Prince Edward Island Kicks Off First Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw of 2025
PEI PNP’s First Draw of 2025 Successfully Held
On January 24, 2025, Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) successfully held its first draw of the year, focusing primarily on healthcare sector candidates. The draw issued a total of 22 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through two immigration pathways: the Labour Impact Category and the PEI PNP Express Entry stream.
To be considered for this draw, candidates must have already been working in the healthcare sector in Prince Edward Island or hold a job offer in the province’s healthcare industry. The cutoff score for the draw was not made public, and the breakdown of invitations by specific streams within the Labour Impact Category was not disclosed.
PEI PNP Draw Results Overview:
| Draw Date | Draw Category | Number of Invitations Issued | Minimum Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2025 | Labour Impact/Express Entry | 22 | Not disclosed |
Eligibility Requirements for PEI PNP Express Entry
To qualify for the PEI PNP Express Entry stream, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have an Express Entry profile in the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) system;
- Be eligible for at least one of the following federal economic immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); or
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP);
- Candidates with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) must meet additional conditions:
- Have at least four months of validity remaining on their work permit at the time of submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI);
- Hold an education credential from outside of Prince Edward Island, or be the spouse or common-law partner of a sponsor;
- Have at least nine months of work experience with a PEI employer.
Eligibility Requirements for the Labour Impact Category
The Labour Impact Category is an economic immigration category under PEI PNP, which includes three streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Critical Worker Stream
- International Graduate Stream
To be eligible for the Labour Impact Category, candidates must:
- Meet the requirements for one of the three streams;
- Be between the ages of 21 and 59;
- Have a full-time, permanent job offer or at least a two-year job offer from a PEI employer for an eligible position;
- Meet the provincial settlement fund requirements;
- Have the intention to reside in Prince Edward Island;
- Meet at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 for language requirements.
Macro Trends: Changes in Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program
According to the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) admissions allocations will be significantly reduced in 2025. The target for permanent resident admissions through PNP in 2025 is set at 55,000, down from the 110,000 target in 2024. This reduction will affect the number of invitations that PNPs can issue throughout the year.
The federal government has determined the total number of permanent residency admissions for 2025, which will be distributed among the respective PNPs across provinces and territories. This means that Prince Edward Island and other provinces may face more intense competition and pressure regarding resource allocation.
Conclusion
With the changing immigration policies in Canada for 2025, Prince Edward Island’s focus on supporting the healthcare sector provides new opportunities for relevant candidates. However, due to broader policy adjustments, future immigration opportunities will be influenced by multiple factors. For those interested in applying for PEI PNP, staying updated on the latest policy changes and ensuring they meet the eligibility criteria will be crucial for successfully receiving an immigration invitation.
Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program Set to Open for Invitations
Canada's federal government has announced that the highly anticipated Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will launch a new round of invitations on July 28, 2025. Over a two-week period, the immigration department will send 17,860 invitations to candidates who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, with the goal of accepting 10,000 complete permanent residence applications. For sponsors who do not receive an invitation this round, or for families who were unable to enter the pool in recent years, the Super Visa remains an important pathway for parents and grandparents to reunite with family in Canada for long-term stays.
07/18/2025
Manitoba Announces One-Month Pause on Applications for Key Employer Services Immigration Stream
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has announced a temporary policy update, suspending the intake of new applications for its key Employer Services stream, effective July 4, 2025. This pause is scheduled to last until August 5, 2025. This proactive measure is aimed at planning and preparing for future process enhancements. For prospective applicants, this means an adjustment to their timelines, while applications already submitted will continue to be processed.
07/17/2025
Policy Reversal: Canada Postpones Tightening of PGWP Rules, More International Students to Benefit
In a surprise announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed it will postpone the implementation of a highly-watched measure to tighten eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Certain study programs slated for removal from PGWP eligibility on June 25, 2025, will now remain eligible until early 2026. This adjustment not only safeguards students who applied for study permits during the policy transition period but has also temporarily increased the total number of PGWP-eligible programs, marking a significant boon for students in non-degree college programs, who are the primary group affected.
