PEI PNP Labour Impact

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Labour Impact category offers foreign nationals with a valid job offer and the support of a PEI employer a route to Canadian permanent residence.

This immigration category of thePrince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)comprises three routes, each with its own set of eligibility requirements: the Skilled Worker Stream, the Critical Worker Stream and the International Graduate Stream.

Foreign nationals intending to settle in PEI are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements of the PEI Labour Impact category before submitting anExpression of Interest (EOI)to apply for a provincial nomination.

With an EOI, a foreign national is not applying to the programme, but simply expressing an intention to become a permanent resident and live in PEI.

Skilled Worker Stream

A PEI employer that has identified or recruited a highly skilled foreign worker may, through this stream, support that worker in applying for Canadian permanent residence. The requirements for applying under the Skilled Worker Stream differ depending on whether the candidate is living inside or outside the province.

Minimum requirements for candidates

To qualify under the Skilled Worker Stream of the Labour Impact category, a foreign worker in PEI must:

• Be aged between 21 and 59;
• Hold a full-time, long-term job offer (permanent or a minimum of 2 years) from a PEI employer for a highly skilled position (NOC level 0, A or B);
• Hold a valid work permit;
• Hold legal status in their country of residence;
• Attend an interview with an officer from the PEI Office of Immigration, if requested;
• Hold at least a 2-year post-secondary qualification;
• Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to settle in PEI;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI; and
• Have sufficient English or French ability to perform the duties of the job offered in PEI. Language ability may be verified by one of the following:
  • Language test results from a testing bodyImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)approved by IRCC within the past 2 years, at a minimum ofCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4;
  • A PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration signed by the employer; or
  • Documentation from an internationally recognised institution showing that the main language of instruction was English or French.

To qualify under the Skilled Worker Stream of the Labour Impact category, a foreign national living outside PEI must:

• Be aged between 21 and 59;
• Hold a full-time, long-term job offer (permanent or a minimum of 2 years) from a PEI employer for a highly skilled position (National Occupational Classification (NOC)level 0, A or B); (it is important that the employer contacts the PEI Office of Immigration in advance to have the job offer approved before the candidate submits an EOI);
• Hold legal status in their country of residence;
• Attend an interview with an officer from the PEI Office of Immigration, if requested;
• Hold at least a 2-year post-secondary qualification;
• Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to settle in PEI;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI;
• Have sufficient English or French ability to perform the duties of the job offered in PEI. Language ability may be verified by one of the following:
  • Language test results from a testing body approved by IRCC within the past 2 years, at a minimum of CLB 4; or
  • A PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration signed by the employer; or
  • Documentation from an internationally recognised institution showing that the main language of instruction was English or French.

Critical Worker Stream

The Critical Worker Stream is an employer-driven stream that allows PEI employers to recruit foreign workers to fill vacancies in jobs classified at National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level C or D.

Through the Critical Worker Stream, a PEI employer can support a foreign worker in applying for Canadian permanent residence.

Minimum requirements for candidates

To qualify under the Critical Worker Stream, a foreign worker must:

• Be aged between 21 and 59;
• Hold a full-time, long-term job offer (permanent or a minimum of 2 years) from a PEI employer for one of the following semi-skilled or low-skilled positions (NOC levels C and D):
  • Truck driver;
  • Customer service representative;
  • Labourer;
  • Food and beverage server; or
  • Housekeeping attendant;
• Have worked full time for the PEI employer for at least 6 months;
• Hold a valid work permit and legal status in Canada;
• Have a minimum level of education of secondary school or equivalent;
• Attend an interview in PEI, if requested;
• Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past 5 years;
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover all immigration costs (including travel) for themselves and their family members in order to settle in PEI;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI; and
• Provide language test results from a testing body approved by IRCC with a minimum score of CLB 4 in all four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking), obtained within the past 2 years.

International Graduate Stream

This is an employer-driven stream that allows PEI employers to recruit recent graduates from recognised universities and colleges in PEI.

Minimum requirements for candidates

To qualify under the International Graduate Stream, an international student must:

• Be aged between 21 and 59;
• Hold a full-time, permanent job offer (or a minimum of 2 years) from a PEI employer for a highly skilled position (NOC level 0, A or B);
• Have worked for the PEI employer for at least 6 months in a position directly related to the post-secondary qualification obtained in PEI;
• Hold a validPost-Graduation Work Permitand legal status in Canada;
• Attend an interview in PEI, if requested;
• Have successfully completed a post-secondary degree or certificate (a programme of at least 2 years) from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in PEI;
• Have sufficient English and/or French ability to perform the job offered by the PEI employer;
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to settle successfully in PEI; and
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Minimum requirements for PEI PNP employers

The PEI employer is responsible for ensuring the following:

• The job offer is full time (training, internship or apprenticeship positions ending on a specific date are not considered) and permanent (or for a minimum of 2 years);
• The job matches the candidate’s ability to perform the work on the basis of their education, training and/or experience;
• The terms and conditions of employment meet federal and provincial standards as well as industry pay rates;
• The job does not breach existing collective agreements or labour disputes;
• The work is performed in PEI;
• The foreign worker’s licence or certification to perform the work is verified, where applicable;
• An employment contract is provided, including the terms and conditions of the full-time job offer, the signature of an authorised company officer, and that of the employee (the candidate) accepting the offer and the conditions of employment;
• Settlement support is provided for the candidate and their family;
• A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)is provided, where applicable;
• Attendance at an immigration interview may be required; and
• Documentation is provided to demonstrate unsuccessful recruitment efforts within Canada and that the position is important to the employer’s business operations.

PEI Labour Impact category application process

Step 1: determine eligibility for one of the PEI PNP Labour Impact streams.

Foreign nationals interested in applying to the PEI PNP Labour Impact category are encouraged first to review their eligibility for one of the three routes — the Skilled Worker Stream, the Critical Worker Stream and the International Graduate Stream — before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile to the programme.

Step 2: create and submit an EOI profile.

If an individual meets the eligibility requirements of the Labour Impact category routes, they may create a profile and provide a valid email address together with verifiable identifying information. The EOI profile is valid for 6 months. Note that submitting an EOI profile is not an application, but an expression of interest in being considered to apply to the programme. Submitted profiles are scored against the PEI PNP selection system points grid.

Step 3: prepare and complete the provincial nomination application and provide the relevant supporting documents (if invited to apply).

In periodic draws, the PEI PNP issues invitations to apply for provincial nomination to high-scoring eligible candidates. Invited candidates have up to 60 days from the date of the invitation letter to submit a complete provincial nomination application to the PEI PNP.

Step 4: prepare and submit the complete provincial nomination application to the PEI PNP.

If invited to apply to the PEI PNP Labour Impact category, the foreign national must provide all required supporting documents together with the complete provincial nomination application to the PEI PNP.

Step 5: submit the Canadian permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Successfully nominated foreign nationals must submit a complete Canadian permanent residence application to the federal government. If the permanent residence application is approved, the foreign national must report their arrival to the Office of Immigration within 30 days of arriving in the province.