Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Labour Impact Category provides foreign nationals with a valid job offer and support from a PEI employer with a pathway to Canadian permanent residence. 

This Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) immigration category is composed of three pathways, each with their own set of eligibility requirements: the Skilled Worker Stream, Critical Worker Stream and the International Graduate Stream.

Foreign nationals with an interest in settling in PEI are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements for the PEI Labour Impact Category before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for a provincial nomination.

With an EOI, the foreign national is not applying to the program, but merely expressing interest in becoming a permanent resident and residing in PEI.

This page will provide the following details on the PEI PNP Labour Impact Category:

• Skilled Worker Stream Eligibility Requirements
• Critical Worker Stream Eligibility Requirements
• International Graduate Stream Eligibility Requirements
• PEI Employer Requirements
• Application Process
• Expression of Interest (EOI) Points Grid

Skilled Worker Stream

PEI employers that have identified or hired a skilled foreign worker may, through this stream, support the employee in an application for Canadian permanent residence. The requirements for applying under the Skilled Worker Stream differ depending on whether or not candidates are residing inside or outside the province. 

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible under the Skilled Worker Stream of the Labour Impact Category, foreign workers in PEI must:

• Be between 21 and 59
• Have a full-time, long-term (permanent or at minimum two-year) job offer from a PEI employer in a skilled position (NOC 0, A or B level);
• Hold a valid work permit;
• Have legal status in country of residence;
• Attend an interview with staff from PEI's Office of Immigration, if required;
• Have at least a two-year post secondary degree or diploma;
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years;
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to settle in PEI;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to become established in PEI; and
• Possess sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the duties of the job offered in PEI. Language proficiency can be verified by one of the following conditions:
  • A language test from an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)-approved testing agency within the past two years with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4; or
  • An employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration; or 
  • Documents from an internationally-recognized institution indicating that the main language of study was English or French.

In order to be eligible under the Skilled Worker Stream of the Labour Impact Category, foreign nationals residing outside PEI must:

• Be between 21 and 59
• Have a full-time, long-term (permanent or at minimum two-year) job offer from a PEI employer in a skilled position (NOC 0, A or B level); (It is important that an employer must first contact PEI's Office of Immigration to get the job offer approved prior to an applicant's submission of an Expression of Interest)
• Have legal status in country of residence;
• Attend an interview with staff from PEI's Office of Immigration, if required;
• Have at least a two-year post secondary degree or diploma;
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years;
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to settle in PEI;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to become established in PEI; and
• Possess sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the duties of the job offered in PEI. Language proficiency can be verified by one of the following conditions:
  • A language test from an IRCC-approved testing agency within the past two years with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4; or
  • An employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration; or 
  • Documents from an internationally-recognized institution indicating that the main language of study was English or French.

Critical Worker Stream

The Critical Worker Stream is an employer-driven stream that enables PEI employers to hire foreign workers to fill vacancies in positions classified under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill level C or D. Through the Critical Worker stream, PEI employers can support the foreign worker in an application for Canadian permanent residence.

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible under the Critical Worker Stream, foreign workers must:

• Be between 21 and 59 years of age;
• Have a full-time, long-term (permanent or at minimum two-year) job offer from a PEI employer in one of the following semi-skilled or unskilled positions (NOC levels C and D):
  • Truck driver;
  • Customer service representative;
  • Labourer;
  • Food and beverage server; or
  • Housekeeping attendant;
• Have worked at least six months full-time for the PEI employer;
• Hold a valid work permit and have legal status in Canada;
• Have at least a high school education, or equivalent;
• Attend an interview in PEI, if required;
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years;
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover all immigration costs (including travel expenses) for oneself and family members to be able to establish and settle in PEI;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to become established in PEI; and
• Provide a language test results from an IRCC-approved testing agency demonstrating a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 across all four categories (listening, reading, writing, speaking), obtained in the last two years;

International Graduate Stream

This is an employer-driven stream that allows PEI employers to hire recent graduates from recognized accredited PEI universities and colleges.

