Overview
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) nominates people for permanent residence. After nomination, the candidate applies to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the final decision. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a separate federal program and is not covered here.
Seven worker pathways
Critical Workers, Intermediate Experience, International Graduates, Occupations in Demand, PEI Express Entry, Skilled Workers in PEI and Skilled Workers Outside Canada.
One business pathway
The Work Permit Stream: entrepreneurs come on a work permit, run a PEI business under a Performance Agreement, and are nominated only after meeting its terms.
Six-month EOI
A worker or Express Entry expression of interest (EOI) is free, stays active for six months, and is not an application. Only one active profile is allowed.
Employer at the centre
Most worker pathways need a PEI employer, either a current one or one authorized by the Office of Immigration to recruit from outside Canada.
Worker pathways and published requirements
Unless stated otherwise, every worker pathway also requires sufficient funds for all immigration and travel costs for the family, and a genuine intention to settle in PEI. Language test results must come from an IRCC-approved test and are valid for two years.
| Pathway | Who it fits | Key published requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Workers in PEI | Skilled workers already employed by a PEI employer | Age 18–59; TEER 0–3 offer that is full-time, non-seasonal and permanent or at least two years; post-secondary degree or diploma from a program of at least two years; two years of full-time experience in the past five; language enough to do the job (CLB/NCLC 4 test, or employer confirmation on form PEIW-02); valid work permit. |
| Skilled Workers Outside Canada | Skilled workers abroad recruited by a PEI employer | Same as above, except the employer must obtain Office of Immigration authorization before the EOI is submitted; legal status in the country of residence. |
| Critical Workers | Workers in TEER 4 or 5 jobs already working in PEI | Age 18–59; at least six months of continuous full-time work with the current PEI employer; full-time offer that is permanent or at least two years; TEER 4 or 5; CLB/NCLC 4; secondary school diploma plus two years of full-time experience or relevant education in the past five; valid work permit. Long-haul truck drivers (NOC 73300) need 12 months of long-haul experience and an offer from an eligible PEI employer. |
| Intermediate Experience | TEER 4 workers with Canadian experience on an LMIA-based work permit, recruited by a PEI employer | Age 18–59; employer authorization before the job offer, limited to defined priority employment sectors; two years of full-time experience or relevant education in the past five; at least six months of full-time Canadian experience on an LMIA-based work permit, relevant to the PEI job; TEER 4 offer, full-time and non-seasonal, permanent or at least two years; CLB/NCLC 4; secondary school diploma. |
| International Graduates | Graduates of a publicly funded PEI institution | Age 18–59; valid post-graduation work permit (PGWP); full-time, non-seasonal PEI offer, permanent or at least two years. TEER 0–3: employer confirms language on form PEIW-02. TEER 4–5: CLB/NCLC 4 test. Interview if required. |
| Occupations in Demand | Workers in eight listed occupations | Age 18–59; full-time, non-seasonal permanent offer in NOC 33102, 73300, 75110, 65310, 95109, 75101, 94140 or 94141; one year of full-time experience directly related to the job; secondary school diploma; CLB/NCLC 4; employer authorization (and a work permit support letter) when recruiting from outside Canada. |
| PEI Express Entry | Express Entry candidates working for a PEI employer | Eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program or Canadian Experience Class, with a profile in the pool; nine months of continuous full-time work with the supporting PEI employer, which completes form PEIW-02; legal status in Canada (a study permit holder who is not studying is not eligible). Holders of a PGWP from a non-PEI institution, or a spousal open work permit linked to a non-PEI study permit, need at least four months left on the permit when submitting the EOI. |
Each worker pathway charges a non-refundable fee of $300 when a selected candidate applies for nomination. Creating an EOI is free.
Work Permit Stream for entrepreneurs
Personal requirements
Age 21–59 at application; verifiable personal net worth of at least $600,000, legally accumulated and verified by a Designated Net Worth Verifier (required since August 18, 2022); secondary school education; CLB/NCLC 4; transferable management skills and business ownership or management experience.
Business commitment
Day-to-day, active and ongoing management of the PEI company; intention to live and work in PEI; an interview with the Office of Immigration; meeting the terms of the Performance Agreement signed with the Office before nomination.
Fee
No fee for the EOI. If selected, the application fee is $10,000: refunded in full if the file is not accepted, $7,500 refunded if declined or withdrawn before the interview, and non-refundable after the interview.
2026 activity
PEI issued no business invitations in any 2026 draw through October 16. The Office can limit intake or exclude profiles from draws.
The EOI points grid for business candidates is in the official Business Application Guide; the Work Permit Stream page does not state a minimum score.
Selection and 2026 draws
Selection looks at language, education, skills and work experience, strategic priorities, and factors such as a PEI job offer or previous Canadian work experience. The Office of Immigration may limit intake or exclude people from draws. Invited candidates have 30 days to complete the application, according to the workforce guide.
| Draw date (2026) | Labour and Express Entry invitations | Business invitations |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 | 26 | 0 |
| February 19 | 109 | 0 |
| March 20 | 101 | 0 |
| April 16 | 127 | 0 |
| May 21 | 113 | 0 |
| June 18 | 182 | 0 |
| July 16 | 195 | 0 |
| August 20 | 181 | 0 |
| September 17 | 195 | 0 |
| October 7 | 90 | 0 |
| October 16 | 163 | 0 |
| Total | 1,482 | 0 |
PEI does not publish a minimum score for labour and Express Entry invitations. In January, invitations went to people working in priority sectors, and graduates of UPEI, Holland College and Collège de l'Île were prioritized.
