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Second Surprise PEI Immigration Draw Brings Expanded Eligibility Criteria
Prince Edward Island has conducted its second unexpected Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draw of the year, stepping outside its planned monthly Invitation to Apply (ITA) schedule. Alongside the surprise draw, the province also widened its selection approach by considering candidates with fewer established ties to PEI than seen in recent rounds.
Draw details
The unscheduled draw took place on December 23, with the PEI PNP issuing 13 invitations through the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams. Candidates were selected based on their employment in occupations and priority sectors believed to contribute positively to the province’s economy.
This draw marks a shift from the province’s recent invitation strategy. Over the previous six rounds, dating back to July, PEI primarily focused on candidates who were graduates of specific PEI-based Designated Learning Institutions or individuals already working for PEI employers at the time of invitation.
Throughout the year, the majority of the 1,609 invitations issued under the PEI PNP have been through the Labour Impact and Express Entry pathways. Only one invitation was issued under the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur stream.
Second deviation from the planned schedule
This draw represents the second time this year that PEI has departed from its anticipated ITA schedule, which typically outlines one draw per month. The first surprise round was held on October 27.
While the province has not provided an official explanation for these additional draws, provincial immigration programs often face pressure to fully utilize their annual nomination allocations. Any unused nomination spaces generally cannot be carried forward into the following year.
How nomination allocations work
Canada’s federal government determines annual immigration targets through its Immigration Levels Plan, setting overall figures for provincial nominations. Each province then receives a specific allocation based on these national targets.
These allocations define how many newcomers a province can nominate in a year, while ITAs determine how many candidates can be invited to apply for nomination. It is important to note that not all invitations result in a successful nomination.
In 2025, provincial nomination allocations across Canada were reduced by approximately half, aligning with lower permanent resident admission targets outlined in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. However, allocation levels for 2026 show a significant increase, providing provinces with greater capacity in the coming year.