Ontario PNP: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada and includes the main island along with several smaller surrounding islets.
It is often referred to as the “birthplace of Canada” because the Charlottetown Conference was held there in 1864, playing a key role in the country’s formation.
Beyond its historical significance, the province is well known for its fertile farmland, scenic coastline, and growing economy, which is largely supported by agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
Prince Edward Island PNP
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) is the province’s immigration program designed to attract skilled workers and experienced individuals who match local labor market needs.
Through this program, eligible candidates may be nominated by the province for immigration, allowing them to apply for permanent residency in Canada through the federal government after receiving a provincial nomination.
Table of Contents
Overview of the PEI PNP
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) was established in 2001 with the goal of attracting and retaining newcomers who can support the province’s economic growth and help meet local labour market demands.
This program is designed to select immigrants who have the skills, work experience, and education needed to successfully settle in the province and contribute to its economy. Since its introduction, PEI has seen a steady rise in the number of newcomers choosing to make it their home.
Prince Edward Island receives the highest number of immigrants per capita in Canada. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, its immigration rate was approximately 1.6%, compared to the national average of about 0.9%. This makes PEI the province with the largest newcomer intake relative to its population.
Since 2015, PEI has been welcoming more than 2,000 immigrants annually, and this number is expected to continue growing. Before the PNP was introduced, annual immigration to the province was below 200 people.
Immigration growth has also been supported by programs such as the Atlantic Immigration Program, introduced in 2017. This program allows employers in Atlantic Canada—including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI—to recruit foreign workers for jobs that cannot be filled locally.
PEI PNP Categories
The PEI PNP includes one enhanced category and two base categories. The enhanced stream is the PEI PNP Express Entry category, while the base streams are the Labour Impact and Business Impact categories.
Enhanced categories are linked to the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for Canada’s main economic immigration programs. Candidates in the Express Entry pool receive a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the highest-ranking individuals are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws.
When a candidate receives a provincial nomination through an enhanced stream like PEI PNP Express Entry, they are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. This significantly improves their ranking and virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a future draw. The nomination is also directly linked to their Express Entry profile.
Most provincial immigration streams are considered base streams. These are not connected to Express Entry, so successful candidates must submit their permanent residence application directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada after receiving their provincial nomination.
PEI Immigration Categories
Individuals who want to immigrate to Prince Edward Island have three main pathways to choose from:
- PEI PNP Express Entry
- Labour Impact Category
- Business Impact Category
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry stream is designed for candidates who already have an active Express Entry profile, intend to live and work in PEI, and possess skills aligned with the province’s current labour market needs.
The Labour Impact Category targets skilled workers and international graduates who can meet workforce demands in the province. It is divided into three separate streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Critical Worker Stream
- International Graduate Stream
The Business Impact Category is intended for entrepreneurs who want to invest in and operate a business in PEI. Successful applicants are first granted a work permit to manage and understand the business before becoming eligible for provincial nomination.
PEI PNP Express Entry
Job offer required: No
Application fee: CAD $300
Processing time: Approximately 6 months
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have an active Express Entry profile
- Be eligible under one of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holders or spousal open work permit holders:
- PGWP must have at least 4 months validity at the time of submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Must have studied outside PEI (or be a spouse of someone who studied outside PEI)
- Must have at least 9 months of work experience with a PEI employer
How the Process Works
Once eligible, applicants begin by creating a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest system.
During registration, candidates answer several questions and can update their information later if needed. Based on the details provided, the system assigns a score out of 100 points.
During regular selection rounds, the province invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for nomination. Selected applicants receive an invitation via email.
Applicants must then complete and submit their application forms within 60 days. Employers are also required to complete supporting documentation.
If approved, the candidate receives a provincial nomination, which must be accepted through their Express Entry profile. This significantly increases their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the next federal Express Entry draw.
Labour Impact Category
The Labour Impact Category under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program includes three distinct streams designed to address workforce needs in Prince Edward Island:
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Critical Worker Stream
- International Graduate Stream
Skilled Worker Stream
This stream is intended for individuals who have been identified or hired by an employer in PEI. Applicants must either already be working in the province or hold a valid job offer from a PEI employer. Candidates are typically expected to work in a skilled occupation and should have relevant work experience along with at least a post-secondary diploma or degree.
Critical Worker Stream
This stream is aimed at workers who have already been hired by a PEI employer and are being supported for permanent residency by that employer. It is generally open to individuals employed in semi-skilled or unskilled positions, where employers face ongoing labour shortages.
International Graduate Stream
This stream is designed for recent graduates from recognized public post-secondary institutions in PEI. Applicants must have secured employment with a PEI employer and typically work in a skilled position related to their field of study.
Application Details
- Application fee: CAD $300
- Processing time: Up to 6 months or less
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be between 21 and 59 years old
- Have a full-time, permanent job offer or a job offer of at least two years from a PEI employer in an eligible position
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support themselves
- Intend to live and work in PEI
- Meet a minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4
| Category | Is a job offer required? | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Stream | Yes |
|
| Critical Worker Stream | Yes |
|
International Graduate Stream | Yes |
|
How it Works
The first step is to confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for one of the Labour Impact streams under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.
Once you are confident you qualify, you must create and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.
After submitting your EOI, your application is assessed based on the details you provide, and you are assigned a score using the province’s selection points grid.
Prince Edward Island conducts regular draws where it selects the highest-ranking candidates and invites them to apply for provincial nomination. If you receive an invitation, you will typically have up to 60 days to complete and submit your full application along with all required supporting documents.
If your application is approved, you will be issued a provincial nomination certificate. This nomination can then be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Business Impact Category
The Business Impact Category under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program consists of a single pathway known as the Work Permit Stream. It is designed for individuals who want to invest in and actively manage a business in Prince Edward Island.
Work Permit Stream
This stream is intended for entrepreneurs who plan to begin working in Canada and gain hands-on experience in their proposed business while holding a work permit. After operating the business and meeting program conditions, candidates may become eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
Application Details
Application fee: CAD $10,000
Refund: CAD $7,500 if the application is withdrawn before interview or refused
Processing time: Up to 6 months
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
Be between 21 and 59 years old
Have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000
Have at least a secondary school education
Demonstrate transferable management experience or business ownership experience
Meet a minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4
Intend to live and work in PEI
Actively manage the business from within the province
Meet additional business-related eligibility criteria
How It Works
First, applicants must confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements for the Work Permit Stream under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.
Next, they must create a profile in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This profile remains valid for up to six months, and applicants may update their information before receiving an invitation.
If selected, candidates receive an invitation by email with detailed instructions. They must then submit a complete application within 60 days, including all required forms, supporting documents, and the application fee.
Applications can be submitted in person, by courier, or by mail to the Office of Immigration in Charlottetown, PE.
Office of Immigration Address
Office of Immigration
94 Euston Street, 2nd Floor
PO Box 1176
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 7M8
After Submission
If the application is approved, applicants are invited for an in-person interview to discuss their business plan. Following this, they must sign a Performance Agreement. Once completed, they may receive a letter of support to apply for a work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
After obtaining the work permit, the applicant must move to PEI and report to the Office of Immigration within 30 days of arrival. A Settlement Officer is then assigned to assist with business setup and ongoing progress monitoring.
If all conditions of the Performance Agreement are met, the applicant may receive a provincial nomination, which can then be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence through IRCC.
