Prince Edward Island (PEI) is a province on the eastern coast of North America. It is also considered part of Atlantic Canada, which includes the three Maritime provinces and Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a place for students, professionals, families, and anyone looking for a peaceful and fulfilling life. Being one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada, PEI offers a high quality of life, excellent education, job opportunities, and a safe and welcoming environment.
PEI offers rewarding career opportunities and a business community that supports entrepreneurs. International students go to PEI to experience quality education. The higher education programs meet the demands for a skilled workforce with industry-specific programs and degrees in diverse fields.
PEI’s population is growing. New people are coming to the province, bringing new ideas and possibilities and contributing to our social and economic fabric.
Provincial Nominee Program
The PEI PNP is an immigration program that targets foreign individuals who will contribute positively to the province. The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program has two major categories: Business and Labour Impact. The PEI provincial nominee program has several subcategories, or “streams”. Under Express Entry, the PNP enables successful applicants to become Canadian permanent residents in less than six months.
Top Affordable Universities and Colleges in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island has four public post-secondary institutions:
University of Prince Edward Island
The University of Prince Edward Island is the only university in the province. UPEI has a rich history with roots in two founding institutions: Prince of Wales College (est. 1834) and St. Dunstan University (est. 1855). UPEI honours this proud legacy through a growing reputation for research innovation and academic excellence. UPEI has ten faculties (Arts; Business Administration; Education; Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies; Medicine; Nursing; Science; Sustainable Design Engineering; Graduate Studies; and Veterinary Medicine) and two schools (Mathematical and computational sciences and climate change and adaptation) offer a wide range of programs and degrees to approximately 4,840 for full-time undergraduate and 620 graduate programs. The average tuition fee for undergraduate programs is between $6,000 and $14,000. The average tuition fee is between $7,000 and $20,000 for graduate programs.
Did you know that the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is one of the most affordable schools in the province? Also, UPEI provides several scholarship opportunities to help students finance their education.
Immigration Pathways in PEI
PEI Provincial immigration pathways depend on federal immigration allocations, application volumes, and provincial labour market needs. Immigration in PEI prioritizes skilled workers in high-demand industries such as health care, trade, childcare, and other essential industries. Individuals working in the sales and service sector may not receive an invitation to apply now.
PEI Immigration Office
An Expression of Interest is not an application but an indication of your interest in being considered to apply to the PEI PNP. The Office reserves the right to limit intake or make exclusions from Expressions of Interest draws.
The PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways that target immigrants with business knowledge, skilled workers, and young graduates fresh from post-secondary education, including international students.
Through the PEI PNP, prospective newcomers may receive a provincial nomination through one of its many immigration streams, speeding up their path to permanent residency in Canada. The province operates several immigration streams divided into three categories:
- PEI Express Entry
- PEI Labour Impact
- PEI Business Impact
PEI Express Entry
Applicants in the federal Express Entry pool who wish to live and work in Prince Edward Island may be eligible for PEI Express Entry. Only eligible candidates with skills and experience matching the current labour needs of the province will qualify for Express Entry PNP.
Labour Impact
PEI’s Labour Impact streams offer a faster path to permanent residency for foreign workers and recent graduates hired by a PEI employer. This program targets skilled workers who can contribute to the local economy and fill labour market gaps. Applying through these streams means a streamlined process and potential permanent residency in Canada faster than other immigration programs.
Business Impact
Entrepreneurs interested in establishing or investing in a business in PEI can apply for the Business Impact stream of the PEI PNP. The PNP can lead to permanent residency in Canada. Investing in a PEI business can also provide a faster transition via a work permit.
Becoming a Permanent Resident in Canada through the PEI International Graduate Stream
PEI graduates working in the province can apply for Canadian permanent residency via the PEI PNP International Graduate stream, part of the Labour Impact category.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the PEI International Graduate stream, you must:
- have graduated from a publicly-funded Prince Edward Island institution;
- have a full-time, non-seasonal (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer;
- have a valid post-graduate work permit and legal status in Canada;
- be able to attend an interview with staff from the Office, if required;
- if in a highly skilled occupation defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3, possess sufficient English and French language ability to perform the job by providing a completed PEIW-02: Workforce Job Offer Form, indicating the employer is comfortable with the employee’s proficiency in English or French to perform tasks associated with the job position offered;
- if in an intermediate-skilled position defined by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility classification system as TEER category 4 or 5, to provide a valid language test result from an IRCC-approved testing institution with a minimum of CLB/NCLC 4. Language tests are valid for two years after the date of the test result;
- be between the ages of 18 and 59;
- have sufficient financial resources to pay all immigration costs (including travel expenses) for you and your family to be able to establish in PEI and
- demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.
How to apply
Those who meet the above criteria should first read the Workforce Application Guide and then create an Expression of Interest profile on Prince Edward Island. To create a profile, you will provide a valid email address, identification information, and passport details. Once your account passes the verification stage, you can complete your profile. Applicants can only have one active profile at any one time.
Your profile will remain active for six months. You must ensure that the information provided in your profile is accurate and verifiable. You can update your profile if your situation changes before being invited to apply. If your situation changes after being invited to apply, you must contact the Office with the new information; this may impact the ultimate decision on your file. Find additional information on the EOI points grid in the Workforce Application Guide.
If you receive an invitation to apply, you will receive an email notification that will include your file number and instructions for submission of your file. You must complete the application forms if you receive an invitation to apply. Your employer must also complete the employer forms.
Do I need to pay to apply?
There is no fee to create an Expression of Interest profile. If you are selected to apply for nomination by PEI, there is a non-refundable fee of $300. you can pay with Mastercard, Visa, Mastercard Debit and Visa Debit. Payment is at the time of the Workforce Application Form submission.
Conclusion
Prince Edward Island (PEI) offers a combination of a peaceful lifestyle, quality education, and abundant career opportunities. Whether you’re a skilled worker, an entrepreneur, or an international student looking for immigration opportunities in Canada, PEI has something to offer you.
This article has explored the various immigration pathways available through the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). If you’re looking for a welcoming community with a strong job market and a high quality of life, consider immigrating to Prince Edward Island.
Start your PEI journey today! Explore immigration options or find your perfect program.
