PEI prioritizes international graduates in the first PNP draw, i.e., on January 15, 2025, Prince Edward Island held its first selection round of 2026 under its planned Invitation to Apply (ITA) schedule.

The province focused on candidates who already had ties to PEI, with special priority given to international student graduates from selected designated learning institutions (DLIs).

Draw Results

This week, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) issued a total of 26 ITAs to people living in the province through two immigration categories:

Note: The Labour Impact category includes the Skilled Worker Stream, Critical Worker Stream, and International Graduate Stream.

This draw mainly targeted people who were living and working in Prince Edward Island in key sectors and occupations that have a high “economic impact.” Moreover, the province’s priority sectors for 2026 remain the same as in 2025: healthcare, trades, and manufacturing.

Among these candidates, international student graduates from the following DLIs were given extra priority:

  • University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
  • Holland College
  • Collège de l’Île

Many of Prince Edward Island’s draws in 2025 followed the same selection pattern. This shows that the province is likely to continue using similar criteria throughout 2026.

For comparison: In 2025, the PEI PNP’s first draw of the year issued 22 invitations to people working or holding confirmed job offers in PEI’s healthcare sector.

When Will Prince Edward Island’s Next Draws Occur?

If the province follows its expected ITA schedule, the next three draws are likely to take place on February 19, March 19, and April 16.

However, these dates are not guaranteed. Moreover, the province states that these dates are only estimates and provided for general information. Draws may happen earlier, later, or in addition to these dates.

There is still a strong chance that Prince Edward Island will follow its listed dates, as it did for eight out of 11 draws in 2025.

How To Be Considered For Prince Edward Island’s Next Draw?

To be considered for an ITA, foreign nationals must first create an account on Prince Edward Island’s official immigration website and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The province uses its EOI system to identify and rank applicants who are most likely to support the local economy and labour market. Profiles are scored using several factors, including:

  • Language: Ability in English or French
  • Education: Level of education, area of study, and place of study
  • Skills and work experience: Experience in high-demand industries and roles
  • Strategic priorities: How closely the profile matches PEI’s current labour needs
  • Employment prospects: Factors such as a valid job offer in PEI and previous work experience in Canada.

Applicants who receive higher EOI scores and show strong potential to settle in the province are more likely to receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.

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