PEI releases details of June immigration draw

There are over 80 PNP streams in Canada through which potential candidates can gain permanent residence. (File Photo: Andy Holmes/Unsplash)

The province has issued invitations to more than 130 eligible candidates.

Prince Edward Island has issued 136 invitations under the PEI Provincial Nomination Program (PEI PNP). The draw was held on June 16.

A total of 127 invitations were under the Labour and Express Entry streams. Nine invitations were issued under PEI’s business impact and work permit stream with a minimum point threshold of 65. The total number of invitations for this draw is less than the most recent draw on May 20, when 153 invitations were issued.

PEI schedules its provincial nomination draws a year in advance with draws typically occurring once each month. Since July 2021, 1,174 invitations have been issued under the PEI PNP, with 826 of them being issued in 2022.

The Provincial Nominee Program

Canadian provinces and territories (with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs. Although provincial nomination is different from permanent residence, it can significantly increase the chances of obtaining permanent resident status from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

There are over 80 PNP streams in Canada through which potential candidates can gain permanent residence. This can be done by directly applying to the province or through an Express Entry profile.

Further, candidates with Express Entry profiles may receive a provincial nomination and get 600 points added to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This virtually guarantees the candidate will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to IRCC.

PEI PNP Express Entry Category

Candidates who wish to apply for provincial nomination under the PEI Express Entry Category must also be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Candidates with Express Entry profiles must create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with the PEI PNP. An EOI profile informs the provincial government that you wish to be considered for nomination. It also provides candidates with a score based on a provincial points grid. The highest scoring candidates are likely to receive an invitation to apply in the monthly draw.

Labour Impact Category

The Labour Impact category operates as a base stream nomination, independent of Express Entry. The category is split into three streams. Regardless of which of these pathways a candidate applies for, they must have a valid job offer in PEI and support from their employer.

Skilled Worker stream

Candidates in this stream must be either currently working in PEI or have a job offer from a PEI employer. You will need experience in a skilled profession that falls under a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill code 0, A or B and a post-secondary degree or diploma.

Critical Worker stream

This stream is for those those work experience falls under NOC codes C or D. Candidates must have a minimum of two years of work experience.

International Graduate stream

This stream is for recent graduates from recognized accredited Prince Edward Island designated learning institutions (e.g., universities and colleges). Eligible applicants will work in a skilled profession in their field of study.

Business Impact Category

The Business Impact category is for eligible candidates who wish to establish, own, and operate a business in PEI.

To receive an invitation under PEI’s Business Impact Category, you must apply under the Work Permit Stream. For this pathway, candidates are expected to begin working in Canada and to learn about the business while on a work permit. You must be willing to live in PEI and actively manage the business. One the entrepreneur meets PEI’s criteria while on a work permit, they may be eligible to receive a provincial nomination in support of a permanent residence application to IRCC.