PEI PNP - Skilled Workers in PEI

Last updated: January 25, 2024

You can apply for a Permanent Residency Nomination through the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) Skilled Worker Stream if you are currently employed by an employer on the island. The Skilled Worker Stream is employer-run, allowing island employers to fill high-skilled positions they cannot fill through the local job market.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible to apply for the PEI Skilled Worker Stream, you must:

• Having a full-time, non-seasonal job (long-term or at least two years) from a PEI employer in a highly skilled occupation as defined by the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility classification system as TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 ;
• Have at least two years of full-time work experience within the past five years;
• have a valid work permit to work in Canada;
• Having legal status in the country of residence;
• Successfully completed a post-secondary degree or certificate (program of at least two years);
• between the ages of 18 and 59;
• Possess sufficient English and/or French language skills to perform the proposed work. Language proficiency may be verified in one of the following ways:
  • a language test from an IRCC-approved testing institute within the last two years with a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 4; or
  • PEIW-02: A job offer form for a workforce stating that the employer is comfortable with the employee's English and/or French language proficiency to perform the tasks related to the position being offered.
• Applicants must have sufficient financial resources for themselves and their families to cover all immigration costs (including travel expenses) to settle in PEI; and
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

How do I apply?

If you meet the eligibility criteria listed above, you must first read the Workforce Application Guide, then you or your representative must create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest System . To create a profile, you will be asked to provide a valid email address and identification information including your passport details. Once your account has been verified, you will be able to proceed with completing your profile. Applicants can only have one active profile at a time.

Your profile will remain active for a period of six months. You must ensure that the information provided in your profile is accurate and verifiable. If your situation changes before you are invited to apply, you may update your profile. If your situation changes after you are invited to apply, you must contact the Office with the updated information; this may affect the final decision on your profile. You can find more information about the EOI points grid in the Workforce Application Guide.

If you are invited to apply, you will receive an email notification including your application number and instructions to submit your application. If you are invited to apply, you must complete the application forms. Your employer must also complete the employer forms.

An Expression of Interest is not an application, but rather a sign of your interest in being considered for an application to the PEI Workforce Category. The Office reserves the right to limit the number of entries or exclude from Expression of Interest draws.

Do I have to pay a fee?

There is no fee to create a Interest Expression profile. If you are selected to apply for nomination by PEI, there will be a non-refundable fee of CAD 300. Mastercard, Visa, Mastercard Debit, and Visa Debit are accepted. Payment will be required at the time of submitting the Workforce Application Form. Applications are only accepted with an approved transaction.

What forms do I need to complete?

Your employer must complete the following form:

• PEIW-02: PEI Workforce Job Offer Form

Additionally, you must complete any of the following relevant provincial forms:

• PEIW-03: PEI Workforce Use of Representative Form (if applicable)

Do I need to hire an immigration consultant or a lawyer?

No, you are not required to hire an immigration consultant for any immigration program to Canada.

If you choose to use an immigration consultant or a lawyer, they must be registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants , or be a lawyer who is doing well with a provincial law society . The representative must be registered with the Immigration Office before submitting the application through this channel.

My work permit is about to expire. What can I do?

You are responsible for ensuring you maintain your legal status in Canada. You should not rely on the PEI Office to help you renew your work permit.

If you meet the requirements of one of the Workforce streams, you may apply for a PEI Expression of Interest and, if invited, apply for a Nomination to the PEI Immigration Office. Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive a Work Permit Support Letter along with your Nomination. Be sure to submit your Expression of Interest and Application early enough to allow this process to be completed. The Work Permit Support Letter cannot be issued before a complete application has been processed and approved.

A Letter of Support for a Work Permit allows you to apply for a work permit from the Federal Government without an LMIA. The Letter of Support is issued at the discretion of the PEI Immigration Office and is limited to the employer who supported your nomination. Please note that IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are responsible for issuing work permits.

What will happen after I get nominated?

After you receive your nomination, you are responsible for submitting your Permanent Residency application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) along with your nomination certificate. IRCC will then evaluate your application based on factors determining your immigration eligibility. You can check IRCC's processing times on their website .

If there are any changes to your situation, such as family status, employment, contact information, etc., you must immediately notify the Immigration Office. You are required to work with an employer until you receive Permanent Resident status. If any changes occur after nomination, you must immediately notify the Immigration Office and IRCC.