How to obtain permanent residency in PEI, Canada
Prince Edward Island: a province that facilitates permanent residence
Canada welcomes all foreigners from all over the world who wish to live, study or work in the country, since the Canadian government is aware of the valuable contribution they represent to the economy; however, the requirements to apply for permanent residency are more specific and the applicant must comply with them to the fullest. Now, there is a beautiful province located to the east of the country called Prince Edward Island or PEI, an island whose capital is the city of Charlottetown, where urban development and port life are combined in the midst of a dreamy landscape.
How does the PEI Provincial Nomination Program work?
If you are seeking permanent residency in Prince Edward Island, one option is to be nominated by the federal government through PEI's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Individuals are selected for nomination based on their intention to live and work on PEI, as well as their financial ability to settle on the Island. At this time, priority will be given to entrepreneurs and those individuals qualified to work in identified skill shortage areas of the PEI labor market.
Why is it easier to apply for permanent residency in PEI?
Because the province requires a workforce of people who have completed high school, but may not have a university education, or their level of English is minimal, CBL 4 (or IELTS) and not 5 or 6 as required for other provinces. This makes for more flexibility in processing applicants' applications. In short, if you are not a technician or professional and have a job offer in PEI, then you are eligible for permanent residency. However, you must have demonstrable experience in the area of work you are applying for.
To compare your English level according to the CLB or IELTS tests, check this link.
Which program facilitates this application?
Among the various provincial nomination options offered by the province of Prince Edward Island is the In-Demand Occupations option, an employer-driven program that allows Island employers to fill specific positions that they cannot fill through the local labour market. This stream can be used to recruit talent from within and outside of Canada. This means that the province facilitates the option for foreign nationals who want to live in Canada through the provincial nomination to contribute economically to the region.
Who is eligible for the PEI PNP?
All those applicants who have a full-time permanent job offer on PEI, and whose NOC/TEERS is on this list:
NOC 33102 (Nursing aides, attendants and patient service associates).
NOC 73300 (Transport truck drivers).
NOC 75110 (Construction trades helpers and laborers).
NOC 65310 (Light cleaners).
NOC 95109 (Other workers in processing, manufacturing and utilities).
NOC 75101 (Material Handlers).
NOC 94140 (Process control and operators of food and beverage processing machines).
NOC 94141 (Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers).
In the following IRCC link, you can consult the NOC of your profession.
What are the requirements to apply?
The applicant must have the following:
- The offer of employment in PEI.
- A minimum of one year of full-time work experience in the field indicated in your offer.
- Age between 18 and 59 years old.
- High school diploma.
- A minimum level of English or French IELTS/CLB 4 and prove it through a test accepted by IRCC, these language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result.
- Enough money to cover your stay, immigration payments, travel, etc., for both you and your family. These funds must be proven through legitimate documentation.
- Demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in the province.
Note: these are the minimum requirements to apply, remember that the PEI province will review each case and select the best profiles, therefore, if your English level is higher than IELTS/CLB 4 and/or if you have studies as a technician in the field for which you have the job offer, you will have a better chance of being selected.
Even so, what is important is that under this option people who get a job offer outside of Canada in their home country can apply for permanent residence before entering the country.
What to do if the PEI employer applies and does not yet have permanent residency?
In that case, you may opt for a closed or interim work permit for you to travel to Canada and begin working with your employer until your permanent residency is granted.
How to participate in the PEI PNP?
The first thing to do is to make sure you meet the above requirements.
- Learn more about the Workforce Application Guide.
- Create your profile in the Expression of Interest System.
- Verify the account.
- Complete the profile.
- Once you receive the invitation, you will receive an e-mail with your file number and instructions on how to send it.
- Then, you and your employer must fill out the application forms.
Other advantages of the PEI PNP
In addition to easily qualifying for permanent residency, the applicant may travel with his or her partner, spouse or common-law spouse and children under 22 years of age.
If you want to secure a job offer, speaking French at an intermediate level will give you a better chance of being hired.
Remember that the immigration paperwork is free of charge, however, if you are selected to apply for nomination you will be charged a non-refundable fee of $300 CAD. From the moment you are nominated, you must submit your application for permanent residence to the IRCC along with your provincial nomination certificate.
At Immiland Canada, we provide innovative information to help you migrate safely, responsibly and legally to Canada. If you have doubts about your case or if you wish to improve your English or French language skills, we invite you to visit our websites immilandcanada.com and Planeta Immiland Education.
With love,
Immiland
Note: This article does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion from an attorney. Rather, it is provided solely to inform readers about certain aspects related to the details of the law in legal matters.