Do you want to migrate and own a business in aerospace, bioscience, renewable energy or the information technology sectors? If yes, consider Canada’s Prince Edward Island’s new Provincial Nominee Program for would-be immigrants.
New Provincial Nominee Program
The provincial government recently introduced the new PNP guidelines that include a Business Impact Category with three streams and a Labour Impact Category (LIC) with four streams. Two of the LIC are new – an International Student Stream for recent graduates of Canadian universities, which is self-explanatory, and a Critical Worker Stream, which will allow employers to bring in people who are in the so-called lower-skilled categories but are needed in the province. This is a test program for now.
Essentially, the PNP programme allows a provincial government to nominate qualified foreigners who want to move to Canada. The program will be limited to people who meet all federal immigration requirements, and have demonstrated a commitment to settling in Prince Edward Island as active employees or owners in Island businesses.
The government plans to publish the results of the new PNP every year.
The three streams of Business Impact Category
100% Ownership Stream:
This is for foreigners who want to own 100% of a business through the purchase of an existing one, or through starting one in the province.
Partial Ownership Stream:
As it indicates, this is for those who want to be partners of a business. The applicant has to buy a 33 1/3% stake, or invest at least one million dollars in the business and be involved in the day-to-day management of it.
These two replace the old provincial immigration investor programs which were suspended for reported lack of enthusiasm in terms of applications, and for misuse of the program. See earlier posting on Canadian Province Suspends Immigrant Program.
Work Permit Stream:
This allows those selected to move to the province to work and learn about the business in which they plan to invest.
The four streams of Labour Impact Category
Skilled Worker Stream:
This is for provincial employers who want to hire someone from abroad. Those who possess the skills and qualifications under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level O, A or B can apply provided they obtained their post-secondary degree/diploma and experience in the intended profession.
Critical Worker Stream:
This program is for those who come under lower-skilled categories because of a labour shortage in the province.
International Graduate Stream:
This is an ‘employer-driven’ program and allows employers to hire a recent graduate from a recognized accredited Canadian university or college. The applicant must have a full-time job offer in their field of study under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B. The applicant must have a valid post graduation work permit with the provincial employer and should have worked for at least six months before applying for nomination.
Family Connection Stream:
This is for PEI residents, who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, to sponsor close relatives. The system is quite liberal in that it allows a vast range of family members to be sponsored: son/daughter, step daughter/son, sister/brother, step sister/brother, sister-in-law/brother-in-law, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, grandchild or first cousin. The applicant should have a job, or should prove he or she can contribute economically once in Canada.
For detailed information on the PNP program, visit the provincial site at www.gov.pe.ca/immigration
A Little About the PEI
This is one of the four Atlantic provinces in the east coast, and is the smallest of the Canadian provinces. It is separated from the mainland by the Northumberland Strait, and had close to 150,000 people.
The province is witnessing ever more immigrants/visitors from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Related articles
- Canada’s 2010 Immigration Highest in 50 Years (smartcanadian.ca)
- Revamped PNP returns (cbc.ca)
- P.E.I. gets new immigrant program (cbc.ca)
