If you’re considering moving to Prince Edward Island (PEI) through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), there are some important changes to be aware of. Starting January 24, 2025, PEI will only endorse job offers in the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors. This means if you’re working in other industries, you’ll need to explore alternative pathways to permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
What Does This Mean for You?
The AIP provides a pathway to PR for foreign workers with a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces. However, with the new policy, only workers in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing are eligible for the program. If you’re employed outside of these sectors, you’ll need to look into other immigration options.
AIP Eligibility Criteria:
- Job offer from a designated PEI employer
- Language requirements (CLB 5 for most occupations)
- Work experience or a post-secondary degree from an Atlantic province
- Settlement funds for your family
If you meet these criteria and are in one of the eligible sectors, the next step is to get your job offer endorsed by the province and then apply for permanent residency through the federal government.
Alternative Pathways to Permanent Residency
If you don’t qualify for the AIP, there are other pathways to explore:
- Express Entry: If you qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class, you can apply for PR through the Express Entry system.
- PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP): This is a great option if you don’t meet AIP eligibility or have a low CRS score. The PEI PNP offers multiple streams, including Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, and Occupations in Demand, with some streams offering a boost of 600 CRS points for Express Entry.
Why the Change?
This policy shift is a result of fewer PR allocations from the federal government, with Canada reducing AIP spots to 5,000 in 2025 from 6,500 in 2024. With increasing demand and limited spaces, PEI is prioritizing workers who can fill critical roles in sectors like healthcare, construction, and manufacturing.
What’s Next for You?
If you work in one of the eligible sectors, make sure to have your job offer endorsed by PEI before applying for PR. If you’re in a different industry, you can still explore alternative pathways like the PEI PNP or Express Entry.
Stay proactive and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to maximize your chances of successfully immigrating to Prince Edward Island.
