Draw Details
On October 27, 2025, the Government of Prince Edward Island held a Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draw under the Labour and Express Entry streams, issuing 159 invitations to qualified candidates.
This round primarily invited international graduates who studied at local post-secondary institutions and are now employed within the province—individuals with strong ties to PEI’s labor market through both study and work experience.
To date, a total of 1,240 invitations have been issued under the PEI PNP in 2025.
Key Feature: A Departure from the Scheduled ITA Plan
Prince Edward Island is one of the few Canadian provinces that publishes a transparent schedule for its PNP draws. Normally, this schedule allows candidates in the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool to anticipate invitation timelines with relative certainty.
However, the October 27 draw was not part of the announced schedule—marking the first time this year that PEI has conducted two draws in a single month.
According to the PEI Office of Immigration, the published schedule is intended for informational purposes only and does not guarantee timing or selection. The unexpected draw suggests that the province may be expediting its nomination process to address current labor market shortages and meet its permanent resident targets more efficiently.
Application Process under the PEI PNP
Like other Provincial Nominee Programs, the PEI PNP operates through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system that allows eligible candidates to express their intent to immigrate. The general process includes:
- Submitting an EOI profile: Candidates provide details about their education, work experience, and language ability.
- Receiving an invitation: Candidates selected from the EOI pool are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination.
- Applying for PR: Once nominated, candidates submit their application for permanent residence (PR) to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This process can take more than a year, depending on provincial and federal processing times. Candidates nominated through PEI’s Express Entry-aligned streams may benefit from faster PR application processing.
EOI Selection Criteria
PEI’s EOI system evaluates and ranks candidates based on multiple factors that determine their potential to contribute to the province’s economy and workforce. Key assessment criteria include:
- Language ability: Proficiency in English or French;
- Education: Level, field, and location of studies;
- Work experience: Relevance to in-demand occupations;
- Strategic priorities: Alignment with PEI’s current economic and labor needs;
- Employment prospects: A valid job offer in PEI and/or previous Canadian work experience.
Candidates who score higher and demonstrate strong settlement potential—particularly those who studied and work in PEI—are more likely to receive invitations.
Conclusion
Through this surprise draw, Prince Edward Island demonstrates its agility in attracting locally trained international talent. As the province continues to face labor shortages amid economic expansion, such targeted and flexible draws are expected to become an increasingly common feature of its immigration strategy.
