Immigration

Immigrant Connections Category - September 1, 2006

As of September 1, 2006 the Connections Program will be restricted to Family only. The Friends category is under review, all Friends files received by August 31, 2006 will be reviewed under current format.

The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Provincial Nominee Office, welcomes Canadian citizens and Permanent residents, who have established themselves in PEI to tell us who their “Connections” are, who they would like PEI to nominate.

Islanders understand that nothing replaces family, and we also realize through immigration there is a sense of dislocation and loss when the “family connections” are broken and the distance makes it difficult, to see family as often as one would like. We invite you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Prince Edward Islanders understand that life is enriched when living in the presence of a close circle of family. In the good times, these are the people we socialize with and in the challenging times, these are the people we call on.

Islanders also understand that these close bonds are part of the reason Prince Edward Island is the best place in the world to live. Islanders are friendly people, and as immigrants come to stay in PEI, they will be drawn into more than one of these circles, finding friends and groups of friends, who will provide a welcoming social environment and much-needed support.

We appreciate the fact that you have been making a valuable contribution to our community, and with more of your “connections” living here, you would continue to Live Work and Play in PEI.
We invite you to nominate a close family member, to join you in living on PEI.

Immigrant “Connections” Category Provincial Nominees

There is qualifying criteria, for the “Champions”, the people who can make such a recommendation, as well as who can be nominated, but in principle, we are looking for people and families, who you believe can earn a living on PEI , and who will make a long term, meaningful commitment to your life and to the broader community.

This is an honour-based program. Champions are not required to sign a formal agreement or provide a financial guarantee.

Champions simply commit to make the arrangement work, to the best of their ability. We believe that you will make it work, because it is your close family connections, that are reuniting, .

Family Connections Eligible family to nominate or sponsor includes:

mother or father
daughter or son
brother or sister
niece or nephew
aunt or uncle
grandchild
grandfather or grandmother
first cousin or
step relative or in-law of the same level

Qualifying Criteria for Champions

“Champions” eligible to nominate “Connections” to PEI require the following

Canadian citizen or
a Permanent Resident who has lived on Prince Edward Island for more than two years
have a regular source of income sufficient for their needs and their dependents
have a generally unblemished personal history.
Testimonials from other PEI residents or evidence of volunteer work or community service are beneficial but not essential.

The Champion will make an informal, but written commitment, that they will take every possible action to ensure that the nominee is integrated into the Prince Edward Island community.

Qualifying Criteria for Nominees

The following criteria apply to the Connections Nominee:

must prove they are among the eligible family members and can prove the relationship to the Champion
Unless an older parent, the individual must have an offer of employment or, in the view of the Province, have a clearly identified capacity to work on PEI.
The intent to live on Prince Edward Island
The individual and dependent family is in good health.
The individual and dependent family does not have a criminal record.

Process

Filling out the necessary forms and providing the necessary documents is up to the Champion and the applicant.
When complete, to the best ability of the Champion, a PNP Program Officer and the Champion will review the paperwork together for any missing information.
All decisions to nominate are the responsibility of the PEI Nominee Office; the decision made by the Nominee Office will be final.
After PEI has nominated, the file is sent by the applicant to the appropriate Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) consulate.
CIC then reviews the files and the necessary medical and security checks are completed. Although unusual, it is possible for the nominee to be refused by the Embassy at this stage.
Although not always the case, it should be assumed that the immigrant will be required to go for an interview at the Canadian Embassy in the country of origin.
Should the nominee be living on PEI after nomination, before Permanent Residency is granted, the PNP Program Officer will write a letter of support for a work permit.

Applicant Fees

Immigrant Connections applicants are not required to pay an application fee to the Provincial Nominee Program.