Prince Edward Island immigration’s March 19 Expression of Interest draw will be rescheduled due to its office being closed because of coronavirus.
“We will provide additional information when available and appreciate your support and understanding at this time,” a statement on the province’s website said.
It added that the PEI Office of Immigration is currently providing essential services only.
Candidates invited to apply have been instructed to call 902-620-3628 to schedule a time to deliver their file.
The March 19 draw would have been the third of 2020 through PEI Expression of Interest.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draws feature invites for the province’s immigration streams for Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact candidates.
In two draws so far in 2020, 276 invites have been issued through the PEI PNP. They include 253 Express Entry and Labour Impact invites and 23 Business Impact candidates.
PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018 and has made monthly draws ever since.
The next draw is planned for April 16, although this will depend on how the coronavirus crisis develops.
PEI PNP Immigration Draws 2020
| Date | Category | Invites Issued | Minimum Score |
| 20-02-2020 | Labour Impact/Express Entry | 143 | N/A |
| Business Impact | 10 | 122 | |
| 16-01-2020 | Labour Impact/Express Entry | 110 | N/A |
| Business Impact | 13 | 125 |
Anticipated 2020 Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw Dates
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
PEI issued a total of 1,629 invites during 2019. Of these, 1,436 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 193 going to Business Impact candidates.
Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream
PEI’s Express Entry category operates by considering candidates already in the federal Express Entry Pool for a provincial nomination.
Such a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration.
The PEI Express Entry Category features two pathways to Canadian permanent residence, one for candidates with a job offer and one for those without.
Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category
1) Skilled Worker Stream
This employer-driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian Permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:
- A full-time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as skill level “0”, “A” or “B” of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
- Completion of post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
- Between 21 and 55 years of age;
- At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
- Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
- Sufficient settlement funds;
- Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.
2) Critical Worker Stream
This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:
- A full-time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
- Truck driver;
- Customer service representative;
- Labourer;
- Food & beverage server;
- Housekeeping attendant.
- 6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
- Current valid Canadian work permit;
- High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
- Between 21 and 55 years of age;
- At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
- Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
- Sufficient settlement funds;
- Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.
Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category
Work Permit Stream
Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.
After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.
Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.