Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program: Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province. It is made up of the island itself and a few other islands nearby.
People say that PEI is “where Canada began.” PEI was the site of the “Charlottetown Conference” in 1864, which led to the creation of the country. The island state is known for its beautiful coastlines and lush farmland. It also has a growing economy based on agriculture, tourism, and fishing.
The PEI PNP is the Provincial Nominee Program for Prince Edward Island. Through this scheme, people who want to move to Prince Edward Island and have the skills and experience the province wants can get a Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate. After that, they can apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence.
A Brief Look at the PEI PNP
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) started in 2001 to bring and keep more immigrants in the province who could help meet economic and job market needs and make the economy stronger.
The PEI PNP brings in people who are likely to stay on the island because they have the skills, experience, and education to do so. Since the PNP started, the state is getting more and more immigrants.
The most people come to PEI per person than anywhere else in Canada. Before the pandemic, about 1.6% of people moved there, compared to about 0.9% of people in the rest of the country. As a share of the population, the state has the most newcomers of any in Canada.
Since 2015, the province has received more than 2,000 new immigrants every year, and it’s likely that number will keep going up. Before the PNP started, less than 200 new people moved to the area each year.
Since the PNP and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) were started in 2001 and 2017, respectively, the province has been getting more immigration. Employers in Canada’s Atlantic states can use the AIP to hire foreign workers for jobs that they couldn’t find locals for. The Atlantic provinces of Canada are New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The PEI PNP has one improved area, which is called PEI PNP Express Entry. It also has two main categories: Business Impact and Labour Impact.
When a category matches the government Express Entry system, it is said to be “enhanced.” Canada’s main economic class immigration programs use the Express Entry system to handle requests for permanent residence.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will be used to give you a point score if you are in the Express Entry pool. Canada has Express Entry draws often, where the top-ranked applicants are asked to apply for permanent residency.
You get 600 more CRS points when you are nominated through an enhanced provincial scheme like the PEI PNP Express Entry. This rise makes sure that you will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next draw.
Most of the ways to immigrate through PNPs are base streams. This indicates that they are not synchronized with Express Entry. If a candidate gets a recommendation from their province, they must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Types of PEI Immigration categories:
If you want to move to PEI, you can do one of these three things:
- PEI PNP Express Entry;
- Labour Impact Category;
- Business Impact Category.
The PEI PNP Express Entry is for people who have a valid Express Entry profile, want to live and work in Prince Edward Island, and have skills that match the present needs of the province’s labour market.
The Labour Impact Category is for skilled workers and foreign graduates with the skills and experience needed in PEI’s job market. This group has three different streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream;
- Critical Worker Stream;
- International Graduate Stream.
People who want to invest in a PEI business should choose the Business Impact Category. It lets you get a work permit so you can live in PEI and learn about the business you want to invest in before you get a state nomination.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry
Needs of a job: No
The fee to apply is $300 CAD.
Time to process: 6 months
Minimum Requirements:
- Need to have an identity for Express Entry;
- Must be qualified for one of the three main federal economic class immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
If you have a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) or an open work permit for your spouse, you must:
- Your PGWP must be good for at least four months when you send in your EOI;
- Must have gone to school outside of PEI, or be married to someone who did;
- Must have worked for at least nine months for a company in PEI.
What happens:
To apply for the PEI PNP Express Entry, the first thing you need to do is make a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This shows that you meet the minimum requirements.
When you make a profile, you will be asked a number of things that you must answer correctly. You can come back at any time and change the information you gave.
Using the points grid for the selection method, the information you give in the EOI will be used to give you a point score. The most points you can get is 100.
The province holds regular draws and asks the candidates with the best scores to apply for a provincial nomination. If you are asked, you will get an email about it.
You have to fill out the application forms, and your boss has to fill out the employer forms as well. You have 60 days to send in your application.
You will get a regional nomination if you win. You must use your Express Entry account to accept the application. In the next Express Entry draw, you are likely to get an offer to apply for permanent residence.
Labour Impact Category
There are three streams in the Labour Impact Category:
Skilled Worker Stream
This stream is for workers who a PEI company has found or hired. You must be working in PEI or have a job offer from a PEI company to apply to this stream. Applicants who are eligible will work in a skilled job and have appropriate experience and at least a degree or diploma from a post-secondary school.
Critical Worker Stream
This stream is for workers who have already been hired by a PEI employer and whose workplace wants to sponsor them for permanent residence. Applicants who are eligible can work in a semi-skilled or untrained job.
International Graduate Stream
This stream is for people who have recently graduated from universities and schools in Prince Edward Island that are known and respected. You must already have a job with a company in PEI. Those who are eligible will work in a skilled job that is related to their field of study.
The fee to apply is $300 CAD.
Time to process: 6 months or less
Minimum requirements:
- Minimum age is 21, maximum age is 59;
- Must have an offer of a full-time, permanent, or at least two-year job in an eligible position from a PEI company;
- Have enough money to live on Prince Edward Island;
- Must plan to live in Prince Edward Island;
- Must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) language standards of 4.
Additional Requirements
Skilled Worker Stream
- The National Occupational Classification (NOC) level of the job must be 0 or A or B;
- Must have at least a two-year degree or license from a college or university;
- Must have worked full-time for at least two years in the last five years;
- If you live in Canada, you must have a legal work permit;
- If you live outside of Canada, you must be allowed in the country where you live.
Critical Worker Stream
The job being offered must be one of the following:
- Driving a truck;
- The person who helps customers;
- a worker;
- Server of food and drinks; or
- Cleaner of the house.
- Must have worked full-time for PEI for at least six months;
- Must have the right to work in Canada;
- Must have finished at least high school;
- Must have worked or gone to school in the last five years for at least two years or have appropriate work experience.
International Graduate Stream
- The National Occupational Classification (NOC) level of the job must be 0 or A or B.
- Must have worked for the PEI employer for at least six months in a job that is connected to your education;
- Must have a Post-Graduation Work Permit that is still active.
- Must have finished from high school and gotten a degree or diploma from a post-secondary school in PEI.
How it works
The first step is to make sure that one of the Labour Impact streams is right for you. Once you’re sure, make your Expression of Interest (EOI) page and send it in.
You will get a score based on the points grid for the selection method based on the information you put in your EOI profile.
PEI holds provincial draws often, inviting the candidates with the best scores to apply for a provincial nomination. If you get an invitation, you’ll have up to 60 days to send in your application and all the papers needed to support it.
You will get a regional nomination if you win. You can send a full application for permanent residence in Canada to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with your nomination certificate.
Business Impact Category.
The Work Permit Stream is the only stream in the Business Impact Category.
Work Permits Stream
People who want to invest in a business on Prince Edward Island can use this stream. With a work permit, they will be expected to start working in Canada and learn about the business. After that, they can ask the province of PEI for a nomination to live there permanently.
The application fee is $10,000 CAD.
If your application is turned down or pulled before you are asked, you will get CAD $7,500 back.
Time to process: 6 months or less
The minimum eligibility:
- Minimum age is 21, maximum age is 59;
- Required minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD;
- Must have at least a high school diploma;
- Must have management skills that can be used elsewhere or own a business;
- Must have a minimum proficiency level of CLB 4;
- Must plan to stay in PEI and work there;
- Must run the planned business actively from PEI;
- Your business needs to meet more standards.
How it works:
The first step is to make sure you qualify for the Work Permit Stream.
After that, you need to make a page in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system to show that you are interested. When you fill out your profile, you will need to give some details. Your page will be up and running for the next six months.
You can make changes to your resume after you’ve finished it but before you’re asked to apply.
If you are chosen, you will get an email inviting you to apply. There will also be more directions in the email. You will have 60 days to fill out and send in your application.
Complete the application package, send in all the forms, gather any supporting documents, and pay the CAD $10,000 application fee.
Your application can be sent in person, by mail, or by delivery. If your application is accepted, the Office of Immigration will ask you to talk about your business plan and idea in person.
Then, you’ll have to send in a signed Performance Agreement. If PEI likes what you’ve done, they might send you a letter of support. This letter can be used to ask IRCC for a work pass.
You have to move to PEI and go to the PEI Office of Immigration within 30 days of getting your work permit.
You’ll be given a Settlement Officer who will help you set up and run the business and will check in with you regularly to let you know how things are going.
PEI will put you forward if you meet the terms of the Performance Agreement and other standards. After that, you can go to IRCC and ask to become a permanent resident of Canada.
Summary:
- Economic growth through skilled immigrants
- Three Categories: Express Entry, Labour Impact, Business Impact
- Invest, work, and live in PEI
- 600 CRS points boost
- Language & experience requirements
- Nomination & Permanent Residency
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PEI PNP:
1. What is the PEI PNP (Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program)?
The PEI PNP is a program that allows individuals with the desired skills and qualifications to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada, through a provincial nomination. This nomination enhances their chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residency.
2. What are the main categories of the PEI PNP?
The PEI PNP has three main categories:
- Express Entry: For individuals with skills matching PEI’s labor market needs.
- Labour Impact: For skilled workers, critical workers, and international graduates.
- Business Impact: For those looking to invest in a PEI business.
3. How does the Express Entry category work?
- This category is for those with an Express Entry profile and skills needed in PEI.
- No job offer is required, but you need to qualify for one of the federal economic class programs (FSWP, FSTP, or CEC).
- An enhanced provincial nomination gives you an additional 600 CRS points.
4. What are the streams under the Labour Impact category?
The Labour Impact category includes:
- Skilled Worker Stream: For skilled workers with a PEI job offer.
- Critical Worker Stream: For semi-skilled workers with a PEI job offer.
- International Graduate Stream: For recent PEI graduates with job offers.
5. How does the Business Impact category work?
- The Work Permit Stream is the only stream under Business Impact.
- It allows individuals to invest in a PEI business, work there, and eventually apply for permanent residency.
6. What are the minimum requirements for the PEI PNP Express Entry category?
- Qualify for one of the federal economic class programs.
- Meet specific criteria related to education, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Having a valid Express Entry profile is crucial.
7. How can I apply for the Labour Impact category?
- Choose the appropriate stream (Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, or International Graduate).
- Create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile in the PEI system.
- Based on the points grid, candidates with the best scores are invited to apply.
8. What’s the process for the Business Impact category?
- Qualify for the Work Permit Stream by meeting age, net worth, education, and language requirements.
- Create an EOI profile in the PEI system.
- If selected, submit a full application, business plan, and pay the application fee.
- Once approved, you’ll receive a work permit and can start your business in PEI.
9. What’s the benefit of a provincial nomination?
A provincial nomination enhances your Express Entry profile with 600 additional CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in the next draw.
10. How long does the PEI PNP application process take?
The processing time varies, but generally, it takes around 6 months for Express Entry and Labour Impact categories.
11. Can I change my information in the EOI profile after submission?
Yes, you can update your profile within the six-month validity period.
12. What’s the role of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in the process?
CRS is used to score Express Entry candidates in the pool. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score.
Check out our Web Story at https://celpip.biz/web-stories/prince-edward-island-provincial-nominee-program-2/
