PEI Holds One of 2025’s Largest Draws, Inviting Skilled Workers and Graduates
PEI Inviting Skilled Workers and Graduates
Prince Edward Island has again signaled its commitment to attracting talent through its PNP, this time targeting individuals already contributing to the labor market in the province, as well as recent international graduates from accredited institutions.
Details of the October Draw
On October 17, 2025, a total of 160 ITAs were issued by PEI PNP through the Labor Impact and Express Entry streams; this is one of the largest draws this year and shows the province’s continued efforts to sustain its economic growth and satisfy its needs in the labor market.
With this draw, Prince Edward Island has now invited 1,081 candidates so far in 2025, marking steady progress in the province’s immigration targets.
- Draw date: October 17, 2025
- Program: Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Streams involved:
- Labor Impact Category
- Express Entry Category
- Total Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued: 160
- Ranking: Second-largest draw of 2025
- Cumulative ITAs in 2025 (as of Oct 26): 1,081
- Targeted candidates:
- Individuals already living and working in PEI
- Skilled workers in priority sectors
- International graduates from:
- University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
- Holland College
- Collège de l’Île
- Priority sectors for 2025:
- Healthcare
- Trades
- Manufacturing
- Selection focus: Candidates contributing to PEI’s economic growth and filling skill shortages
- Lower priority sectors: Sales and service occupations
- Selection method: Expression of Interest (EOI) system
- Eligibility factors considered:
- Language proficiency (English/French)
- Education and field of study
- Work experience and job offers
- Alignment with PEI’s labour market needs
- Canadian or PEI work/study experience
New Brunswick Continues Momentum with Multi-Stream Immigration Draws
While Newfoundland and Labrador unveiled a new selection process, New Brunswick continued its active use of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) with a series of occupation-focused draws between April 6 and April 12.
Targeted Candidates
This round particularly focused on:
- Workers who are already living and working in PEI in in-demand occupations
- International graduates from:
- University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
- Holland College
- Collège de l'Île
The province continues to focus on retaining talents that can contribute to the key sectors and address skill shortages.
Priority Sectors for 2025
Current priorities for selection in PEI reflect labor market needs. Key sectors include:
- Healthcare
- Skilled trades
- Manufacturing
By contrast, sales and service occupations are not considered a priority because of labor market strategies and limited nomination spaces.
How Candidates Are Selected
PEI has an Expression of Interest system for managing its provincial nominations. Interested candidates create a profile indicating their preferred stream and qualifications. Once in the pool, candidates are ranked based on:
- Language skills in either English or French
- Level and field of education
- Work experience and skill relevance
- Alignment with PEI's labor priorities
- Job offers or prior Canadian experience
Successful candidates receive an Invitation to Apply for provincial nomination, bringing them a step closer to Canadian permanent residency.
Why This Draw Matters
The latest draw underlines PEI’s strategy of prioritizing candidates who are already integrated into the province’s workforce.
While focusing on skilled workers and international graduates, PEI hopes to strengthen its economy at the same time it provides pathways for permanent residency to those contributing locally.
As PEI continues its 2025 draws, individuals in high-demand occupations are encouraged to keep their EOI profiles updated in order to have the best chance of being selected.
What This Means for Potential Applicants
For individuals looking to immigrate to Canada through provincial pathways, these updates underline the importance of:
- Aligning with in-demand occupations.
- Securing job offers in participating provinces.
- Staying informed on changing eligibility systems like the new EOI portal.
Applicants are encouraged to assess their qualifications and monitor provincial nominee program (PNP) updates regularly, as provinces are increasingly tailoring their selection processes to address economic and demographic priorities.
Backlog over The Past six Months
For a broader perspective, here is the trajectory of the backlog over the past six months:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | Change Relative to Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 1,097,000 | +1.73% |
| October 2024 | 1,056,100 | -3.73% |
| November 2024 | 1,006,500 | -4.70% |
| December 2024 | 942,300 | -6.38% |
| January 2025 | 892,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
With a total of 2,029,400 applications in its inventory, IRCC has successfully processed 1,208,200 applications within its service standards, demonstrating a firm commitment to efficiency.
Conclusion
With more draws to come later this year, PEI’s continued focus is likely to rest on candidates with skills that meet immediate labor needs in the province.
Skilled professionals, tradespeople, and graduates from recognized institutions remain at the top of the list of selections, which reflects how PEI links immigration to economic priorities.
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