NOC and TEER: which pathway accepts the offer
Select the five-digit NOC code from the duties, then use the TEER category to sort the pathway: TEER 0–3 for the Skilled Worker pathways and PEI Express Entry, TEER 4–5 for Critical Workers, TEER 4 only for Intermediate Experience, and the exact listed codes for Occupations in Demand.
TEER 4 is not one route
A TEER 4 offer can fit Critical Workers (already working six months for the PEI employer), Intermediate Experience (six months on an LMIA-based permit, employer authorization) or Occupations in Demand (listed code only). Check which conditions you actually meet.
Listed codes are exact
Occupations in Demand accepts only the eight published NOC codes; a general labour-shortage claim is not enough.
Express Entry consistency
The primary occupation and experience in the federal profile must support the federal program as well as PEI's employer and work requirements.
Licensing is separate
PEI certification or professional registration is required independently of the immigration pathway.
Find your NOC code and TEER category
About a PEI points calculator
The PEI Workforce Application Guide (January 2026) contains 100-point EOI grids. The workforce grid scores age, language, education, work experience, employment and adaptability, with different weights for international graduates; a separate 100-point grid applies to Express Entry. However, PEI does not publish minimum scores for labour or Express Entry draws and selects by sector priority, so a score alone cannot show whether a profile is likely to be invited. We have not built a calculator for this grid; use the official guide.
From EOI to permanent residence
- Identify the pathwayStart from where you work, your TEER, your education, your status and whether your employer needs authorization to recruit you.
- Match the NOC and the offerCheck duties, offer length (permanent or at least two years), language, experience and licensing.
- Create the EOIEnter only facts you can prove. The profile is active for six months; update it before an invitation, or contact the Office after one.
- Follow the monthly drawsPriority sectors and allocation decide who is invited.
- Apply after invitationWorkers have up to 30 days from the invitation to complete the online application (per the Workforce Application Guide); business candidates follow the deadline in their invitation email. Pay the $300 fee (workers) or $10,000 fee (business) and document every factor.
- Continue to IRCCFor PEI Express Entry, accept the nomination in your IRCC account and wait for a federal invitation to apply. Other nominees use the non-Express Entry route. Maintain your intention to live in PEI.
Documents, deadlines and duties
- Missing the invitation window: if the 30 days pass, the invitation expires and a new profile is needed.
- Supporting documents: after you pay the fee, you receive a secure upload link within five business days. Combine documents into one PDF (50 MB or less, file name of 50 characters or fewer), scan at 300 dpi or higher, and provide a certified translation with the original for documents not in English or French. Typical records are identity and status documents, language results, education credentials, employment records including the signed PEI employment contract, and six months of bank statements.
- Forms: the employer completes the job offer form PEIW-02; a representative requires PEIW-03. Representatives must be registered with the Office of Immigration and be a licensed immigration consultant (registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) or a lawyer in good standing. For the Work Permit Stream the provincial forms are B-3, B-5 and B-6, and the $10,000 fee is paid by bank draft, certified cheque or money order payable to Island Investment Development, Inc.
- Employer compliance fee: $230, paid by the employer when a work permit is needed or the current one expires before permanent residence.
- After nomination: submit the PR application to IRCC within six months of receiving the nomination certificate, stay with the nominating employer until you become a permanent resident, and report changes in family status, employment or contact details to the Office (and to IRCC after nomination). A work permit support letter may be issued at the Office's discretion after an approved nomination and is restricted to the supporting employer; the Office does not extend work permits.
- Refusals and misrepresentation: there is no appeal process, fees are not refunded, and misrepresentation leads to refusal and a two-year ban from applying to the Office. Processing times are not guaranteed.
- Contact: immigratepei@gov.pe.ca or 902-620-3628.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a PEI job for PEI Express Entry?
Yes, under the current page. It requires nine months of continuous full-time work with the PEI employer supporting your application, and that employer completes form PEIW-02.
I work in retail sales. Can I apply?
You can create an EOI if you meet a pathway's rules, but PEI says candidates in sales and service may not be invited at this time.
Can I have a worker EOI and a business EOI at the same time?
PEI allows only one active profile at a time.
Official sources
- Government of PEI: Immigrate to PEI as a worker
- Government of PEI: Skilled Workers in PEI
- Government of PEI: Skilled Workers Outside Canada
- Government of PEI: Critical Workers
- Government of PEI: Intermediate Experience Stream
- Government of PEI: International Graduates
- Government of PEI: Occupations in Demand
- Government of PEI: PEI Express Entry
- Government of PEI: Work Permit Stream
- Government of PEI: Expression of Interest draws
- Government of PEI: Workforce Application Guide (January 2026)
- IRCC: Fee list
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.