PEI invites 150 immigration candidates to apply in new draw

Prince Edward Island issued new invitations to immigration candidates in a draw held March 21.

Prince Edward Island, or PEI, holds monthly draws for immigration candidates who have submitted an Expression of Interest to its immigrant nominee program, the PEI PNP.

PEI is one of 11 Canadian provinces and territories that take part in Canada's Provincial Nominee Program, which lets them nominate a set number of immigration candidates for Canadian permanent residence each year.

A total of 150 invitations were issued to candidates in PEI's Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact immigration categories in the March 21 draw, raising the total number of invitations issued this year through the PEI PNP to 440.

The 131 Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates who received an invitation in today's draw can now apply to PEI's provincial nominee program, the PEI PNP, for a nomination for Canadian permanent residence. The province did not provide a breakdown of these invitations.

The 19 entrepreneur candidates invited through the Business Impact: Work Permit Stream category can now apply to the PEI PNP for a letter of support for a temporary work permit.

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Express Entry, Labour Impact invitations

PEI's Express Entry category is linked to the federal Express Entry system, which manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada's main economic immigration categories — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates who would like to be considered for a provincial nomination from PEI must first complete a separate Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with the PEI PNP.

These profiles are given an EOI score out of 100 based on factors such as education, work experience and proficiency in English or French. The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for a provincial nomination through monthly draws.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry ranking score.

PEI's Labour Impact Category is not aligned with the Express Entry system and is divided into three EOI-based streams — Skilled Workers (in PEI and outside Canada), International Graduates and Critical Workers.

Candidates for these streams must be working in PEI or have an eligible full-time, long-term job offer from an employer in the province, among other criteria.

Entrepreneur invitations

PEI’s Business Impact: Work Permit Stream is for eligible foreign entrepreneurs with business ownership or eligible management experience who would like to invest in and run a business in PEI.

The Work Permit stream also operates on an EOI basis and the lowest-ranked candidate in the March 21 draw had a score of 110.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration