As of January 24, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) has restricted its Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) to foreign workers in the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors. This change aims to address increased demand for immigration and a reduction in federal allocations for permanent residency spots. In 2025, the federal government reduced AIP allocations across Atlantic provinces to 5,000 spots, down from 6,500 in 2024, as outlined in Canada’s 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan.
Eligibility for the AIP
To qualify for the AIP, applicants must:
- – Possess a job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
- – Have their job offer endorsed by the province.
- – Hold at least a one-year post-secondary credential for NOC TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or a high school diploma for NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4 occupations.
- – Demonstrate language proficiency of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations, or CLB 4 for TEER 4 occupations.
- – Have a minimum of one year of work experience, or have completed a two-year post-secondary credential while studying in an Atlantic province.
- – Possess sufficient settlement funds, determined by family size.
Application Process for PR through the AIP
Eligible candidates should:
Obtain a settlement plan.
Secure endorsement of their job offer by the province.
Apply to the federal government for permanent residency.
The employer typically manages the job offer endorsement process. Given the recent sector restrictions, individuals outside the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing industries must explore alternative PR pathways.
Alternative Permanent Residency Pathways
For those not eligible under the current AIP criteria, alternative pathways include:
Express Entry: A federal system managing applications for permanent residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates are ranked based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. A higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score increases the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): This program offers various streams, including:
– Critical Worker Stream: For workers in NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations.
– Intermediate Experience Stream: For workers in NOC TEER 4 occupations.
- – International Graduate Stream: For graduates from PEI post-secondary institutions.
- – Skilled Worker Stream: For workers in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
- – Occupations in Demand Stream: For specific occupations such as nurse aides, transport truck drivers, construction laborers, and others.
Each stream has specific requirements related to job offers, work experience, education, language proficiency, and settlement funds.
The PEI Office of Immigration implemented these sector-specific limitations due to increased demand for the AIP and a reduction in immigration allocations by the federal government. The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan indicates a decrease in AIP spots from 6,500 in 2024 to 5,000 in 2025. Consequently, PEI aims to allocate its AIP spots to sectors experiencing the most significant labor shortages. Other Atlantic provinces have enacted similar measures; for instance, New Brunswick now endorses AIP job offers exclusively in the healthcare, education, and construction sectors.
These adjustments underscore PEI’s commitment to addressing critical labor market needs while adapting to evolving immigration policies.
