Prince Edward Island's Latest PNP Draw: Focus on In-Demand Occupations, 39 Candidates Invited
Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted a new round of targeted invitations through its Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) on July 17, issuing a total of 39 invitations to eligible foreign nationals to apply for a provincial nomination. Candidates invited in this round were selected based on their potential to make a positive impact on the province's economy by working in priority sectors and in-demand occupations.
Eligibility Requirements for This Draw
According to information released by the PEI Office of Immigration, candidates invited in this round were required to meet a series of strict criteria to ensure their seamless integration into the local labour market. The specific requirements are as follows:
- Job Offer: Must hold a permanent, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a PEI employer in a position on the province's designated in-demand occupations list.
- Work Experience: Must have at least one year of full-time work experience that is directly related to the job being offered by the PEI employer.
- Age: Must be between 18 and 59 years of age.
- Education: Must have completed at least a high school education or its equivalent.
- Language Proficiency: Must submit valid language test results from an approved testing organization, taken within the last two years, demonstrating a proficiency equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 4.
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover all immigration-related costs for themselves and any accompanying family members to settle in PEI, including travel expenses.
Notably, candidates currently residing outside of Canada were also eligible for this draw, provided their employer had received prior authorization from the PEI Office of Immigration before issuing the job offer.
PEI's Designated In-Demand Occupations List
To address specific labour shortages, the PEI PNP has identified the following as "in-demand" occupations, presented with their corresponding National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes:
| Job Title | National Occupation Classification (NOC) Code |
|---|---|
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Transport truck drivers | 73300 |
| Construction trades helpers and labourers | 75110 |
| Light duty cleaners | 65310 |
| Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities | 95109 |
| Material handlers | 75101 |
| Process control and machine operators – food and beverage processing | 94140 |
| Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers | 94141 |
Future Trends: A More Selective Immigration Strategy
Provincial immigration in Canada is facing new challenges this year. Due to the federal government's reduction in nomination allocations issued to provincial immigration authorities, provinces are becoming more stringent in their selection of candidates.
As a result, the PEI PNP has been impacted and has officially stated it will narrow the scope of its invitations. According to its website, the PEI Office of Immigration is currently focusing on selecting and prioritizing skilled workers in high-demand sectors, including healthcare, trades, childcare, and other critical industries experiencing labour shortages. The office also advised that individuals employed in non-priority sectors, such as sales and service, may not be invited at this time.
In addition to specific occupations, the provincial government may also consider one or more of the following attributes when assessing a candidate's ability to meet the province's economic and labour market needs:
- Language proficiency: In English or French.
- Education: Including the level, field of study, and where it was completed.
- Occupational skill level and relevant work experience.
- Additional factors related to employment prospects, such as holding a job offer in PEI and/or having prior Canadian work experience.
This series of adjustments indicates that PEI is committed to using its Provincial Nominee Program to precisely attract professionals who can immediately contribute to its key industries, thereby addressing current economic and labour market challenges.
Ontario to Ease Licensing for 16 Additional Healthcare Professions, Boosting National and International Workforce Mobility
The Ontario government has announced plans to expand its “As of Right” labor mobility framework effective January 1, 2026, adding 16 regulated healthcare professions such as dentists, psychologists, dietitians, and midwives. This change will allow certified professionals from other Canadian provinces to obtain Ontario work authorization within as little as 10 days, compared to the current process, which can take up to six months. At the same time, physicians and nurses will be able to receive certification in as few as two business days. The move aims to address Ontario’s ongoing healthcare labor shortages while improving mobility for both Canadian and internationally trained professionals seeking to build long-term careers in the province.
10/22/2025
Northwest Territories Restores 2025 Nominee Quota to 2024 Levels, Allowing Up to 300 Nominations
The Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) has announced that its 2025 Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) allocation has been restored to 2024 levels following federal approval. The total quota will rise to 300, up significantly from 197 earlier this year. Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment Caitlin Cleveland stated that preparations are underway for the next NTNP intake period, which will open additional pathways for skilled workers to obtain provincial nomination. This adjustment makes the NWT the first jurisdiction in 2025 to regain its pre-reduction quota, marking a key milestone in the territory’s ongoing efforts to address critical labor shortages through immigration.
