News Briefing

PEI holds largest provincial immigration draw this year

Jul 20, 2026News Briefingwww.cicnews.com

On July 16 2026 Prince Edward Island (PEI) issued 195 invitations for its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the largest draw the province has conducted this year.

Draw overview

The July draw targeted candidates through the Labour Impact and PEI Express Entry streams. International graduates from the three local institutions—University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and Collège de l’Île—receive priority consideration, and all 2026 draws have focused on these graduates.

Draw date Invitations issued Categories targeted
Jan 15 2026 26 Labour Impact, PEI Express Entry
Feb 19 2026 109
Mar 20 2026 101
Apr 16 2026 127
May 21 2026 113
Jun 18 2026 182
Jul 16 2026 195 Labour Impact, PEI Express Entry

The Labour Impact category comprises three streams: Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, and International Graduate.

As of July 16, a total of 853 candidates have been invited for provincial nomination in 2026.

Upcoming draw schedule

PEI publishes its invitation‑to‑apply (ITA) schedule in advance. The tentative dates for the remaining draws in 2026 are:

  • August 20
  • September 17
  • October 15
  • November 19
  • December 17

The province notes that these dates are for “general informational purposes only” and may shift.

How candidates are selected

To be considered, foreign nationals must:

  1. Register on PEI’s official immigration portal and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
  2. Have their profile scored on a points‑based system that evaluates:
    • Official language proficiency (English or French)
    • Educational background (level, field, and institution)
    • Work experience and skills aligned with in‑demand occupations or priority industries
    • Alignment with provincial labour‑market priorities
    • Employment potential, such as a PEI job offer or prior Canadian work experience

Higher‑scoring profiles are more likely to receive an invitation. Once invited, candidates have 30 calendar days to submit a complete provincial nomination application. Successful nominees can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.