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

In order to be eligible under the International Graduate Stream, international graduates must:

• Be between 21 and 59 years of age;
• Have a full-time, permanent (or at minimum two-year) job offer from a PEI employer in a skilled position (NOC 0, A or B level);
• Have worked for at least six months for the PEI employer in a position that is directly related to post-secondary education received in PEI;
• Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit and legal status in Canada;
• Attend an interview in PEI, if required;
• Have successfully completed a post-secondary degree or diploma (minimum two-year program) from a publicly-funded PEI post-secondary institution;
• Possess sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered by the PEI employer;
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to settle successfully in PEI; and
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to become established in PEI.

Minimum Requirements for PEI Employers

The PEI employer is responsible for ensuring the following elements:

• The employment offer is full-time (training, internship or apprenticeship positions that terminate on a specific date are not considered) and permanent (or a minimum length of two years);
• The employment is consistent with the applicant’s ability to perform the job based on education, training and/or experience;
• The terms and conditions of employment meet federal and provincial standards and industry wage rate;
• The employment does not contravene existing bargaining agreements or employment disputes;
• The employment is to be located in PEI;
• The foreign worker’s licensing or accreditation to perform the job is verified, if applicable;
• An employment contract is provided, which includes the terms and conditions of the full-time job offer, signatures of the authorized signing officer of the company, and the employee (applicant)accepting the offer and conditions of employment;
• Settlement support is provided to the applicant and their family;
• A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is provided, if applicable;
• Attendance at an immigration interview may be required; and
• Documentation is provided to demonstrate effort to recruit for the intended profession has been unsuccessful within Canada and the position is critical to the operation of the employer's business.

PEI Labour Impact Category Application Process

Step 1: Determine eligibility for one of the PEI PNP Labour Impact streams.

Foreign nationals interested in applying for the PEI PNP Labour Impact Category are encouraged to first review their eligibility for one of the three pathways: The Skilled Worker Stream, Critical Worker Stream, and International Graduate Stream before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile to the program.

Step 2: Create and submit an EOI profile.

If an individual meets the eligibility requirements of the Labour Impact Category pathways, they may create a profile and provide a valid email address and verifiable identification information. An EOI profile remains active for six (6) months. 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. Submitted profiles obtain a score based on the PEI PNP's selection system points grid.

Step 3: Prepare a complete an application for a provincial nomination and provide the relevant supporting documents (if invited to apply).

During periodic draws, the PEI PNP issues invitations to apply for a provincial nomination to eligible high-scoring candidates. Invited candidates have up to 60 days from the date of invitation receipt to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination to the PEI PNP.

Step 4: Prepare and submit a complete application for a provincial nomination to the PEI PNP.

If invited to apply for the PEI PNP Labour Impact Category, foreign nationals must provide all the required supporting documents with the complete application for a provincial nomination to the PEI PNP.

Step 5: Apply for Canadian permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Successfully nominated foreign nationals must submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence to the federal government. If a permanent residence application is approved, the foreign national must report landing to the Office of Immigration within 30 days of arriving to the province.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Selection System Points Grid

PEI's EOI system awards candidates a score out of 100 or 110 (if bonus language points are applicable) based on the following criteria: age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Age

Language

Points for language are awarded based on the language test results provided. When applying through the Skilled Worker Stream, candidates may submit the L-6 Employer Language Declaration instead of a test. If a candidate proves proficiency in both official languages, an additional 10 bonus points may be awarded for this selection factor. International Graduate Stream candidates do not need to provide proof of language proficiency, and as such are not awarded additional points for this selection factor.

Education

Candidates are awarded points for education depending on the highest level of education completed.

Work experience

Points for work experience will be awarded to candidates based on full-time work. A minimum number of two years are considered for the work experience selection factor. International Graduate Stream candidates do not receive any points for this selection factor.

Candidates may be awarded points for employment depending on work experience and job offer.

Adaptability

Candidates are awarded points for the different streams in the Labour Impact Category based on the following factors: