Prince Edward Island PNP

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest province in Canada. Yet, despite its size, it is one of the most popular destinations for prospective immigrants due to its riches in natural beauty, history, and Canadian culture.

Prince Edward Island has excellent schools, almost no pollution or traffic, and is home to the historic Charlottetown Conference of 1864, eventually leading to the nation’s formation. In addition to being the birthplace of the confederation, the province has an exceptionally high quality of life. It is popular among tourists, thanks to its fantastic beaches, top-rated golf course, and many cultural attractions.

Known as one of Canada’s safest and closest-knit communities, it is easy to see why people worldwide want to live and work on Prince Edward Island. Here’s what you need to know about the Prince Edward Island PNP (PEI PNP) and its immigration streams. The PEI PNP was created for foreign workers to help the province’s economy by filling in in-demand jobs.

Below are the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program streams:

If You’re Applying to the PEI PNP via the Express Entry System:

Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

The 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 seeks. For those wanting to immigrate to PEI but do not have a job lined up, the good news is that the PEI Express Entry stream allows you to apply without a job offer from a PEI employer. 

In other words, PEI will accept applicants whose skill set is in demand with the right work experience that aligns with PEI’s labour needs. If the applicant meets PEI’s labour force needs criteria, the candidate will most likely receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

You could qualify for a provincial nomination via the PEI PNP Express Entry stream if you meet the requirements of one of the following Express Entry programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• Federal Skilled Trades Program; or
• Canadian Experience Class

Each of these programs requires a certain level of language ability, as shown through the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) System; education, as shown through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA); and work experience. 

Individuals nominated for Canadian immigration by the PEI PNP will receive enough points under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to practically guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence during the next draw. Once given the ITA, it does not take long to get accepted for PEI immigration, seeing as Express Entry processes applications in six months or less.

Only some will be accepted into the Prince Edward Island PNP through the Express Entry System. Candidates must have skills that meet current PEI labor needs. These requirements vary over time as labor needs change in the province. Candidates are encouraged to investigate the current needs of PEI before applying for the Express Entry System. If nominated through a PEI Express Entry stream, potential immigrants can apply for residency through Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) online system, which is much faster.

While applying through the Express Entry system is exceedingly popular, ensuring you have the best possible chance of qualifying and becoming a permanent resident quickly can be difficult. On top of this, ensuring you’re eligible for the program in the first place may also be daunting. One of the best ways to maximize your chances of everything running smoothly is to utilize professional immigration services curated by certified immigration experts like Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs). An RCIC can fully evaluate you to determine which program you’re most eligible for and help you formulate an application strategy to ensure you know your best pathway to Canada.

If You Have a Job Offer in Prince Edward Island:

Prince Edward Island Critical Workers Stream

The PEI Critical Worker Stream is employer-driven, allowing Island employers to fill low-skilled positions they cannot fill through the local job market. You can also apply to become a permanent resident of Canada through this stream if you are currently working in PEI, except for trucking-sector employers who may be recruited from other provinces within Canada.

Skilled Worker in Prince Edward Island Stream

You can apply for a nomination for permanent residency through the Skilled Worker in PEI Stream if an employer currently employs you in Prince Edward Island. 

Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream

You can apply for a nomination for permanent residency through the Skilled Worker Outside Canada Stream of the PEI PNP if you have a job offer from an Island employer.

If You’ve Studied in Prince Edward Island:

International Graduate Stream

You could apply for a nomination for permanent residency through the International Graduate Stream of the PEI PNP if you graduated from a publicly-funded PEI post-secondary institution. 

If You Want to Start a Business in PEI:

Business Start-Up and Entrepreneurship

Suppose you are interested in immigrating to Prince Edward Island and want to invest in and run a business. In that case, you may be eligible for a nomination for permanent residency through the Work Permit Stream of the PEI PNP. This stream is for foreign nationals with business ownership or extensive management experience who want to move to PEI to start their business and eventually become permanent residents.

What is a Performance Agreement?

It is an agreement that specifies what requirements you need to meet to get a PN from the province. These requirements are the following:

• 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:

• To buy 100% of the company, you must hand in a Sale Agreement; or
• To buy 33.33% of the company, you must hand in an Investment Agreement.

