Prince Edward Island Immigration Programs

Canada’s smallest province in both size and population, Prince Edward Island is home to just over 156,000 people. Its capital and largest city is Charlottetown, with over 36,000 residents. Prince Edward Island prides itself on its cozy and neighbourly atmosphere and a lively cultural landscape. If you are interested in immigrating to Prince Edward Island, you must learn about the province’s immigration system, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP). If you have the right skills, education, and experience to contribute to Prince Edward Island’s economy, you can apply to the PEIPNP for a nomination to become a permanent resident. Individuals from both within and outside of Canada are eligible to apply for PEIPNP. To qualify, an individual must:

• Have a job offer for a full-time, permanent (for at least two years) job from an eligible Prince Edward Island employer
• Meet the criteria specified in one of PEIPNP’s immigration streams

The immigrations streams are as follows:

• Critical Worker stream: For individuals who have a job offer for a full-time, permanent (for at least two years) job from an eligible Prince Edward Island employer in Skill Level C or D under the National Occupation Classification (NOC). To qualify, an individual must:
  • Have worked full-time for at least six months with the employer in PEI.
  • Be 18 to 59 years of age.
  • Have at least a high school education and must possess any required training, skills, and/or accreditation for the position.
  • Have at least two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years.
• PEI Express Entry: For individuals who have an up-to-date profile in the federal Express Entry system and meet all the criteria of one of Canada’s Federal Economic Immigration programs.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIP) is a partnership between the Canadian federal government and the four Atlantic provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The program allows employers in Atlantic Canada to hire qualified candidates for positions they are unable to staff locally. Individuals from both within and outside of Canada can be considered for the AIP. To apply for the AIP, an individual must:

• Have a job offer from a designated employer,
• Have graduated from a publicly funded institution in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, OR
• Be a skilled worker who meets the program’s requirements.

There are three programs within the AIP, with the following criteria: Atlantic International Graduate Program: For individuals who have a degree, diploma, or other appropriate credentials from a publicly funded institution in an Atlantic province. To qualify, an individual must have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the two years before obtaining the degree, diploma, or other credentials. Atlantic High-Skilled Program: For individuals who have worked in a management, professional, or technical/skilled job for at least one year. In terms of education, the individual must have at minimum a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program: For individuals who have worked in a job that required high school or on-the-job training for at least one year. In terms of education, the individual must have at minimum a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent. For all programs, an individual must pass an appropriate language test, and demonstrate financial stability so they can support themselves and any family upon arrival in Canada. If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, you must then read the Workforce Application Guide on the provincial government’s website and create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest (EOI) system.