The province of Prince Edward Island announced the results of its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draw on June 19, 2025. In the sixth draw of the year, a total of 52 immigration candidates were invited to take a crucial step towards Canadian permanent residence.
According to official data, the invitations were distributed as follows:
| Draw Category | Number of Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Labour Impact/Express Entry | 51 |
| Work Permit Entrepreneur | 1 |
Notably, the invitation issued to an entrepreneur marks the first time in 2025 that PEI has targeted business immigration candidates. This signals that alongside skilled workers, the province is renewing its welcome to business investors.
Strategic Focus on High-Demand Sectors
The PEI Office of Immigration has stated that due to reduced federal nomination allocations, a high volume of applications, and the province's specific labour market needs, its current selection strategy has become more targeted. The government will prioritize candidates who can fill local labour market gaps and possess specific skills.
The sectors currently identified as high-demand (priority) industries include:
- Healthcare
- Trades
- Manufacturing
The 51 candidates who received invitations under the labour categories in this draw were from these key sectors. Year-to-date, PEI has issued a total of 621 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through its provincial program in 2025.
How to Be Considered for a PEI Nomination
Prospective immigrants interested in the PEI PNP must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the provincial government. An EOI is not a formal application but a profile created to express interest and showcase qualifications.
After submitting an EOI, candidates enter a pool and are assessed and ranked by the provincial immigration office based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Language Proficiency: English or French skills.
- Educational Background: Including level of education, field of study, and where it was completed.
- Skills and Work Experience: Professional skills and work history relevant to their occupation.
- Strategic Priorities: Alignment with PEI's most immediate labour market needs.
- Other Employment Factors: Such as holding a job offer from a PEI employer or having prior Canadian work experience.
The system awards points based on these factors, and top-ranking candidates are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in subsequent draws.
A Closer Look at the Entrepreneur Category: Work Permit Stream
The single entrepreneur invitation in this draw went to a candidate in the Work Permit Stream of the Business Impact Category. This stream is designed for foreign nationals who wish to invest in and operate a business in PEI.
The core model requires applicants to first obtain a work permit, move to PEI, and operate their business for at least one year before they become eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
To be eligible for a nomination under this stream, applicants must meet a series of strict criteria, including:
- Net Worth: Have a minimum personal net worth of $600,000 CAD.
- Language Proficiency: Achieve at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4.
- Business Experience: Possess experience as a successful business owner or extensive senior management experience.
- Education: Hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Age: Be between 21 and 59 years of age at the time of application.
- Residency Intent: Intend to reside in PEI while actively managing their PEI-based business.
This category operates on a points grid with a maximum score of 210, and the immigration office selects candidates based on their scores.
For more detailed information, prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the official Business Impact Category Application Guide on the PEI government website.
