Maple News reports that Prince Edward Island (PEI) has concluded its final scheduled Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of 2023, issuing 195 invitations to eligible immigration candidates on December 17.
Of the total invitations, 174 were extended to candidates under the Express Entry and Labour Impact categories, while 21 were issued through the Business Impact stream. Notably, Business Impact applicants were required to meet a minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 85 to be considered.
The PEI PNP is designed to help the province meet its specific economic and workforce needs by selecting individuals who demonstrate the potential to settle and contribute to the local economy. The program works in conjunction with the federal Express Entry system, aligning many of its streams to streamline permanent residency.
Candidates applying through the Express Entry-aligned stream are evaluated based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points for factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. A provincial nomination from PEI grants an applicant an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent federal draw.
To be considered for a nomination from PEI, Express Entry candidates must submit an EOI profile to the province. PEI then ranks these profiles using its own unique points system and extends invitations through monthly draws to those with the highest scores.
While the province did not disclose the exact breakdown between Express Entry and Labour Impact categories, nor the minimum EOI score for each, it has maintained its consistent commitment throughout 2023 to addressing sector-specific labor shortages through strategic immigration draws.
PEI has been a proactive participant in Canada’s broader immigration framework, leveraging its PNP to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs aligned with the island’s economic development strategy.
As Canada’s Atlantic provinces continue to grow in popularity among newcomers, PEI remains a top choice for candidates seeking a gateway to Canadian permanent residency through tailored provincial pathways.