The PEI Critical Worker stream is a designated program for foreign workers who are currently working in PEI and wish to apply for permanent residency. The program requires a low language requirement in comparison with other ones, and focuses on physical general labors in NOC C and D.

Applicant requirements

To be eligible to apply for the PEI Critical Worker stream, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Have a full-time long-term (i.e permanent or at least two-year) job offer from a PEI employer in an intermediate-skilled position, defined by the National Occupation Code (NOC) skill level C or D;
• have worked a minimum of six months full-time for the PEI employer;
• have a valid work permit and legal status in Canada;
• possess a minimum education of secondary school diploma;
• be between the ages of 18 and 59;
• have at least two years of full‐time work experience in the past five years;
• provide a language test with a minimum CLB/NCLC 4 score from an IRCC authorized testing center within the past two years;
• Have sufficient financial resources for applicant and family to cover all immigration costs (including travel expenses) in order to establish in PEI, and; 
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in PEI.

Changes for Trucking Sector Employees: Effective 19 August 2021, any applicants nominated or applying under any Provincial Immigration program under NOC 7511 must have at least 12 months of long haul truck driving experience and a job offer from an eligible PEI employer. 

How to apply? 

You and your representative must create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest System. You will be able to complete your profile once your account has been verified. Each applicant can only have one active profile which remains active for a period of six months. 

The information in your profile must be correct and verifiable. It can be updated if your situation changes before being invited to apply. If the change occurred after you are invited to apply, you must notify the PEI Immigration Office.

If you are invited to apply, you will receive an email notification with your file number and instructions for submitting your application. An application form is mandated to submit. Your employer’s form must be filled out by the employer himself.

Please be advised that an Expression of Interest is not an application. It only indicates your interest in applying to the PEI Workforce Category. The PEI Immigration Office has the right to limit the number of people who apply or make exclusions from Expressions of Interest draws. 

Application fee

Creating an Expression of Interest profile is free of charge. There is a non-refundable fee of $300 CAD if you are selected to apply for nomination by PEI. Mastercard, Visa, Mastercard debit and Visa debit are all accepted. Payment will be requested at the time of submission of the Workforce Application Form. Application will only be accepted with proof of payment. 

Application forms 

You must fill out all of the following forms: 

• PEIW-03: PEI Workforce Use of Representative Form

In addition, your employer must also fill out the form below: 

• PEIW-02: PEI Workforce Job Offer Form

After nominated, applicants must

You must submit your Application for Permanent Residency to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) along with your nomination certificate after receiving a nomination. Then, the IRCC will assess your application for admissibility factors. You can check processing time on the IRCC website. 

If your circumstances change, such as your family status, employment, or contact information, etc., you must immediately tell the Office of Immigration. Until you achieve Permanent Residency status, you must work for only one employer. If any changes occur after nomination, you must promptly contact the Office of Immigration and the IRCC.