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PEI Immigration Office Publishes Expression of Interest Guidelines (Audio)


Last Updated on February 7, 2020

Article Audio

Jan 31, 2018 – The Prince Edward Island immigration office has published details of how candidates can apply for permanent residence under its new expression of interest system.

The system applies to the PEI Provincial Nomination Program’s Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact categories.

It works in a similar way to the federal Express Entry system, where candidates create an account and submit a profile, before the highest scoring candidates are invited to apply. Successful candidates receive a provincial nomination before applying to the federal government for permanent residence.

PEI Expression of Interest: A 3-Step System

Step 1: Create account and submit profile.

Step 2: Highest-scoring qualified candidates are invited to apply.

Step 3: Successful candidates get provincial nominations to apply to the federal government for permanent residence.

A provincial statement said: “An expression of interest is not an application, but an indication of your interest in being considered to apply to the PEI PNP. The office reserves the right to limit intake or make exclusions from expressions of interest draws.

“Information provided in the expression of interest profile must be valid and verifiable. The Office of Immigration will compare information provided in application with the expression of interest profile, if there is a discrepancy it may affect your ability to apply.  Files that have been determined to contain misrepresentations may be ineligible to apply to the Office of Immigration for 2 years.”

PEI Express Entry Requirements

To be eligible for nomination through PEI Express Entry, you must:

  • Meet the requirements of at least one of the Federal economic immigration programs:
  • Create a Federal Express Entry profile and enter the Express Entry Pool.

Note: Pathways to permanent residence through PEI Express Entry include one for those with a job offer and one for those without. Candidates living and working in PEI get priority.

PEI Labour Impact Category Requirements

1) Skilled Worker Category

This employer-driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

  • A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as skill level “0”, “A” or “B” of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Category

This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:

  • A full time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
    • Truck driver;
    • Customer service representative;
    • Labourer;
    • Food and beverage server;
    • Housekeeping attendant.
  • 6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
  • Current valid Canadian work permit;
  • High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

Business Impact Category Requirements

1) 100% Ownership Program:

  • Complete and submit all required immigration forms
  • Submit all other required documents
  • Possess a minimum personal net worth of $600,000. This net worth must have been acquired legally.
  • Possess at least a high school education
  • Aged between 21 and 59 years of age at the time of application
  • Have previous experience and significant talent in business management
  • Scored a minimum of 4.0 on the IELTS within the last 2 years
  • Provide a detailed business plan. The plan must involve the applicant owning 100% of a PEI business. The business must also be eligible under PEI business immigration program requirements. For a general overview of PEI business immigration, click here.
  • Provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
  • Sign an escrow agreement committing to give a deposit of $200,000 to the PEI government until all program requirements are met. After all requirements are met, the money will be returned to the applicant.
  • Make a total investment in a PEI business of at least $150,000.

2) Partial Ownership Program:

  • Complete and submit all required immigration forms.
  • Submit all other required documents.
  • Possess a minimum personal net worth of $600,000. This net worth must have been acquired legally.
  • Possess at least a high school education.
  • Aged between 21 and 59 years of age at the time of application.
  • Have previous experience and significant talent in business management.
  • Scored a minimum of 4.0 on the IELTS within the last 2 years.
  • Provide a detailed business plan. The plan must involve the applicant owning at least a third of the equity of a PEI business. The applicant will be permitted to own less than a third equity in the business provided s/he makes an equity investment in the business of at least $1 million. The business must also be eligible under PEI program requirements.
  • Provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
  • Sign an escrow agreement committing to make a deposit of $200,000 to the PEI government until all program requirements are met. After all requirements are met, the money will be returned to the applicant.
  • Make a total investment in a PEI business of at least $150,000.

3) Work Permit Program:

  • Complete and submit all required immigration forms
  • Submit all other required documents
  • Apply to the Canadian government for a work permit that would allow the applicant to work for the business in which they will invest into and manage.
  • Possess a minimum personal net worth of $600,000. This net worth must have been acquired legally and legitimately.
  • Possess at least a high school education
  • Have previous experience and significant talent in business management.
  • Score a minimum of 4.0 on the IELTS within the last 2 years
  • Provide a detailed business plan. The business must be eligible under PEI program requirements.
  • Provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
  • Make a total investment in a PEI business of at least $150,000.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

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