Prince Edward Island the safest and closest knit communities in Canada
Canada’s tiniest province is Prince Edward Island (PEI). Despite its small size, it is a favourite destination for immigrants because of its abundance of natural beauty, history, and Canadian culture.
The Charlottetown Conference of 1864, which finally led to the creation of the United States, was held in Prince Edward Island in 1864. With its beautiful beaches, world-class golf course, and plethora of cultural attractions, the province of Nova Scotia is a prominent tourist destination as well as the birthplace of the Canadian confederation.
Prince Edward Island Immigration Streams
As one of Canada’s safest and most tightly-knit communities, Prince Edward Island attracts individuals from all over the world to live and work there. Canada’s Express Entry immigration procedure is the quickest and most convenient route for a foreign national to immigrate to Prince Edward Island. A primer on the Prince Edward Island PNP (or PEI) and its several immigration streams is provided here.
To support the economy of Prince Edward Island, the PEI PNP (Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program) was developed for foreign employees.
All three primary categories of the programme are included here.
The following are the seven pathways to Canadian permanent residence available to residents of the province of Prince Edward Island who apply through the Provincial Nominee Program:
| Prince Edward Island PNP Categories |
|---|
| Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream |
| Prince Edward Island Critical Workers Stream |
| Skilled Worker in Prince Edward Island Stream |
| Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream |
| The Atlantic Immigration Pilot |
| International Graduate Stream |
| Business Start-Up and Entrepreneurship |
Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream
The Canada Express Entry System allows the province of Prince Edward Island to attract potential immigrants for their provincial nominee program. The province can send a “Notification of Interest” to people whose Express Entry profiles match the criteria the province is seeking.
The Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System gives individuals recommended by the PEI PNP for Canadian immigration enough points that they are almost certain to be invited to apply in the next draw. There’s no need to wait long after receiving an Invitation to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (IPR) under the Express Entry system, which processes applications in six months or fewer.
Through the Express Entry System, not all applicants to the Prince Edward Island PNP will be approved. Candidates must be able to demonstrate that their qualifications are in line with the present labour market demands on the province of Prince Edward Island. The province’s labour demands change with time, therefore these requirements are subject to change. Before submitting an Express Entry application, it is recommended that interested parties research the present state of affairs in Prince Edward Island. A potential immigrant can apply for Canadian residency using Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s online system if they were nominated through a PEI Express Entry stream.
| Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience | Express Entry Requirements (1 year for FSWP and CEC; 2 years for FSTP) |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 6 months |
Prince Edward Island Critical Workers Stream
Companies on the island may be able to fill low-skilled positions they are unable to fill locally with the support of the PEI Critical Worker Program. However, the exception is trucking businesses, which are allowed to bring in personnel from other provinces to work on Prince Edward Island.
| Prince Edward Island Critical Workers Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | Yes, work experience |
| Job Offer | Yes in NOC C or D |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum of CLB 4 or above |
| Level of Education | Secondary School |
| Work Experience | Have worked a minimum of six months full-time for a PEI employer |
| Age | 18-59 |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 18 months |
Skilled Worker in Prince Edward Island Stream
If you are currently employed by an Island company, you can apply for a nomination for permanent residency through the Skilled Worker in PEI Stream. Businesses may fill high-skilled roles on the island that they can’t find in the local labour market thanks to the Skilled Worker stream.
| Skilled Worker in Prince Edward Island Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | Yes, work experience |
| Job Offer | Yes in NOC O, A, or B |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum of CLB 4 or above |
| Level of Education | Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree |
| Work Experience | Have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years |
| Age | 18-59 |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 18 months |
Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) Skilled Worker Outside Canada Stream allows you to apply for a nomination for permanent residency if you have a work offer from an Island firm. Businesses on PEI can use the PEI Skilled Worker Program to fill high-skilled positions that they can’t fill in the local labour market.
| Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | Yes in NOC O, A, or B |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum of CLB 4 or above |
| Level of Education | Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree (2-years) |
| Work Experience | Have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years |
| Age | 18-59 |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 18 months |
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot
With the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, skilled and semi-skilled persons who want to relocate permanently to one of the four eastern Canadian provinces are eligible. There are three programs within the pilot, namely:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program – for international graduates who have just graduated from a Prince Edward Island Institute.
- Atlantic High Skilled Program – for skilled professionals with at least one year of experience and an accredited foreign degree or diploma.
- Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Program – for semi-skilled workers with at least one year of experience, the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, and industry-specific training.
International Graduate Stream
If you’re a recent graduate of a Prince Edward Island public post-secondary school, you may be eligible to apply for nomination for permanent residence under the PEI PNP’s International Graduate Stream. Employers set the criteria for the International Graduate Program, which makes it easier for them to fill positions that go unfilled in the local labour market.
| International Graduate Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | Yes, education |
| Job Offer | Yes, a minimum of 2-years |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum of CLB 4 or above |
| Level of Education | Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree obtained in PEI |
| Work Experience | No |
| Age | 18-59 |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 18 months |
Business Start-Up and Entrepreneurship
Work Permit Stream
If you are interested in immigrating to Prince Edward Island and would like to invest in and run a business, you may be eligible for a nomination for permanent residency through the Work Permit Stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). This stream is for foreign nationals with business ownership or extensive management experience who would like to move to PEI to start their business, and eventually become a permanent resident.
| Work Permit Stream Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $600, 000 |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum of CLB 4 or above |
| Level of Education | Secondary School |
| Work Experience | Have transferable management skills and past employment or business ownership experience; |
| Age | 21-59 |
| Performance Agreement | Yes |
What is a Performance Agreement?
In this agreement, the province sets out what you need to do in order to acquire your PN. These are the following criteria:
- Reports and watching of guidelines;
- Reports of investments and when they occurred;
- The amount you invested; and
- Requirements of both pre and post nomination
Please note that if you:
- Buy 100% of the company you must hand in a Sale Agreement; or
- Buy 33.33% of the company you must hand in an Investment Agreement
Buy or Sell a PEI Business
A business marketplace on the provincial website of Prince Edward Island that connects persons interested in buying or selling a business in the province.
