Last Updated on January 18, 2021

Prince Edward Island has published its anticipated 2021 draw dates for its Expression of Interest system, with the first expected on Thursday January 21.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) plans to conduct monthly draws throughout the year.

Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest covers the province’s immigration streams for Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact candidates.

Monthly draws were interrupted in March to August 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis. PEI began conducting more sporadic draws in response to the crisis.

However, the monthly pattern resumed later in the year. 

Anticipated 2021 Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw Dates

January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16 

PEI issued a total of 1,955 invites during 2020, up from 1,629 in 2019.

Of the 2020 invites, 1,742 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 213 going to Business Impact candidates.

PEI PNP Immigration Draws 2020

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.