Maple News reports that Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted its scheduled Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on November 18, extending invitations to 188 immigration candidates seeking provincial nomination.
According to details from the latest draw, the majority of invitations—172—were issued under the Express Entry and Labour Impact categories. Meanwhile, 16 invitations were extended to Business Impact candidates who achieved a minimum score of 67 in PEI’s internal evaluation system.
This latest draw brings the total number of invitations PEI has issued in 2021 to 1,729. The province typically holds one draw per month, targeting skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other candidates aligned with its labour market demands. The next PEI PNP draw is expected to take place on December 16, 2021.
PEI operates its PNP within the framework set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), leveraging its autonomy to attract newcomers who can contribute to the province’s economy and community development. These draws are strategically used to meet pressing local workforce needs through a system that balances immigration with economic priorities.
The Express Entry category under the PEI PNP is considered an ‘enhanced’ stream, as it aligns with Canada’s federal Express Entry system. Candidates must first have an active profile in the federal pool to be considered. Express Entry manages applications for three prominent economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Applicants in the Express Entry system are assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns scores based on factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. A provincial nomination from PEI gives candidates an additional 600 CRS points, essentially guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in a federal draw.
By focusing on in-demand sectors and skilled trades, PEI continues to use the PNP as a mechanism to address regional labor gaps while supporting Canada’s broader immigration objectives.
Maple News will continue to follow PNP developments across the provinces and provide timely updates for prospective immigrants and stakeholders.