Located just off New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Canada’s Atlantic coast, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest province in Canada. With a growing population and a diverse economy ranging from agriculture and fishing to aerospace and bioscience, it is an attractive option for skilled workers and entrepreneurs looking to get permanent residence in Canada.
Skilled workers and entrepreneurs may be able to immigrate to Prince Edward Island (PEI) via the Prince Edward Island Nominee Program, which includes several distinct streams.
1. PEI Critical Worker Stream
This stream is targeted at critical workers who already have a full-time job in PEI, and is designed to help local employers fill positions which they cannot staff via the island’s existing labour market.
In order to be eligible to apply for the Critical Worker Stream, you should:
- have at least a two-year full-time job offer from an employer in PEI
- this role must be in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 job i.e. one not requiring formal education beyond a high school diploma or limited on-the-job training
- have already worked for your employer in PEI for at least six months full-time
- hold an existing and valid Canadian work permit
- have at least a Canadian high school diploma or recognised international equivalent
- be aged 18 to 59
- have at least two years’ relevant work experience within the last five years
- have taken an English or French language test within the last two years and scored at least CLB/NCLC Level 4
- have sufficient finances for you and your family (if applicable) to settle in PEI
2. PEI International Graduate Stream
The PEI International Graduate stream is intended for individuals who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in PEI and who wish to settle in the province.
To apply for the International Graduate Stream, you should:
- have graduated from a publicly-funded educational institution in Prince Edward Island
- have at least a two-year full-time job offer from an employer in PEI
- hold an existing and valid Post-Graduation Work Permit
- be prepared to demonstrate your English or French language skills
- if your job offer is in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 (a management or degree/diploma/apprenticeship-requiring role), you can do this by filling a PEIW-02 Workforce Job Offer form
- if your job offer is in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 role (typically only requiring a high school diploma or limited on-the-job training), you will need to have taken a language test within the last two years and scored at least CLB/NCLC Level 4
- be aged 18 to 59
- have sufficient finances for you and your family (if applicable) to settle in PEI
3. PEI Express Entry Stream
Individuals who have created an Express Entry profile and who want to seek a nomination from Prince Edward Island under the Provincial Nominee Program may benefit from this stream.
In order to be eligible to apply for the PEI Express Entry stream, you should:
- meet the eligibility requirements of one of the following federal immigration programs:
- have an Express Entry profile
- be prepared to demonstrate that you have at least nine months’ continuous work experience with your sponsoring employer and have at least four months left on your work permit if:
- you have a Post-Graduation Work Permit and graduated outside PEI; or
- you have a spousal open work permit and your spouse studied outside PEI
4. Skilled Workers in PEI Stream
This stream is for higher-skilled workers who already have a job and an ongoing job offer in Prince Edward Island.
To qualify for the Skilled Workers in PEI stream, you should:
- have a minimum two-year full-time job offer from an employer in PEI
- the role you have been offered should be in NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 (typically a management or degree/diploma/certificate/apprenticeship-requiring role)
- have at least two years’ full-time work experience within the last five years
- currently hold a valid Canadian work permit
- hold a post-secondary degree or diploma from a course lasting at least two years
- be aged 18 to 59
- be able to demonstrate your English or French language skills with either of the following:
- a language test from the past two years in which you scored at least CLB/NCLC Level 4
- a PEIW-02 Workforce Job Offer Form signifying that your employer feels you have the language skills required to do your job
- have the financial means for you and your family (if applicable) to settle in PEI
5. PEI Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream
Employers in Prince Edward Island with specific permission from the PEI Office of Immigration can use this stream to recruit skilled talent who do not currently live in Canada.
To qualify for this stream, you should:
- have been offered at least a two-year full-time job with an employer in PEI
- the role you have been offered should be in NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 4 (typically a management or degree/diploma/certificate/apprenticeship-requiring role)
- have at least two years’ full time work experience within the last five years
- hold a post-secondary degree or diploma from a course lasting at least two years
- be aged 18 to 59
- be able to demonstrate your English or French language skills with either of the following:
- a language test from the past two years in which you scored at least CLB/NCLC Level 4
- a PEIW-02 Workforce Job Offer Form signifying that your employer feels you have the language skills required to do your job
- have the financial means for you and your family (if applicable) to settle in PEI
6. PEI Occupations In Demand Stream
Individuals with specific in-demand skills and experience may be able to be recruited directly from outside Canada if they have a job offer from an employer in PEI.
To qualify for this stream, you should:
- have been offered a full-time, non-seasonal job with an employer in PEI in one of the following occupations:
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC: 33102)
- Transport truck drivers (NOC: 73300)
- Construction trades helpers and labourers (NOC: 75110)
- Light duty cleaners (NOC: 65310)
- Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities (NOC: 95109)
- Material handlers (NOC 75101)
- Process control and machine operators – food and beverage processing (NOC: 94140)
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC: 94141)
- have at least one year’s full-time work experience related to the job you have been offered
- be aged 18 to 59
- have at least a Canadian high school diploma or recognised international equivalent
- have taken an English or French language test within the last two years and scored at least CLB/NCLC Level 4
- have the financial means for you and your family (if applicable) to settle in PEI
NB: Eligible occupations for the PEI Occupations In Demand stream are subject to change. All information correct at the time of writing.
7. PEI Entrepreneur Work Permit Stream
The Work Permit stream is specifically aimed at entrepreneurs who want to start or purchase and then run a business in PEI, and who are ultimately seeking permanent residence in Canada.
To be eligible to apply for this stream, you should:
- intend to start or buy a company based in PEI
- have a personal net worth of at least CAD $600,000
- have experience of owning and/or managing a business
- have at least a Canadian high school diploma or recognised international equivalent
- be prepared to demonstrate English or French language skills to at least CLB/NCLC Level 4
- be aged 21 to 59