07/16/2025
Shift in Immigration Policy Triggers Ripple Effect: As Temporary Residents Decline, Rents in Major Canadian Cities See First Drop
Recent measures by the Canadian federal government to tighten policies concerning temporary residents are having a noticeable impact on the local housing market. The latest data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) indicates that a decline in international students and foreign workers has led to reduced rental demand. Consequently, major cities including Toronto and Vancouver experienced their first year-over-year drop in asking rents in recent memory during Q1 2025. Despite this softening, high rent-to-income ratios suggest that housing affordability remains a major challenge for new immigrants and local residents alike.
07/15/2025
Provincial Immigration Updates: Newfoundland Boosts Quota, BC Focuses on Entrepreneurs, and Manitoba Prioritizes Graduates
In its June 24 draw, Newfoundland and Labrador issued 320 invitations and successfully negotiated a 1,000-spot increase to its 2025 PNP allocation, signaling a strong commitment to attracting new immigrants. British Columbia’s July 8 draw once again targeted entrepreneurs, issuing no more than 17 invitations and underscoring its high priority for business and investment-class immigrants. Meanwhile, Manitoba extended 67 invitations on July 10, prioritizing international students who graduated from its institutions and skilled workers identified through "Strategic Recruitment Initiatives." These moves clearly reflect the unique immigration strategies each province is deploying based on its economic and labor market needs.
07/14/2025
Quebec Halts New Spousal Sponsorship Applications After Reaching Quota, Moratorium in Place Until 2026
Quebec's immigration ministry announced on July 9 that it has paused the intake of new applications for spousal, partner, and adult dependent sponsorship after reaching its predetermined cap. The measure is part of Quebec's immigration quota management and will remain in effect until June 25, 2026. During this period, the application stream for sponsoring minor children, parents, and grandparents will remain open.
07/13/2025
Canada Tightens Temporary Foreign Worker Policy: 26 Major Cities Halt Processing of Low-Wage LMIA Applications
On July 11, the Canadian government updated its list of restricted regions for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). According to the latest directive, 26 Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) across the country will suspend the processing of "low-wage stream" Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications due to unemployment rates at or exceeding the 6% threshold. This measure is a continuation of a policy announced by the federal government in early 2024, aimed at protecting job opportunities for local residents in areas with high unemployment. The expansion of this list, which includes major immigration destinations like Toronto and Vancouver, undoubtedly has profound implications for many foreign nationals and their employers seeking to obtain or extend work permits for low-wage positions.
07/12/2025
Canada to Bolster Support for Francophone Immigrants with Launch of Revamped "Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative"
The Government of Canada has announced the official launch of an enhanced Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFCs) initiative, set to be operationalized between 2025 and 2026. The program will designate 24 communities across Canada (outside of Quebec) to provide bolstered community support and settlement services, facilitating the successful integration of French-speaking newcomers. This initiative represents a key component of Canada's broader strategy to increase Francophone immigration and ensure the vitality of French-speaking minority communities.
07/10/2025
Canada's Latest Express Entry Draw: CEC-Specific Round Issues 3,000 Invitations with Lowest Score Since September 2024
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on July 8th, exclusively targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). A total of 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued. Notably, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 518, the lowest cutoff since September 2024. To date, the Express Entry system has issued a total of 45,201 invitations in 2025.
07/09/2025
Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw of July, Targeting PNP Candidates with a High CRS Score of 750
Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of July, exclusively targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 356 candidates received invitations, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 750. Data indicates a clear pattern in 2025 draws, with alternating PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) invitations becoming a recent norm. This strategy has directly resulted in the first decline in the number of high-scoring candidates in the Express Entry pool in at least six months.
07/08/2025
# Can spouse of international students work in Canada?# How is the CRS Score Calculated?# What is Express Entry?# How to become a licensed immigration consultant in Canada?# Why Need a Professional, Licensed Immigration Consultant for Immigrating to Canada?# How to verify if my immigration consultant is licensed?# Difference between licensed and unlicensed immigration consultants?# Is it mandatory to be licensed to practice immigration consulting in Canada?