Last Updated on September 21, 2020

Prince Edward Island has conducted a first mass immigration draw since the start of the coronavirus crisis open to candidates from overseas.

The September 17 draw was also the largest of 2020, with invitations issued to 345 candidates through the Labour Impact, Express Entry and Business Impact Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) streams.

Previous draws since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in March had either been aimed at specific occupations, or only open to candidates already in P.E.I.

The latest draw saw 313 invites issued to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, while Business Impact candidates received 32 invitations.

Business Impact candidates also required a minimum score of 102 points.

PEI PNP Immigration Draws 2020

PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018 and has made monthly draws ever since, with some disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The next draw is planned for October 15, although this will depend on how the pandemic develops.

Anticipated 2020 Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw Dates

October 15
November 19
December 17

Video: How PNP Immigrants Can Move Anywhere in Canada

PEI issued a total of 1,629 invites during 2019. Of these, 1,436 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 193 going to Business Impact candidates.

Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

PEI’s Express Entry category operates by considering candidates already in the federal Express Entry Pool for a provincial nomination.

Such a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration.

The PEI Express Entry Category features two pathways to Canadian permanent residence, one for candidates with a job offer and one for those without.

Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

1) Skilled Worker Stream

This employer driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian Permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

• A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as skill level “0”, “A” or “B” of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
• Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
• Between 21 and 55 years of age;
• At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
• Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
• Sufficient settlement funds;
• Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Stream

This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:

• A full time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
  • Truck driver;
  • Customer service representative;
  • Labourer;
  • Food & beverage server;
  • Housekeeping attendant.
• 6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
• Current valid Canadian work permit;
• High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
• Between 21 and 55 years of age;
• At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
• Sufficient settlement funds;
• Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category

Work Permit Stream

Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.

After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.

Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.