Prince Edward Island conducts its first PNP draw of 2025

On January 24, 2025, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held its first draw of the year. The draw targeted healthcare professionals, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through two pathways: the Labour Impact Category and the PEI PNP Express Entry stream. In total, 22 ITAs were sent out to qualified candidates.

For candidates in the healthcare sector to have been considered for this draw, they needed to be working in Prince Edward Island (PEI) or have a job offer in PEI’s healthcare industry. However, the PEI PNP did not disclose the cut-off scores or the specific breakdown of invitations by stream.

Details of the PEI PNP Draw

This draw, held on January 24, 2025, included two pathways:

• Labour Impact Category
• PEI PNP Express Entry stream

A total of 22 ITAs were issued to candidates in these categories, although the minimum score required for selection was not made public.

Eligibility for the PEI PNP Express Entry Stream

To be eligible for the PEI PNP Express Entry stream, applicants must first have an active profile on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. They must also meet the eligibility criteria for one of three federal economic immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Additionally, applicants holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) must have at least four months of validity left on their work permit when submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). They must also have at least nine months of work experience with a PEI employer and meet other specific criteria, including having an education credential outside of PEI or being a spouse/common-law partner of a sponsor.

Base vs. Enhanced PNPs

There are two types of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):

1. Base PNPs: Applicants submit their profile directly to a province or territory and, if eligible, can apply for a provincial nomination. These programs are not linked to Express Entry.
2. Enhanced PNPs: Applicants are in the Express Entry pool. If nominated, they receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, improving their chances of receiving an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.

Labour Impact Category Eligibility

The Labour Impact Category under the PEI PNP includes three streams:

1. Skilled Worker Stream
2. Critical Worker Stream
3. International Graduate Stream

To qualify, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 21 to 59 years old
• Have a full-time, permanent job offer (or a two-year offer) from a PEI employer in an eligible position
• Meet the provincial settlement fund requirements
• Plan to reside in PEI
• Meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least 4

Each stream also has additional specific requirements.

Macro Trends and Future Projections

According to the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government has reduced the number of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) admissions for 2025. The total admissions through the PNP will drop from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025. This reduction will affect the number of invitations issued throughout the year, as each PNP will have to share a smaller pool of admissions.