PEI PNP Express Entry
Candidates who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool and are interested in living and working in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) may apply to the PEI Express Entry category.
There are two pathways to Canadian permanent residence through the PEI Express Entry Category, depending on whether or not a the foreign national has a job offer in PEI or not.
PEI selects Express Entry candidates with skills matching current identified labour needs for the province. A successful nomination through the Prince Edward Island Nominee Program (PEI PNP) Express Entry category increases the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
PEI’s PNP functions on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This means that a candidate is required to have an active profile in PEI’s EOI system.
This page will provide information on the following:
- Eligibility Requirements
- Selection Factors
- Application Process
- Expression of Interest (EOI) Draw Schedule
- Who is not Eligible to Apply
Eligibility requirements
Candidates for this category must be eligible for one of the following federal economic immigration classes managed through the Express Entry system:
Once a candidate is registered in the federal Express Entry system under one of the classes above, he or she must create a profile in PEI’s EOI system.
A profile is reviewed and assigned points based on six selection factors: age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability up to a maximum of 100 points. The PEI Office of Immigration says that if candidates show evidence of proficiency in both official languages (English and French), an additional 10 bonus points may be awarded under the PEI PNP's EOI system.
Selection Factors
Selection factor | Express Entry (With a Job Offer) | Express Entry (Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|---|
Age | 20 | 20 |
Language | 20 | 20 |
Education | 15 | 15 |
Work Experience | 15 | 20 |
Employment | 15 | 10 |
Adaptability | 15 | 15 |
Maximum Points | 100 | 100 |
Age
Points for age are awarded based on the date of birth provided in the EOI profile. The maximum points for age are 20:
Age | Points (With or Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|
18-24 | 7 |
25-29 | 20 |
30-44 | 15 |
45-49 | 10 |
Over 49 | 0 |
Maximum points | 20 |
Language proficiency
In order to receive language points candidates interested in applying to this category need to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or above.
Points for language are awarded according to the following breakdown:
Language ability | Points (With or Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|
CLB 9 & 10 | 20 |
CLB 8 | 15 |
CLB 7 | 10 |
Below CLB 7 | 0 |
Maximum points | 20 |
Education
Candidates are awarded points for education based on the highest level of education completed.
Education credential | Points (With or Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|
Master’s level or PhD from a graduate school of a college or university, after completion of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree | 15 |
Post-secondary academic degree (Bachelor) from a college or that required at least three years of full-time study | 12 |
Post-secondary diploma in a specific trade that required at least two years of full-time study after secondary school | 10 |
Completion of secondary school | 0 |
Maximum points | 15 |
Work experience
Candidates are awarded points for work experience based on the NOC listed in his or her Express Entry profile.
NOTE: Points in this category are weighted differently depending on whether a candidate has a job offer or not.
Work experience | Points (With a Job Offer) | Points (Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|---|
More than 6 years | 20 | 20 |
4-6 years | 15 | 15 |
2-4 years | 10 | 10 |
1-2 years | 5 | 5 |
Maximum points | 20 | 20 |
NOTE: Points for employment are also weighted differently depending on whether a candidate has a job offer or not.
Employment | Points (With a Job Offer) | Points (Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|---|
Working in PEI on a valid work permit | 5 | n/a |
Job offer in PEI related to educational credentials | 5 | n/a |
Foreign qualification verified with the regulated body in PEI. This is not an ECA. | 5 | 5 |
Minimum 1-year continuous full-time work experience in PEI. | 5 | 5 |
Maximum points | 15 | 10 |
Adaptability
Adaptability factor | Points (With or Without a Job Offer) |
|---|---|
Currently have close family member(s) living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months who are permanent residents or Canadian citizens. | 5 |
Spouse/common-law partner and/or dependent child(ren) have a language ability of CLB/NCLC 6 or higher in English or French | 5 |
Currently, own residential property in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months. | 5 |
Graduated from a recognized PEI post-secondary institution | 5 |
Spouse/common-law partner has at least 3 years of work experience in the last 5 years | 5 |
5 | |
Maximum points | 15 |
PEI PNP Express Entry Application Process
The PEI PNP Express Express Entry category operates through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This means foreign nationals must express their interest to apply and obtain an invitation to be able to submit an application to the PEI PNP.
1. Assess eligibility for Canada's Federal High Skilled economic programs.
To be eligible to apply for the PEI Express Entry Stream, foreign nationals must already be registered in the federal government's Express Entry selection system. To enter the pool of Express Entry candidates, individuals must meet the requirements of at least one of Canada's main economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.
The PEI PNP Express Entry category offers two pathways to permanent residence depending on whether or not a foreign national has a job offer in the province.
2. Create a profile in PEI’s EOI system.
The Government of PEI does not charge a fee to anyone interested in creating an EOI profile. To create an EOI profile, foreign nationals will be asked to provide a valid email address and identification information (including passport details). Once verified by the province, an EOI profile will remain active for six months. Candidates must ensure the information provided in their profile is accurate and verifiable. It is important to note that an EOI profile submission is not an application, but an indication of interest in being considered to apply to the program.
3. Receive an invitation to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination to the Government of PEI.
During periodic draws, the PEI PNP issues invitations to apply for a provincial nomination to eligible highest-scoring candidates.
4. Prepare and submit an application for a provincial nomination with all the necessary original documents within 60 days.
Candidates invited to apply must complete all the required forms, gather the necessary supporting documentation and ensure that a complete application package is submitted to the PEI Office of Immigration, along with the application fee, within 60 days of receiving an invitation.
5. Accept the PEI nomination through their MyCIC account (if an applicant receives a nomination from the Government of PEI)
Nominees must receive a federal Invitation To Apply (ITA) before they can submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to the Government of Canada.
7. Submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (if a federal ITA is issued).
If the application for Canadian permanent residence is approved, the foreign national must report landing to the Government of Prince Edward Island within 30 days of arriving in the country.
Who is not Eligible to Apply for the PEI PNP Express Entry Category
Individuals currently working in PEI on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are not considered eligible, unless they meet the following conditions prior to applying:
- Have at least six (6) months of full-time experience working for the PEI employer, and
- Have at least four (4) months remaining before the expiration of their work permit at the time of submitting an application to the PEI Office of Immigration.
If currently in Canada, individuals must demonstrate that they have legal status. This means that if an individual is in Canada on a study permit, but is not studying, he or she is not eligible to apply.
Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool
