Maple News reports that Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted its regularly scheduled Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on August 19, extending invitations to 161 immigration candidates. This marks the eighth draw of the year for the province, bringing the total number of invitations issued in 2021 to 1,194.
Of the 161 invitations, a significant majority—152—were issued to candidates in the Express Entry and Labour Impact streams. These streams target individuals with skills that match labor market needs in the province. The remaining nine invitations were issued under the Business Impact category and required candidates to score at least 72 points in PEI’s immigration selection system.
The Prince Edward Island PNP functions within a framework approved by the federal government, allowing the province to nominate individuals who are most likely to make a positive economic contribution. This includes skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated potential to invest in and establish businesses in the region.
The Express Entry category within the PEI PNP is an enhanced stream linked to Canada’s federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are assessed through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on factors such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. A provincial nomination from PEI adds 600 points to an applicant’s CRS score, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent federal draw.
As PEI continues to align its immigration strategy with regional labor market needs, these regular draws remain a crucial pathway for skilled immigrants and entrepreneurs to build their future in one of Canada’s most welcoming provinces.
The next PEI PNP draw is expected on September 16, 2021, offering another opportunity for eligible candidates to take a significant step toward Canadian permanent residency.