Prince Edward Island

Immigrating to Canada via the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program allows candidates wishing to migrate to Canada on a permanent basis to live and work on Prince Edward Island as a skilled worker, investor, or entrepreneur, or through family ties to the province.

Like all Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs in participating provinces, the Prince Edward Island immigration service can provide a quicker route to Canadian permanent resident status than applying through one of the federal business visa services or other Canadian immigration services which apply to the country as a whole. However, a successful applicant immigrating to Prince Edward Island must initially settle in this province.

Canadian Immigration consultants at Global Visas can help you to navigate the range of visas for Canada and Canadian work permits available and can ensure that you obtain the most appropriate Canadian visa for your needs. As a specialist Canadian immigration consultancy, we can provide immigration lawyer experience throughout your visa application, and can offer a comprehensive Canada visa service assisting you at every stage of your relocation to Canada.

Benefits

Prince Edward Island immigration through the provincial nomination route offers a route to Canadian permanent residence beyond which, candidates may be able to apply for Canadian citizenship if the three-year minimum residency requirement for becoming a Canadian citizen is fulfilled. Unlike some other provincial Canadian migration systems such as that employed in Alberta which require an employer to apply on behalf of a candidate in a manner similar to a Canadian work permit application, the Prince Edward Island model allow candidates to apply for themselves. Applicants may live and work in Canada through obtaining a job offer, establishing a business, or investing in an existing venture.

As well as providing a quicker route to permanent residency in Canada, the provincial route bypasses the federal points system employed in Canadian business visa services. Immigration to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker visa, which functions in a similar manner to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP in the UK, requires candidates to reach a minimum threshold on a points based assessment. This is also true of the business based Canadian visas which make up the business immigration program; the Immigrant Investor Program (IIP), the Self Employed Person visa, and the Entrepreneur visa. A points system is employed in some streams of the Prince Edward Island provincial route however, candidates are not evaluated against the Federal assessment criteria.

Understanding the System

Applications for the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Program may be submitted under one of the following four categories.

Prince Edward Island Skilled Worker

This category requires a permanent full time job offer to be in place from an employer in the province and in addition, a candidate must have:

  • A score of 50 points or more on the self-assessment.
  • Education and training consistent with the position offered.
  • A sufficient grasp of English or French, if required for the position.
  • The ability and intention to settle in the province.

Prince Edward Island Immigrant Entrepreneur

Migrating to Canada under The entrepreneur category is designed for those who wish to migrate to Canada in order to start a business venture in the province. Candidates must be able to fulfil the following requirements.

  • Possess a minimum net worth of CDN $400,000
  • Be able to submit a detailed business plan appropriate to the province.
  • Make a deposit of CDN $100,000 which will be returned after one year of residency and the successful undertaking of the proposed venture.
  • Make a "good faith" deposit of CDN $25,000 with the PEI government which will be held in escrow and returned after one year of residence.
  • Have sufficient command of either English or French to be interviewed in one of these languages. Where candidates do not possess sufficient linguistic skills, a further sum of CDN $20,000 must be placed in escrow, which will be refunded after one year if during that time the candidate is able to amass and demonstrate linguistic skills.

Candidates will also be assessed on their age, education, and business experience. A Global Visas migration consultant will be happy to discuss these requirements in full.

Prince Edward Island Immigrant Partner

This category is aimed at candidates who intend to invest and play an active management role in a company in the province. Applicants must:

  • Have a minimum net worth of CDN $400,000
  • Be willing to invest a minimum of $200,000 to establish a new business or purchase not less than 33% of an existing one.
  • Make a payment of CDN $25,000, refundable after one year's residency in the province.

As with the entrepreneur category, candidates will also be assessed on their age, education, linguistic ability and relevant business experience.

Prince Edward Island Immigrant Connections

In some cases, immigrants who have already become established in Prince Edward island may sponsor or "champion" family members who they would like to be nominated by the province to immigrate to Canada. For this to take place, Applicants will be assessed against a points based system and in addition, the "Champion" must meet the following criteria:

  • They must have resided in the province for a period in excess of two years after receiving their Canada immigration visa.
  • They must have a reliable and regular source of income sufficient to support themselves and their dependents.
  • Applicants must also meet the requirements of having a job offer in place, and with the exception of older parents, be in good health.

Spouse Immigration and Dependent immigration

As is the case with provincial nomination routes in all participating provinces, this method of living and working in Canada is designed as a route to permanent settled status. As a result, family immigration is permitted, allowing applicants to bring their spouse or partner and dependent children with them.

An applicant's spouse, common-law or conjugal partner may be added to their application and unmarried children under 22 years of age may also be included. It is also permissible to include children over the age of 22 who are either dependent on the applicant due to being in full time education or are unable to work and be independent due to disability.