News Briefing

Prince Edward Island issues 181 invitations to apply for provincial nomination to workers in priority occupations

Aug 24, 2026News Briefingwww.cicnews.com

On August 20 2026 the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) issued 181 invitations to apply for provincial nomination. The invitations were extended under the Labour Impact and PEI Express Entry streams to in‑province workers employed in sectors the province has identified as having a high economic impact, such as healthcare, trades, manufacturing and other key industries facing labour shortages.

Draw summary

Draw date Invitations issued Streams 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
Aug 20 2026 181

All eight draws this year used the same selection criteria. The PEI PNP does not publish the specific occupations or the breakdown of invitations by stream for each draw.

Since the start of 2026, the province has issued a total of 1,034 invitations. Unlike 2025, no invitations have been issued under the Business Impact Category, which is the pathway for entrepreneurs.

Priority groups

  • International graduates – Candidates who completed studies at one of the three designated PEI institutions (University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, Collège de l’Île) received priority consideration.
  • In‑province workers – Applicants had to indicate in their Expression of Interest (EOI) that they were employed in a sector or occupation currently prioritized by the province.

Upcoming draws

The PEI PNP plans twelve monthly draws in 2026. Four draws remain:

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

The published dates are for “general informational purposes” and may be adjusted, though the province has historically adhered closely to its schedule.

How candidates are selected

  1. Register and submit an EOI through the official PEI immigration portal.
  2. Each profile is scored on:
    • English or French language proficiency
    • Education (level, field, and location)
    • Work experience and skills aligned with in‑demand occupations or priority sectors
    • Alignment with PEI’s labour market needs
    • Employment potential (e.g., a PEI job offer or prior Canadian work experience)
  3. Each month, higher‑ranking candidates are invited to apply for provincial nomination.
  4. Invited candidates must submit a complete application within 30 days.
  5. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination certificate, which they use to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. If approved, they receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can complete the landing process.

These details provide a snapshot of the current PEI PNP draw activity, the criteria used to select candidates, and the schedule for the remaining draws in 2026.