Ensuring you have everything you need to start a business in your country can be difficult. Doing the same in another country can be even more daunting. To help take the pressure and stress out of the process, we recommend you utilize the resources of an immigration professional like one of our RCICs. Our RCICs have years of experience, helping hundreds of hopeful applicants find their way to Canada. They can help ensure you have everything you need to start your new direction in Canada and maximize your chances.

Other PEI-Specific Programs:

While these programs are the only programs for those looking to move to Prince Edward Island precisely, another program can lead to permanent residency only open to a few provinces. That is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP).

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is aimed at skilled and semi-skilled individuals looking to move permanently to one of the four Atlantic provinces:

• Nova Scotia,
• New Brunswick,
• Newfoundland and Labrador, and, of course,
• Prince Edward Island.

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.

Find out more about the AIP and how to apply here. 

Why Move to Prince Edward Island?

Prince Edward Island is a small, charming island located on the east coast of Canada. It’s the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful and laid-back lifestyle, surrounded by beautiful beaches, rolling hills, and friendly locals.

Here are some reasons why you should consider moving to PEI:

Quality of Life

PEI is known for its high quality of life. The island has a low crime rate, affordable cost of living, and an excellent healthcare system. The island is also known for its friendly and welcoming community, making it easy to make friends and feel at home. Learn more about the people of Prince Edward Island here. 

Natural Beauty

PEI is a beautiful island with stunning beaches, rolling hills, and picturesque fishing villages. The island is also home to Prince Edward Island National Park, which offers hiking trails, camping, and beautiful scenery.

Culinary Delights

PEI is known for its delicious seafood, including lobster, oysters, and mussels. The island is also home to some of Canada’s best chefs, who create unique and delightful cuisine using local ingredients.

Outdoor Activities

PEI is the perfect destination if you love the outdoors. The island offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, golfing, fishing, and kayaking. Here are some outdoor activities you can look forward to when you move to PEI.

Arts and Culture

Despite its small size, PEI has a vibrant arts and culture scene. The island is known for its music and theatre festivals, as well as its museums and art galleries. Here are some exciting activities you can look forward to in Prince Edward Island.

Education

PEI offers a high-quality education system with excellent schools and universities. The island is also home to the University of Prince Edward Island, which provides various programs and degrees. Learn more about education in Prince Edward Island here.

Overall, if you’re looking for a peaceful and welcoming community surrounded by natural beauty and a vibrant arts and culture scene, then Prince Edward Island is the perfect destination. Learn more about what to expect from life on Prince Edward Island here. 

FAQs

Is it Easy to Get PR in Prince Edward Island?

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program has two parts to it:

1. Business Impact
2. Labour Impact

There are two easy methods to apply for permanent residency through the PEI PNP:

1. The first method is through the Express Entry stream of the Prince Edward Island PNP, which allows applicants to become Canadian permanent residents in approximately 6-8 months. If you’re applying outside the Express Entry system, the application can be made via the PEI office of immigration. Once accepted by PEI PNP, the applicant should have an Express Entry profile for potential nomination.
2. The second method is through the PNP PEI, where the applicant creates an Express Entry profile and an Expression of Interest to immigrate to PEI on the system. In turn, PEI PNP will contact the candidate via Express Entry to invite them to apply for the PNP.

What is the Average Cost of Living on Prince Edward Island?

According to Numbeo.com, the monthly cost of living for a single person in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island’s capital, is $1,292.50. This means that the cost of living is 1.23 times less than the average in many of Canada’s big cities, making it reasonably low. Learn more about Prince Edward Island’s living costs here.

Find Your Perfect Island in Canada

If you think Canada is the perfect place for you but do not know where to start your journey, you could massively benefit from consulting with an RCIC. An RCIC can help create your online profiles like an Express Entry profile or EOI, fill out your application forms, help you source and validate your documentation, monitor your application after you submit it, represent you with the relevant regulatory or immigration bodies, curate your CV to Canadian standards, provide you with courses that can help you assimilate to life in Canada better and provide you with the support and guidance you need throughout the application process.