Prince Edward Island Surprise Draw for International Graduates

This week, Prince Edward Island conducted an unexpected draw, deviating from its regular schedule to issue invitations to candidates under the Labour and Express Entry streams of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).

Invitations were extended to international graduates from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de l’Île who are currently residing and working in Prince Edward Island.

PEI PNP Draw Results

On October 27, 2025, Prince Edward Island held a draw under the Labour and Express Entry streams, issuing 159 invitations to eligible candidates. This draw specifically targeted international graduates with active employment in the province, showcasing strong ties to Prince Edward Island’s labor market through local study and work experience.

So far in 2025, a total of 1,240 invitations have been issued through the PEI PNP.

Processing through the PEI PNP

Similar to other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), eligible candidates through the PEI PNP initially submit their profiles through the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) pool. If selected, candidates are invited to apply for provincial nomination. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination from PEI and then proceed to apply to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR).

The entire process can span over a year, depending on processing times. Some PNP streams, like PEI’s Express Entry stream, are Express Entry-aligned, enabling nominees to benefit from expedited processing times for their PR applications.

PEI’s ITA Schedule

Prince Edward Island is distinctive among Canadian provinces for maintaining a publicly announced Invitation to Apply (ITA) schedule for its PNP draws. While subject to change based on the province’s needs, the PEI PNP’s ITA schedule offers transparency for candidates in the EOI pool. This managed approach ensures consistent processing times and aligns draw frequency with provincial labor market priorities.

The October 27, 2025 draw represents a deviation from the announced schedule, marking the second PEI PNP draw in a single month, a unique occurrence this year. The PEI Office of Immigration clarifies that the anticipated ITA schedule is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee selection or timing.