Maple News reports that Prince Edward Island held one of its largest immigration draws of the year on October 21, inviting a total of 204 candidates through the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).
The majority of the invitations—195 in total—were issued to candidates in the Express Entry and Labour Impact categories, both of which aim to address labour shortages in the province. An additional 9 invitations were extended through the Business Impact category to candidates who scored at least 72 points under PEI’s evaluation system.
This marks the tenth draw conducted by the province in 2021, bringing the total number of invitations issued through the PEI PNP this year to 1,541. According to Maple News, this draw was the second-largest of the year, underscoring PEI’s commitment to attracting skilled and entrepreneurial talent to support its economic growth.
The next PEI PNP draw is scheduled for November 18, continuing the province’s regular monthly selection of eligible candidates.
The PEI PNP’s Express Entry category is what’s known as an “enhanced” stream, meaning it is directly aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry system. Candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and meet eligibility criteria for one of the three federal economic-class programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class.
Applicants in the federal Express Entry system are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, work experience, education, and language proficiency. Receiving a provincial nomination from PEI adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score—effectively ensuring they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in a subsequent federal draw.
The PEI PNP also supports labour market needs via the Labour Impact stream, which targets workers with a valid job offer in the province. Meanwhile, the Business Impact stream encourages international entrepreneurs to invest and operate a business within Prince Edward Island.
Maple News highlights that programs like the PEI PNP are essential tools in supporting regional economic development while offering candidates an accelerated pathway to permanent residency in Canada.