Move to Prince Edward Island under the Provincial Nominee Program

Skilled workers wanting to settle in Prince Edward Island can see their permanent residency visa approved faster by applying through the Prince Edward Island Nominee Program (PEINP).

You will need to submit your application to the province first and then apply for a permanent resident visa through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as a Provincial Nominee, once Prince Edward Island approves your application.

The PEINP is divided in four different categories:

  • Immigrant Entrepreneur
  • Immigrant Connections
  • Skilled Worker
  • Immigrant Partner (currently suspended)

Immigrant Entrepreneur

Prince Edward Island is looking for entrepreneurs with the skills and drive to be successful in the province. To be eligible to apply under this category, applicants must meet a number of criteria:

  • A minimum net worth of CA$400,000
  • Willingness to invest a minimum of CA$200,000 to establish a new enterprise (or to purchase no less than 33% of an existing business)
  • A business plan document to demonstrate the capacity to successfully establish a business in the Prince Edward Island business environment
  • Payment of a CA$100,000 business investment deposit, which is held in escrow and returned to the applicant after one year’s residency and the establishment of the business
  • Place CA$25,000 in escrow with the Government of Prince Edward Island as a good faith deposit (also to be returned after one year residing in the province)
  • A combination of age, education, language skills and transferable management skills. The ideal candidate is/has:
    • Less than 55 years of age
    • A minimum of 14 years of education, including one or more post-secondary certificates or degrees
    • Capable of being interviewed in English or French
    • Several years of management (or, preferably, business ownership) experience in a sector with relevance to the province’s economy
Applicants are also required to pay a $2500 fee that should be included in the application, along with the following forms:

Immigrant Connections

Immigrants who have established themselves in Prince Edward Island can recommend their “connections” and tell the Government of Prince Edward Island who they would like to see nominated by the province for permanent residency.

There is qualifying criteria, both for people making the recommendation and for the applicant. This is an honour-based program. Applicants are not required to sign a formal agreement or provide a financial guarantee. They must simply commit to make the arrangement work to the best of their ability.

The eligible family connections are as follows:

  • Daughter or son
  • Brother or sister
  • Niece or nephew
  • Aunt or uncle
  • Grandchild
  • First cousin
  • Step relative or in-law of the same level
To qualify to nominate a connection, Prince Edward Island requires that the resident is a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident who has lived in Prince Edward Island for more than two years, and that the resident has a regular source of income sufficient for their needs and their dependents. Additionally, he/she must have a clean personal record. Testimonials from other residents in the province or evidence of volunteer work or community service are beneficial but not essential.

Connections nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Prove they are among the eligible family members and can prove the relationship with the resident nominating them
  • Have an offer of employment or, in the view of the province, have a clearly identified capacity to work in Prince Edward Island
  • Have the intent to live in the province
  • Be in good health
  • Not have a criminal record
There is also an application fee of CA$250, made payable to Island Investment Development Inc. in the form of a certified cheque, money order or bank draft. This fee must be submitted with your application, along with the following documents:

The resident making the nomination needs to fill in the Immigrant Connections Champion Application Form (PEI-PNP-13).

Skilled Worker

This category was created to help solve the province’s labour shortages and allow applicants to settle with their families in Prince Edward Island.

There are currently openings for workers in aerospace, IT and bioscience, among others. For specific job listings, check the Skilled Labour Shortages list.

If you are a professional or a skilled worker who wants to move to Prince Edward Island, you must find employment by yourself. After receiving an offer of employment, you can start the process of applying for the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A score of about 50 on your self-assessment form
  • Education and training consistent with the position offered
  • A bona fide offer of employment from a local employer
  • A moderate command of English and/or French language
  • The intention to settle in Prince Edward Island
You will be asked to pay an application fee of CA$250 that must be submitted along with the following documents:

Immigrant Partner

The Immigrant Partner category is currently suspended. Prince Edward Island is not accepting applications in this category, nor is the province accepting Prince Edward Island Business applications for Investment by Immigrant Partner applicants.