Prospective immigrants are particularly drawn to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, also known as PEI. Despite being the smallest province in terms of
Prospective immigrants are particularly drawn to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, also known as PEI.
Despite being the smallest province in terms of population, it is one of the largest in terms of natural beauty, history, and Canadian culture.
Prince Edward Island has excellent schools, almost no pollution or traffic, and was the site of the famous Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which resulted in the formation of the nation.
Aside from being the birthplace of the confederation, the province has an exceptionally high quality of life and is popular with tourists due to its fantastic beaches, top-rated golf courses, and numerous cultural attractions.
When you combine that with some of the safest and most closely-knit communities in Canada, it’s easy to see why people from all over the world want to live here.
Prince Edward Island Express Entry
The PEI PNP is an immigration program that seeks foreign nationals who will positively contribute to the province.
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program is split into two categories: business impact and labor impact.
Each of these PEI provincial nominee program categories is then subdivided into various subcategories, which are referred to as “streams.”
The Prince Edward Island PNP, through Express Entry, allows successful applicants to become permanent residents of Canada in as little as six months.
A prospective immigrant can obtain a nomination certification from the Provincial Nominee Program on Prince Edward Island in two ways.
He or she can apply to the program directly through the PEI Office of Immigration if they do not qualify for Express Entry.
If the individual is accepted by the Prince Edward Island PNP, they can then apply for Express Entry and include their provincial nomination in their profile.
An individual can also obtain a PNP PEI nomination by creating an Express Entry profile and formally indicating an interest in immigrating to PEI within the system.
Using Express Entry, the Prince Edward Island PNP can then directly contact the prospective immigrant and invite them to apply for the PNP.
This method is generally recommended because it allows you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the program while also including your Express Entry Profile ID.
With an Express Entry profile already in place, successful candidates can be instantly credited for their provincial nomination by the PEI PNP, increasing their Express Entry score by 600 points and almost ensuring them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Read also:
Our experienced Canada immigration professional can optimize your Express Entry profile for PEI immigration to help you maximize your chances of being selected by the Prince Edward Island PNP.
Our team can also assist you in applying directly to the PEI PNP and, if successful, preparing and submitting a Canada permanent resident application.
2018 Provincial Nominee Program in Prince Edward Island
Individuals and families interested in immigrating to Prince Edward Island can apply through several different streams in the PEI immigration PNP.
The PNP operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which means that prospective immigrants must first connect with the nominee program before applying formally.
PEI Provincial Nominee Program Categories
- Impact on Business
- Labor impact
- Express Entry
Category of Labor Impact
Individuals who want to work and live in Prince Edward Island but do not own a business are eligible for the PNP PEI labor impact category.
Individuals must have certain skills, education, and experience that are required in the local labor market. This category of immigration is divided into two streams:
1. Stream of Skilled Workers
This Prince Edward Island immigration route is for people who have been or will be hired by a PEI employer.
Candidates must have knowledge and experience in a skilled profession, including post-secondary education, to be considered.
2. Critical Worker Flow
This Prince Edward Island PNP stream is intended for workers in semi-skilled or unskilled occupations.
The individual must be employed by a PEI company or have a PEI employer who will sponsor them for permanent residency. General labor, housekeeping, truck driving, and food service are some occupations that fall into this category.
Business Impact Category
Individuals who intend to invest in and actively manage a business in Prince Edward Island are eligible for the PNP PEI business impact category. This category includes three PEI immigration streams:
1. Stream with 100 percent ownership
This immigration Prince Edward Island stream, as the name suggests, is for foreign nationals who will take full ownership of a local business.
This can be either a new business that the individual will start or an existing PEI business that the individual will purchase in its entirety.
2. Stream of Partial Ownership
This immigration PEI stream is for foreign nationals who will purchase a portion of a local business rather than owning the entire business.
The individual must either buy at least one-third of the company or make a CAD $1,000,000 minimum equity investment in the company.
3. Stream of Work Permits
This Prince Edward Island immigration stream grants the foreign national a work permit, allowing him or her to relocate to PEI and work in the business in which they intend to invest.
