PEI conducts new draw for Express Entry, Labour and Business candidates

FILE: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Photo By Doug Kerr/Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0)

Prince Edward Island has issued new invitations to apply for a provincial nomination to candidates in its Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact categories.

The province’s Office of Immigration issued a total of 116 invitations to Express Entry and Labour Impact Category candidates and eight to candidates in its Business Impact Category.

The minimum score for Business Impact Category candidates was 152. PEI’s Office of Immigration did not provide a minimum score for the Labour Impact and Express Entry invitations.

Express Entry candidates who wish to be considered under the PEI Express Entry Category must create a profile in the province’s Expression of Interest system. Profiles are reviewed and assigned points based on six selection factors: age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Express Entry candidates who have been invited through the PEI Express Entry Stream have 90 days from the invitation date to submit a complete application to the province’s Office of Immigration. Applicants who are nominated by PEI receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, leaving them well position to receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence.

PEI’s Labour Impact Category is for individuals who possess skills and experience that are needed in PEI’s labour market. The category is divided into three streams: Skilled Workers, Critical Workers and International Graduates.

Controversial business streams now closed

The Government of Prince Edward Island announced last week that the September 20 draw would be the final invitation round for the Business Impact Category’s 100% Ownership and Partial Ownership streams, which had become mired in controversy.

The streams allowed candidates to be nominated for permanent residence by PEI in exchange for opening a business in the province. Investigations revealed, however, that many never opened a business after receiving permanent residence status.

Prince Edward Island says it will maintain the Business Impact Category’s Work Permit Stream, which issues immigrant entrepreneurs with a temporary work permit to start their business and only nominates them for Canadian permanent residence once the terms of their performance agreement are met.