PEI Provincial Nominee Program
Through the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), prospective immigrants who meet the requirements and are approved by the PEI government may receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate. The PEI PNP is administered by the Office of Immigration. The PEI PNP is a Federal-Provincial partnership between the Province of Prince Edward Island and CIC. Upon receipt of a Provincial Nomination Certificate, applicants can apply to CIC for Permanent Residency to Canada.
The PEI PNP accepts applications under two major immigration categories; the Business Impact Category and the Labour Impact Category.
This program is for applicants who invest in and actively manage a PEI business. Applicants may qualify for one of three sub-categories:
Applicant will take on full ownership of a new or purchased PEI business.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a minimum verifiable personal net worth of $600,000 which has been accumulated through legal and legitimate sources.
- Possess a minimum education of high-school equivalent.
- Be within 21-59 years of age at the time of application.
- Have transferable management skills and past employment.
- Have scored a minimum band score of 4.0 on the IELTS within the last 2 years.
- Provide a detailed business plan for 100% business ownership that falls within an eligible sector and meets all program criteria in place at the time of application.
- Provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
- Sign an escrow agreement and provide a deposit of $200,000 to be held by the Province until terms of the agreement have been met. The deposit may be returned without interest in stages; $25,000 is eligible for refund after 6 months of residency on PEI; an additional $25,000 is eligible for refund after 1 year of residency on PEI; and the remaining $150,000 available for release when all of the requirements of escrow agreement are met.
- Make a minimum of $150,000 investment into a new or existing Prince Edward Island owned and operated business.
Priority may be given to applicants planning to be involved in businesses that:
- Are export-oriented
- Involve agriculture, fishery and forestry
- Help economically diversify rural communities in Prince Edward Island.
- Are active in innovative sectors: bioscience, information technology, aerospace and renewable energy.
For more information about Eligible Businesses, please visit *
Applicant will own at least 33.3% of a PEI business, or invest $1,000,000 in the equity of a PEI business.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a minimum verifiable personal net worth of $600,000 which has been accumulated through legal and legitimate sources.
- Possess a minimum education of high-school equivalent.
- Be within 21-59 years of age at the time of application.
- Have transferable management skills and past employment.
- Have scored a minimum band score of 4.0 on the IELTS within the last 2 years.
- Provide a detailed business plan for partial business ownership that falls within an eligible sector and meets all program criteria in place at the time of application.
- Provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
- Sign an escrow agreement and provide a deposit of $200,000 to be held by the Province until terms of the agreement have been met. The deposit may be returned without interest in stages; $25,000 is eligible for refund after 6 months of residency on PEI; an additional $25,000 is eligible for refund after 1 year of residency on PEI; and the remaining $150,000 available for release when all of the requirements of escrow agreement are met.
- Make a minimum of $150,000 investment into an existing Prince Edward Island owned and operated business for a partial ownership interest of a minimum of 33.3% of voting shares; or make a minimum $1 million investment.
If the applicant purchases at least 33.3% of the equity of an eligible local business, the applicant must submit an investment agreement to the PEI Office of Immigration. The investment agreement between the applicant and the Prince Edward Island business must include:
- Confirmation that the business is not operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income such as interest, dividends and/or capital gains;
- Confirmation that the investment does not include a redemption option;
- Confirmation that the Investment is not less than 33.3% of the equity in a Prince Edward Island business or make an equity investment in the business of at least $1,000,000;
- The proposed amount of the investment in the business;
- The number, class and conditions of the shares being purchased (if applicable);
- Confirmation that the Applicant provides or will provide active and ongoing management of the business from within Prince Edward Island; and
- Time frames for the Investment.
Priority may be given to applicants planning to be involved in businesses that:
- Are export-oriented
- Involve agriculture, fishery and forestry
- Help economically diversify rural communities in Prince Edward Island.
- Are active in innovative sectors: bioscience, information technology, aerospace and renewable energy.
For more information about Eligible Businesses, click here or visit the PEI Office of Immigration at http://www.gov.pe.ca/immigration/index.php3?number=1037589&lang=E
Prior to taking on ownership of a business, the Applicant receives a work permit to begin working in Canada to learn about the business in which they intend to invest.
The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Apply to CIC for approval of a work permit for the Prince Edward Island business that the applicant intends to invest in and manage.
- Possess a minimum verifiable personal net worth of $600,000 which has been accumulated through legal and legitimate sources.
- Possess a minimum education of high-school equivalent.
- Have transferable management skills and past employment.
- Have scored a minimum band score of 4.0 on the IELTS within the last 2 years.
- Provide a detailed business plan that falls within an eligible sector and meets all program criteria in place at the time of application.
- Provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
- Sign a Performance Agreement which includes timelines for the investment, amount of investment, reporting and monitoring guidelines, as well as pre & post nomination requirements.
- Make a minimum of $150,000 investment into a new or existing Prince Edward Island owned and operated business.
If an applicant meets all program criteria in place at application time and is approved, a letter of support for a Work Permit will be issued. When the Performance Agreement is satisfied a nomination certificate will be issued.
Applicants who are purchasing only an interest in an existing PEI business must also file an investment agreement as outlined under the Partial Ownership Stream.
In order to be eligible for application through the Business Impact Category, any business being started or purchased must generate revenue by selling goods and/or services at arm’s length to third parties.
The Office of Immigration will consider applications under the Business Impact Category that meet, or will meet, the following business eligibility criteria:
- The business must be a for-profit corporation and operated for the primary purpose of earning profits from active income through the provision of products/services.
- The business must be in good standing with the Province on all debts and obligations.
- The business’ corporate headquarters are located in Prince Edward Island.
- The business maintains a “permanent establishment” in Prince Edward Island as defined under the Income Tax Act by regulation 400 (2).
- The business is liable to pay income tax on taxable income earned as a result of a “permanent establishment” in Prince Edward Island, irrespective of income or other taxes which may also be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activity.
- The business must have good potential for sustained commercial viability.
- The business must have assets with a book value of at least $150,000 CAD which are actively used for the business. Businesses will also be considered if they have assets with a fair market value of $150,000 CAD as valued by a certified appraiser or have received a valuation for their business from a professional accountant stating a value greater than $ 150,000 CAD.
- Any business selling a portion of equity to an applicant (i.e., interested in the Partial Ownership Stream) must have also incurred a total of $ 60,000 CAD in wages and/or net income and demonstrate the ability to sustain an applicant’s salary.
- The business must have the potential to create significant economic benefits to Prince Edward Island by contributing to one or more of the following:
- Increasing value-added manufacturing, processing or primary resource activity
- Increasing exports of goods or services
- Increasing destination tourism, tourism attractions, tourism fixed roof accommodations
- Increasing research and development/technology commercialization
- Servicing an underserved local or regional market
- Diversifying retail and restaurant investment
- If the business is an Inn or Boutique Hotel, it must
- not be a startup;
- have at least 5 rental units, each having at least a three-piece bath;
- have revenues of at least $100,000 in the last operating year, supported by financial statements or a tax return;
- have eligible operating expenses of at least $75,000 in the last operating year, supported by financial statements or a tax return
- If the business is in the Construction/Renovation sector, the Applicant must
- have at least 3 arms-length staff employed full time for at least 6 months of the year;
- rent or construct a space that is outside of their residence to conduct business from;
- demonstrate relevant education or a minimum of 5 years experience in the proposed business;
- meet all other terms and conditions of the escrow agreement.
Businesses must also meet the investment requirements under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations governing investment for immigration purposes.
Applications will NOT be considered for the following types of businesses:
- Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses
- Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses
- Pawnbrokers
- Sale of used goods (excluding collectibles, or where the business provides value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing, or recycling)
- Real estate development, unless deemed to be significant economic benefit to the Prince Edward Island economy
- Real estate, insurance or business brokerage
- Businesses started for the sole purpose of gaining access to immigrant investment through the program
- Professional practices
- Financial services
- Consulting services
- Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the program or the Government of Prince Edward Island into disrepute.
- An entity that cannot issue shares.
- Any business, or member of an associated group of companies that has received investment through the Provincial Nominee Program within the past 48 months will not be eligible.
The PEI PNP also nominates applicants for permanent residency who possess skills and experience that are needed as part of PEI’s labour force in of two categories, skilled worker stream and critical worker stream.
This stream is for workers who have at least a post-secondary degree or diploma and related work experience for a position that has been identified with a PEI employer.
The applicant must:
- Have a full-time, long-term (i.e. permanent or minimum of 2 years) job offer from a Prince Edward Island employer at a NOC skill level O, A or B.
- Have a valid work permit if currently employed by a Prince Edward Island employer.
- Have legal status in country of residence.
- Have successfully completed minimum 2 year post-secondary education degree or diploma.
- Be between 21 and 59 years of age.
- Have at least two years of full-time work experience within the past five years.
- Possess sufficient English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered by a Prince Edward Island employer. Language ability can be verified by one of the following:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) test result with a minimum band score of 4 obtained within the last 2 years; or
- Declaration of language ability from the Island employer offering the full-time job; or
- Educational/training documents from an internationally recognized institution, indicating the principal language studied/communicated was in English and/or French.