This is ideal if the individual wishes to gain firsthand experience with the day-to-day operations of the business before investing money.
Otherwise, the requirements for the work permit stream are the same as those for the partial ownership stream.
Read also:
Express Entry to Prince Edward Island
The Canada Express Entry system enables Prince Edward Island to attract potential immigrants for its provincial nominee program.
The province can send a “notification of interest” to people whose Express Entry profiles match the criteria it is looking for, or potential immigrants can apply directly to the program under the Business Impact or Labour Impact categories.
Individuals nominated for Canadian immigration through the PEI PNP will earn enough points through the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking Calculator to almost certainly be invited during the next draw.
It does not take long to be accepted for PEI immigration after receiving an invitation to apply to be a Canada Permanent Resident, as Express Entry processes applications in six months or less.
Through the Express Entry System, not every applicant will be accepted into the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.
Candidates must have skills that are in demand in the province of Prince Edward Island.
These requirements change over time as the province’s labor needs change. Before applying for the Express Entry System, candidates are encouraged to research the current needs of PEI.
Potential immigrants who are nominated through a PEI Express Entry stream can apply for residency through the CIC online system, which is much faster.
Eligibility Requirements in Detail
The specific requirements for each possible PEI PNP stream can be lengthy and complicated. The requirements for each category with the provincial nominee program are detailed below.
Business Requirements for the 100 percent Ownership Stream
A foreign national may start or buy a full-service business in Prince Edward Island under the 100 percent Ownership Stream. To be eligible for the PEI PNP 2018, the business must meet several criteria.
The company must:
- maintain corporate headquarters and a “permanent establishment” in PEI as a for-profit corporation in good standing on all debts and obligations
- pay all income tax on taxable income
- have assets with a minimum book value of $150,000
- have the potential to provide a “significant economic benefit” to PEI
Priority is given to certain types of businesses.
The following businesses are not eligible:
- Hobby farms and bed and breakfasts are examples of home-based businesses.
- Services such as check cashing, money exchange, and payday loans are available.
- Pawn Shops and other second-hand sales
- Brokerage services include real estate, insurance, and business brokerage.
- Professional services, financial services, and consulting
- Any business that could bring the government and province of PEI “disrepute” Any business created solely to gain access to the PEI PNP program
There are also specific requirements for the business owner under this PEI nominee program category, as the owner is just as important as the business itself.
Individuals interested in applying to the Prince Edward Island PNP must meet several criteria.
The requirements differ depending on the type of stream, but many of them apply to all applicants.
Participants in the PEI Immigration PNP must;
- provide a comprehensive business plan for a portion of the company’s ownership
- provide active, ongoing management from within Prince Edward Island
- provide a signed escrow agreement with stipulations on a $200,000 deposit
- invest a minimum of $150,000 for partial ownership of at least 33.3 percent of voting shares, or invest a minimum of $1 million in the company start-ups are ineligible for this stream, but newly incorporated companies may be allowed
In addition to meeting the general requirements, applicants to the Provincial Nominee Program PEI Work Permit Stream must meet several additional requirements.
Skilled Worker Stream Requirements:
- ages 21 to 59
- A full-time, long-term job offer from a PEI employer for an N0C 0, A, or B level skilled position is required. In this case, “long term” is defined as at least two years.
- If you are currently employed in Prince Edward Island, you must have a valid work permit.
- Legal status in the current country of residence is needed.
- A two-year post-secondary degree is needed.
- Must have at least two years of full-time work experience or relevant schooling within the last two years.
- To settle in PEI, you must have “sufficient funds.”
- Must be fluent in English or French. An IELTS test with a minimum score of 4.0, as well as a declaration of language ability from the
Conclusion
Prince Edward Island is a wonderful place to live and work, with a thriving community of people from all over the world.
Because there aren’t many cities on the island, most potential PNP applicants are interested in Charlottetown immigration, though Summerside is also popular.
There are numerous Prince Edward Island immigration paths available if you intend to own a business or simply work for one.
The PEI nominee program is especially appealing to recent University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) graduates who want to stay in the province.
PEI has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world. Historically, immigrants have had a significant and positive impact on PEI business, arts, and culture.