10/21/2025
New Brunswick Holds Three Immigration Draws, Issues Over 500 Invitations to Apply
Between October 6 and 9, 2025, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) held three consecutive draws, issuing invitations to apply to over 500 candidates. The draws were conducted through two main categories: the New Brunswick Express Entry stream for individuals employed in the province, and the Skilled Worker stream for those working in priority occupations. The provincial government also reminded applicants that not all applications submitted in response to these draws will be processed by the end of 2025.
10/20/2025
Ontario Issues 1,680 Invitations Targeting Healthcare, Education, and Regional Development Talent
On October 9, 2025, the Province of Ontario issued a total of 1,680 invitations through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), targeting skilled workers and international graduates. The latest draws spanned multiple Employer Job Offer streams, focusing on candidates in healthcare, early childhood education, and occupations that contribute to small community growth under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative. This series of draws reflects Ontario’s continued effort to strengthen its workforce in essential sectors and attract skilled talent to smaller regional communities across the province.
10/17/2025
IRCC Issues 2,500 Invitations to Healthcare and Social Services Professionals in Latest Express Entry Draw
On October 15, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472 and must have created their Express Entry profile before May 12, 2025, at 11:17 p.m. UTC. This draw marks the fifth healthcare and social services category-based draw of 2025 and is the second-largest of its kind, tying with the August 19 draw and surpassed only by the July 22 draw, which invited 4,000 healthcare professionals.
10/16/2025
Canada Express Entry Latest Draw: 345 Invitations Issued to Provincial Nominee Program Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 345 invitations to apply to Provincial Nominee Program candidates through the Express Entry system on October 14, 2025. This draw required candidates to have a minimum CRS score of 778 points and to have created their Express Entry profile before July 17, 2025. This marks the 19th Provincial Nominee draw conducted by IRCC this year and the third draw in October.
10/15/2025
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Issues 862 Invitations, Focusing on Healthcare and Caregiving Sectors
On October 9, 2025, Manitoba issued invitations to apply for provincial nomination to 862 candidates through the Skilled Worker stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw was conducted through two main pathways: the occupation-specific Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and the employer-driven Skilled Worker Overseas selection. Notably, this draw continued to prioritize candidates under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), with 203 candidates also holding valid federal Express Entry profiles.
10/14/2025
Alberta Conducts Three Provincial Nominee Draws in One Week, Issuing 1,324 Invitations
Between October 1 and October 7, 2025, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held three separate provincial nomination draws, issuing a total of 1,324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Among them, the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) accounted for the majority, with 1,003 invitations, maintaining its lead as the province’s largest channel of nominations. The Accelerated Tech Pathway and Priority Sectors (Construction) streams, both aligned with the federal Express Entry system, targeted applicants in high-demand occupations. In addition, the Government of Alberta received an increase of 1,528 nomination spots in September, raising its total 2025 allocation to 6,403. As of October 10, the province had issued 4,228 nominations, leaving 2,175 available for the remainder of the year.
10/13/2025
Manitoba Successfully Secures Immigration Allocation Increase, Adding Nearly 1,500 Nomination Spots
Manitoba has successfully secured an increase in its 2025 immigration nomination allocation from the federal government, gaining an additional 1,489 nomination spots, bringing the province's total allocation for this year to 6,239. This adjustment will enable Manitoba to nominate more candidates to obtain permanent residence and settle in the province before the end of 2025. This allocation increase represents a partial recovery following the significant reduction in provincial nominee program allocations nationwide at the beginning of 2025.
10/11/2025
British Columbia Receives Additional 1,254 Provincial Nominee Allocations, Will Process Backlogged International Post-Graduate Applications
The Government of British Columbia announced on October 2, 2025, that the province's Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has received an additional 1,254 nomination allocations from the federal government. This brings British Columbia's total allocation for 2025 from 4,000 to 5,254. The provincial government stated that it will prioritize using these additional allocations to process backlogged International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream applications from 2024, while continuing to focus on attracting healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and high economic impact candidates.
10/10/2025
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