Prince Edward Island Issues Invitations in Eighth PNP Draw of 2025

Prince Edward Island’s immigration program issued new invitations to skilled workers and international graduates in its latest round, reinforcing a targeted approach that favors people already in The province and employers facing high-demand vacancies. On August 21, 2025, PEI held its eighth Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of 2025, sending out 132 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Labour Impact and Express Entry categories. Officials continue to focus on real-time labor needs while keeping the process predictable with a published draw calendar, an approach that stands out in Canada 🇨🇦 and gives applicants and employers time to plan.

The government’s numbers show a steady pace this year. By late August, PEI had invited 791 skilled workers and only one business candidate through regular draws in 2025, a clear signal that the province’s priority is filling critical roles in sectors that keep the local economy running. This round also points to the province’s growing reliance on candidates who are already work-ready in PEI: people with jobs in hand, graduates from local schools, and workers who can move quickly into full-time roles that match immediate shortages.

Draw schedule and predictability

PEI has made the timing easier to follow. The province is one of the only jurisdictions that publishes an annual schedule for PNP draws. The remaining 2025 draw dates are:

• September 18
• October 16
• November 20
• December 18

The consistent timeline helps applicants maintain active profiles and allows hiring managers to align onboarding plans with expected selection rounds. It also offers clarity at a moment when federal and provincial immigration targets are tighter and competition for nominations has increased across the country.

Pathways targeted in the August draw

Officials targeted two main pathways in the latest draw:

• Labour Impact category
  • Supports skilled workers who have PEI job offers, critical workers in in-demand roles, and graduates from local schools such as UPEI, Holland College, and Collège de l’Île.
• Express Entry category
  • For candidates who already have a valid federal Express Entry profile. A provincial nomination from PEI adds 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which almost always leads to a federal Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

While the Business Impact stream remains part of the program, only one entrepreneur has received an invitation so far this year, underscoring the province’s narrow focus on labor market gaps.

Program priorities and who was invited

The August draw fits PEI’s broader selection strategy. The province continues to prioritize candidates who are already settled in the community and working in local jobs. That includes international graduates from PEI institutions who have Canadian work experience, language skills, and a proven record of living in smaller communities.

Officials have emphasized alignment with sectors that have urgent needs—especially healthcare, construction, and manufacturing—where employers have struggled to keep up with demand. They say aligning immigration with frontline needs helps communities grow while easing pressure on public services.

Key features that strengthen an applicant’s profile:
– A valid job offer from a PEI employer, especially in an in-demand occupation.
– Recent full-time work in the province, including via post-graduation work permits or employer-specific permits.
– Education completed in PEI, signaling ties to the community and readiness to stay long term.
– Strong English or French skills for better workplace integration.

How the Expression of Interest (EOI) works

The EOI process is the entry point for most candidates. Important details:

• Profiles stay active for six months.
• Selection is based on language ability, education, relevant work experience, and adaptability (e.g., prior study or employment in PEI).
• Applicants who receive an ITA must submit a full application with documents that back up their claims.
• If approved, the province issues a nomination. For Express Entry candidates, the provincial nomination is the decisive factor that normally triggers the federal Invitation to Apply.

PEI’s published draw calendar is intended to reduce uncertainty and help applicants and employers prepare documents, arrange references, and schedule language testing or medical exams without guessing when the next draw will occur. You can find the schedule here: Anticipated Invitation to Apply Schedule — PEI Office of Immigration.

Recent draw history (2025)

Recent draw figures show how PEI is pacing invitations across the year:

• August 21, 2025: 132 ITAs (Labour Impact/Express Entry)
• July 17, 2025: 39 ITAs (Labour Impact/Express Entry)
• June 19, 2025: 108 ITAs (Labour Impact/Express Entry)
• May 15, 2025: 97 ITAs (Labour Impact/Express Entry)

These totals suggest a deliberate approach that issues a steady stream of invitations while staying within provincial allocations shaped by federal targets. For candidates, that means keeping EOI profiles current, responding quickly to employer requests, and ensuring language tests and work permits remain valid ahead of scheduled draws.

Policy shifts shaping the 2025 landscape

Several recent policy changes affect provincial selection:

1. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) change — January 24, 2025
   • PEI now limits AIP endorsements to healthcare, construction, and manufacturing only.
   • Applications from other sectors are no longer accepted under AIP.
   • This change responds to a reduced federal cap for AIP admissions in 2025—set at 5,000, down from 6,500 in 2024.
   • Workers in other sectors must use the PNP or federal pathways instead.
2. Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act — first phase effective April 1, 2025
   • Sets new standards for employers and recruiters:
     • No false or misleading information.
     • Employers cannot hold workers’ passports or documents (except briefly for administrative handling).
     • Recruiters must be licensed and must not charge fees to foreign workers.
     • Recruiters must sign written contracts with both employer and worker.
     • Licensing requires a $100 fee and a $10,000 security deposit.
   • Officials, including Labour Minister Jenn Redmond, say these measures aim to prevent exploitation and promote fair hiring practices.

These protections are especially relevant in PEI because many invited candidates are already working in the province under employer-specific permits. Stronger recruitment rules reduce the risk of abuse and help honest recruiters remain in good standing—making workers feel safer and easing employers’ ability to hire globally without being undercut by bad actors.

1. Federal context: national targets
   • Canada’s 2025 national immigration target is 395,000 new permanent residents, down from 485,000 in 2024.
   • Further reductions are planned for 2026 and 2027.
   • Tighter national targets translate into smaller provincial allocations and more selective PNP rounds.

Combined, these changes increase chances for workers in healthcare, trades, and manufacturing, particularly those already in PEI. International graduates from local schools also benefit because they’ve shown an ability to live and work in the province. Candidates outside priority sectors can still apply but generally face tougher odds.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests that PEI’s draw calendar, clear selection priorities, and narrowing of AIP endorsements reduce uncertainty and reward applicants who plan ahead and keep documents ready.

Practical steps for applicants and employers

For applicants:
– Keep your EOI profile complete and current. EOIs last six months.
– Update the profile whenever important changes occur (new language tests, education, or work experience).
– If you studied at UPEI, Holland College, or Collège de l’Île, ensure proof of graduation and post-graduation work details are ready.
– If working in PEI, have your job offer letter and employment confirmation available to respond quickly to an ITA.
– Express Entry candidates: keep the federal profile active and watch CRS scores. A PEI nomination adds 600 CRS points, but supporting documents must verify claims.

For employers:
– For healthcare, construction, and manufacturing, the AIP remains open but limited; the PNP is a primary route to retain staff in other sectors.
– Comply with the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act:
– Work only with licensed recruiters who do not charge fees.
– Never hold an employee’s passport or official documents.
– Use written contracts that clearly state job duties, pay, and conditions.
– Keep records that show fair recruitment and employment practices.
– Help employees by coordinating documentation, verifying job duties match National Occupational Classification codes, and keeping contact with PEI’s immigration office.

These practices protect workers, reduce legal risk for employers, and improve retention.

Next draw dates and timing advice

The next scheduled PEI PNP draws are:
– September 18, 2025
– October 16, 2025
– November 20, 2025
– December 18, 2025

If your EOI profile is about to expire, refresh it ahead of the next round. If you receive an ITA, submit a complete application quickly. Incomplete files can slow processing and lead to missed opportunities as yearly allocations fill up.

For families and applicants building long-term plans, the key messages are:
– Find a job that matches local needs and keep documents current.
– Stay present in the community—local ties improve competitiveness.
– Use post-graduation work permits and full-time offers to strengthen EOI profiles.

Candidates outside priority sectors still have options: the Labour Impact category covers more than one occupation group, and Express Entry remains available to those who meet federal rules. A strong profile with a credible job offer and evidence of ties to PEI (study, family, or verified work) increases chances.

Contact information and resources

Applicants and employers who need help can contact the PEI Office of Immigration:

• Address: 94 Euston Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 1176, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7M8
• Phone: 902-620-3628
• Fax: 902-368-5886

Staff can guide you to official instructions, confirm current priorities, and clarify steps after receiving an ITA. While processing times can shift, complete applications aligned with province priorities typically move faster.

For official timing and planning, PEI’s draw calendar remains the definitive guide: Anticipated Invitation to Apply Schedule — PEI Office of Immigration.

Key takeaways

• PEI ran its eighth PNP draw of 2025 on August 21, issuing 132 ITAs focused on Labour Impact and Express Entry.
• The province prioritizes in-province workers and local graduates, particularly in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing.
• PEI publishes a draw calendar for the remainder of 2025, helping applicants and employers plan.
• Policy changes—AIP narrowing and the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act—shape selection and protect workers.
• With federal targets reduced for 2025, PEI is being selective; those already in the province with job offers and local ties have the strongest chance.