have been an established commercial operation for 12 months prior to the intended business start date with validation provided to as part of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
• Maintain corporate headquarters in PEI.
• Maintain a ‘permanent establishment’ in PEI as defined under the Income Tax Act.
• Be liable to pay income tax on taxable income.
• Have good potential for sustained commercial viability.
• Agree to participate in the evaluation process of the PEI PNP, which requires the business to report to the Office of Immigration on an annual basis for up to five years.
• Have the potential to create significant economic benefits to PEI.
• Meet all terms listed in the Business Performance Agreement.

Foreign nationals with an intent to start or invest in a business in Prince Edward Island can leverage Work Permit stream and later apply for permanent residency in Canada. To apply through the Work Permit stream applicant must:

• Have a personal net worth of minimum $600,000 CAD.
• Have completed at least secondary school education.
• Be within 21-59 years.
• Be experienced business owners or have transferable management skills and past employment.
• Possess language proficiency equivalent to a CLB/NCLC 4.
• Show intend to reside and work in PEI whilst providing daily active and continuing management of PEI-based company.
• Be present for an interview with Immigration Office staff.
• Comply with legalities of the Performance Agreement signed with the Immigration Office.