PEI PNP Critical Worker stream

As this stream targets semi-skilled workers, it means that the PEI PNP Critical Worker stream offers a route to Canadian permanent residence for certain workers who may not eligible to pursue immigration through the Express Entry system.

The PEI PNP Critical Worker stream falls under the Labour Impact category. Invitation rounds (draws) for this category occur regularly, and you can track these draws on our PNP Live Tracker.

Special measure for trucking employees: The Critical Worker Stream may be utilized for talent recruitment outside Canada for approved Prince Edward Island trucking-sector employers. With approval, a work permit support letter would be provided for the applicant.

The PEI PNP Critical Worker stream eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for the PEI PNP Critical Worker stream you must:

• have a full-time long-term (i.e. permanent or minimum of two years) job offer from a PEI employer in a position at National Occupation Code (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities (TEER) category 4 or 5;
• have worked a minimum of six months full-time for the PEI employer;
• have a valid work permit and legal status in Canada;
• be able to attend an interview with staff from the PEI PNP Office, if required;
• possess a minimum education of secondary school;
• be between the ages of 18 and 59;
• have at least two years of full-time work experience or relevant education in the past five years;
• provide a language test from an approved testing institute within the past two years with a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4;
• have sufficient financial resources to pay all immigration costs (including travel expenses) for you and your family to be able to establish in PEI; and
• demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

The employer is responsible for ensuring that:

• employment is full-time with a contract for a permanent position or a minimum length of two years;
• employment in the intended occupation is consistent with the applicant’s ability to perform the job based on the applicant’s education, training and/or experience;
• employment terms and conditions meet all applicable provincial and federal employment workplace standards and the comparable industry wage rate;
• employment of the applicant does not contravene existing bargaining unit agreements or employment disputes;
• the employment is in PEI;
• employment that requires provincial licensing or accreditation has been verified to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to be eligible to work in the occupation in PEI;
• an employment contract is provided, which includes the terms and conditions of the full-time job offer, signatures of the authorized signing officer of the company, and the employee (applicant) accepting the offer and conditions of employment.
• settlement support is provided to the applicant and the family to help them establish;
• a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is provided, if applicable;
• attendance at an interview with staff from the PEI PNP Office, if required; and
• documentation is provided to demonstrate effort to recruit for the intended profession has been unsuccessful within Canada and the position is critical to the operation of the business.

PEI PNP Critical Worker stream application process

If you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above, you may then create a profile in the PEI Expression of Interest system, outlined below.  You will be asked to provide a valid email address, and identification information including your passport details. Once your account has been verified, you will be able to proceed to complete your profile so that a ranking score (points) may be awarded best on your credentials. Applicants can only have one active profile at any one time.

Your profile will remain active for a period of six months. You must ensure information provided in your profile is accurate and verifiable. If your situation changes prior to being invited to apply, you may update your profile. If your situation changes after being invited to apply, you must contact the PEI PNP Office with the new information, as this may impact the ultimate decision on your file.

An Expression of Interest is not an application, but an indication of your interest in being considered to apply to the PEI PNP. If you are invited to apply you will receive an email notification that will include your file and instructions for submission of your file.  If you are invited to apply you must complete the application forms. Your employer must also complete the employer forms.

PEI PNP Critical Worker stream application fees

There is no fee to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the PEI PNP Critical Worker stream. If you are invited and choose to apply, there is a $300 application fee.

PEI PNP Critical Worker stream EOI points grid

PEI evaluates your credentials across six areas.

Factor 1: Age

Factor 2: Language

Factor 3: Education

Factor 4: Work experience

Factor 5: Employment

Factor 6: Adaptability

Based on your score, you may receive an invitation to apply when PEI conducts one of its EOI draws for the Labour Impact category (of which the PEI PNP Critical Worker stream is a part). You can keep on eye on draws with our PNP Live Tracker.

Click here to submit your Expression of Interest.