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement supports and financial resources as indicated by transferable funds, in order for the applicant and family to pay the immigration costs, travel expenses and other settlement expenses to be able to establish in Prince Edward Island.
- Demonstrate genuine intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.
The employer is responsible for ensuring:
- Employment is full-time (training, internship or apprenticeship positions that terminate on a specific date will NOT be considered).
- Employment contract is for a permanent position or minimum length of 2 years.
- Employment in the intended occupation is consistent with the applicant’s ability to perform the job based on the applicant’s education, training and/or experience.
- Employment terms and conditions meet all applicable provincial and federal employment workplace standards and the comparable industry wage rate.
- Employment of the applicant does not contravene existing bargaining unit agreements or employment disputes.
- Employment is in Prince Edward Island.
- Employment that requires provincial licensing or accreditation has been verified to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to be eligible to work in the occupation in Prince Edward Island.
- Employment contract is provided, which includes the terms and conditions of the full-time job offer, signatures of the authorized signing officer of the company, and the employee (applicant) accepting the offer including conditions for employment.
- Settlement support is provided to the applicant and the family to help them establish.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is provided, if applicable.
- Attendance at an interview at the Office of Immigration, if required.
- Documentation is provided to demonstrate effort to recruit for the intended profession has been unsuccessful through efforts within Canada and the position is critical to the operation of the employers business.
This stream is for workers who have already been hired and are being sponsored by a PEI employer.
The applicant must:
- Have a full-time, long-term (i.e. permanent or minimum of 2 years) job offer from a Prince Edward Island employer at a NOC skill level C or D in one of the following occupations; truck driver, customer service representative, labourer, food & beverage server or housekeeping attendant.
- Have worked a minimum of 6 months full-time for the Prince Edward Island employer.
- Have a valid work permit.
- Have legal status in country of residence.
- Possess a minimum education of high-school equivalent.
- Be between 21 and 59 years of age.
- Have at least two years of full-time work experience or relevant education within the past five years.
- Provide a validlanguage test result obtained within the last 2 years. A minimum standard of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 4 in each of the 4 categories (listening, reading, writing and speaking) is required.
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement supports and financial resources as indicated by transferable funds in order for the applicant and family to pay the immigration costs, travel expenses and other settlement expenses to be able to establish in Prince Edward Island.
- Demonstrate genuine intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.
The employer is responsible for ensuring:
- Employment is full-time (training, internship or apprenticeship positions that terminate on a specific date will NOT be considered).
- Employment contract is for a permanent position or minimum length of 2 years.
- Employment in the intended occupation is consistent with the applicant’s ability to perform the job based on the applicant’s education, training and/or experience.
- Employment terms and conditions meet all applicable provincial and federal employment workplace standards and the comparable industry wage rate.
- Employment of the applicant does not contravene existing bargaining unit agreements or employment disputes.
- Employment is in Prince Edward Island.
- Employment that requires provincial licensing or accreditation has been verified to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to be eligible to work in the occupation in Prince Edward Island.
- Employment contract is provided, which includes the terms and conditions of the full-time job offer, signatures of the authorized signing officer of the company, and the employee (applicant) accepting the offer and conditions of employment.
- Settlement support is provided to the applicant and the family to help them establish.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is provided.
- Attendance at an interview at the Office of Immigration, if required.
- Documentation is provided to demonstrate effort to recruit for the intended profession has been unsuccessful within Canada and the position is critical to the operation of the employers business.
The International Graduate Stream is for applicants who have recently graduated from a recognized accredited Prince Edward Island university or college with a a full-time job offer in their field of study under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B.
The applicant:
- Must have a permanent, full-time job offer in their field of study from a Prince Edward Island employer at a NOC skill level 0, A or B
- Must have worked a minimum of 6 months for the Prince Edward Island employer
- Must have legal status in Canada
- Must have a valid post-graduate work permit
- Must have completed at least a two-year diploma or degree program while studying full time
- Must have graduated within the past two years from full-time study at an accredited Prince Edward Island University or College
- Should be between 21 and 55 years of age
- Must possess English and/or French language ability to perform the job offered by a Prince Edward Island employer
- Must demonstrate sufficient settlement supports and financial resources, including transferable funds, in order for the applicant and family to pay the immigration costs, travel expenses and establish in Prince Edward Island
- Must demonstrate genuine intention to settle in Prince Edward Island
To be eligible, the offer of employment must be in PEI, be full-time and not a training, internship or apprenticeship positions that terminates on a specific date. The employment terms and conditions meet all applicable provincial and federal employment workplace standards and the comparable industry wage rate. The Employer must provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) where applicable.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and processes for all immigration streams under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program, click here [ http://www.gov.pe.ca/immigration/ ]