The PEI PN Program is a joint responsibility, whereby the Province recruits, selects and nominates qualified immigrant applicants while the Federal government carrying out security and health background checks and endorsing Final approval. 

The PNP expedites the immigration to Canada of individuals and their families to PEI who meet provincial criteria for various schemes to maintain:

• Business and economic development
• Supply of skilled workers
• Enhance population; and
• Accomplish provincial demographic, social and cultural objectives

There are four PEI Nominee Program Categories:

The Province’s website contains a Skills shortage list which would assist applicants to evaluate their skill sets, in relation to the PEI labor market.

Professional and Skilled Worker
Skilled worker category of the PNP is mainly designed to help resolve labour and skill shortages on the island. Skilled Worker can either be an Employee or Self Employed.

A Skills Labor shortage List outlines the relevant skills that prospective immigrants can assess to secure paid employment in a particular occupation that is in demand in PEI.

The skilled worker eligibility criteria are:

• Exploratory visit to PEI
  
  
• May have to appear for a Pre Nomination interview
  
  
• Be in the age group of 21-49 years
  
  
• Should score a minimum of 50 on the Self assessment
  
  
• Adequate language skills in English / French
  
  
• Permanent full time job offer from PEI employer
  
  
• Employment consistence with employees background such as education, training & experience
  
  
• Applicant should meet relevant licensing requirements for that specific occupation
  
  
• Employment fills skills shortage in PEI
  
  
• Intention to settle in PEI

Hiring Process by Employer:
To work temporarily as a skilled worker one must have a temporary work permit where an employer starts the process of acquiring such a work permit. A work permit does not allow you to immigrate to Canada. You may qualify to become a permanent resident by applying for your Permanent Resident Visa once you are working in Canada.

Immigrant Entrepreneur
An ideal candidate to PEI PNP has a combination of age, education, language skills and transferable management skills.

• Less than 55 years of age;
  
  
• Minimum 14 years of education, including one or more post-secondary certificates or degrees;
  
  
• Capable of being interviewed in English or French;
  
  
• Possesses several years of management or, preferably, business ownership experience in a sector with relevance to the PEI economy.

The Eligibility Criteria for the Entrepreneur category are:

• Minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN
  
  
• Invest a minimum of $200,000 to establish a new enterprise or purchase no less than 33% of an existing business
  
  
• Payment of a $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 successfully
  
  
• Place $25,000 in escrow with the Government of PEI as a good faith deposit which is returned after applicant has resided for one year in PEI & business operational
  
  
• Language deposit - Entrepreneurs whose capacity in English or French is insufficient to be interviewed in that language are required to place $20,000 in escrow with the Government of PEI. This language deposit will be returned, after the applicant demonstrates moderate language skills, in English or French, after arrival in PEI.
  
  
• Visit PEI for a minimum stay of 3-5 business days.

• A business plan to demonstrate that the Entrepreneur has the capacity to establish a successful business in the PEI business environment.
  
  
• Participate in an Interview by a Program Officer - Meet with an Officer at the Canada-PEI Business Services Center for assistance and advice in identifying business opportunities, market research, regulatory requirements to start a business and guidance in preparing a business plan for review by the Province.

Entrepreneurs are required to establish or purchase a business in PEI within two years of receiving permanent residency status.

Immigrant Partner
Immigrant Partner category is meant for potential immigrants who intend to make an investment in a PEI company and take an active position as a Director or as a Senior manager in the invested company.

• An applicant to the PEI PNP program has a blend of age, education, language skills and transferable management skills to be Immigrant Partner: 
  
  
• Less than 55 years of age 
  
  
• Minimum 14 years of education, including one or more post-secondary certificates or degrees
  
  
• Capable of being interviewed in English or French
  
  
• Possesses several years of management or business ownership experience in a sector relevant to the PEI economy.

The Eligibility Criteria are:

• Minimum personal net worth of $400,000
  
  
• Make a $200,000 investment by way of preferred shares in a suitable PEI company
  
  
• Place $25,000 in escrow to be returned after one year's residency in PEI & meeting other conditions
  
  
• Visit PEI for a minimum stay of 3-5 business days
  
  
• Interview by a PEI Program Officer

Immigrant partners will invest $200,000 through preferred shares in PEI company and will take an active role in the invested company as a Director or as a Senior management employee at level "O" under the National Occupational Code.

Immigrant Connections
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can notify PEI who to nominate amongst their connections – a close family member or a friend.

“Champions” are the ones who can make such a recommendation and are not required to sign a formal agreement or provide a financial guarantee. At present Restricted to family only as of September 1 2006.

Both the champion and applicant will be assessed, as both are key participants in the success of the Nomination.

Eligibility Criteria for Champions
“Champions” who are eligible to nominate “Connections” to PEI require the following eligibility Criteria:

• Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident who has lived on Prince Edward Island for more than two years
  
  
• Closeness of the relationship between Champion & Connection nominee
  
  
• Have a regular source of income sufficient for their needs and their dependents
  
  
• Possess flawless & very good personal history.
  
  
• Extent to which the champion can help the applicant find employment
  
  
• Testimonials from other PEI residents or evidence of volunteer work or community service are of assistance but not really necessary
  
  
• Overall sense of commitment which the champion puts across

The Champion will make an informal, but written commitment that they will take every possible action to ensure that the nominee is integrated into the Prince Edward Island community successfully.

Eligibility Criteria for Nominees
The following eligibility criteria apply to the Connections Nominee:

• Must prove the relationship to the Champion as eligible family members
  
  
• Individual must have an offer of employment or have the capacity to work on PEI.
  
  
• Appropriate Work history
  
  
• Employability based on education, training and work experience
  
  
• English Language skills
  
  
• Intention to live on Prince Edward Island
  
  
• Individual and dependent family is in good health and does not have a criminal record.
  
  
• Capacity for integration into the community