Prince Edward Island Invites 26 Candidates in First PNP Draw of 2026

A Quick Look at the January 15 Draw 

• Total invitations issued: 26

• Streams included: Labour Impact & Express Entry

• Business Work Permit invitations: 0

• Selection focus:

Candidates working in priority occupations

Applicants contributing to PEI’s economy

• International graduates from:

University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)

Holland College

Collège de l’Île

PEI continued its familiar approach of prioritising people who are already living, studying, or working on the island. 

How This Compares to the End of 2025

The province held its final scheduled draw of 2025 on December 15, issuing 166 invitations to candidates working in priority sectors. That draw also took place a few days earlier than the date listed on PEI’s published schedule. 

Just over a week later, PEI held an unexpected additional draw on December 23, issuing 13 invitations. While the province did not explain why this extra round was held, it likely reflects PEI using some of its remaining nomination spaces before the year ended. 

With that final December draw included, PEI issued a total of 1,609 invitations in 2025. 

Where This Draw Fits Into PEI’s Overall Pattern

Looking back, PEI’s PNP activity in 2025 followed a steady rhythm across 14 draws. Most invitation rounds were held about once a month and typically issued between 120 and 190 invitations. 

The largest draw took place on November 20, when 190 candidates were invited. Several other draws landed in the 160–170 range, including April, May, October, and December 15. 

Compared to those larger rounds, both the December 23 draw and this January 15 draw stand out for their smaller size. Still, the province’s priorities have stayed consistent: selecting candidates who are already contributing to the local workforce and economy. 

What This Means for Candidates

For candidates hoping to be nominated by PEI in 2026, the message doesn’t look like it’s really changed. Local work experience, employer support, and education ties to the island still matter most when it comes to being selected. 

By the end of 2025, PEI had 1,600 nomination spaces for the year, but the province has not yet confirmed how many allocations it will receive for 2026. Until those numbers are released, it’s hard to predict exactly what will come next from the provinces ‘nominee program. 

Looking Ahead

The next anticipated PEI PNP draw is scheduled for February 19, 2026. While details have not been confirmed, candidates should expect another targeted round aligned with PEI’s labour market needs. 

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