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Professional & Skilled Worker Category


Working in Prince Edward Island



Workers, Wanted


The Prince Edward Island economy provides a variety of employment opportunities. Although Prince Edward Island has an unemployment rate of just over 10%, fully half of the unemployment relates to individuals who participate in traditional, seasonal industries, such as fishing, farming, forestry and tourism. The other half - just over 5% of the Island’s unemployment - relates to permanent employment in manufacturing, retail and the services sector. Unemployment at that level is not sufficient to provide the necessary workers required for the full economic spectrum.


Prince Edward Island is home to a small work force and, as such, labour market gaps are often a reality. The Skilled Worker Category of the Provincial Nominee Program(PNP) is designed to help resolve labour shortages - and allow fortunate applicants and their families to enjoy the richness of life in PEI.


Prince Edward Island provides employment opportunities for an increasing number of skilled individuals. In particular, there are currently openings for workers in aerospace, information technologies and bioscience, among others. See “Skilled Labour Shortages” for specific job listings. The Government of Prince Edward Island provides the skills shortage list, as an information tool for prospective immigrants to assess the likelihood of their securing paid employment in a particular occupation. PEI’s work force is quite small and, as such, labour market gaps may appear and disappear relatively quickly. The inclusion of a particular occupation in the skills shortage data base is no assurance that employment can readily be obtained.


If you are a Professional or skilled worker interested in working in Prince Edward Island you must find employment by yourself. Once you have identified a job in a business or company to whom you might apply; contact the prospective employer, after receiving an offer for a position, the company will initiate the process of acquiring a work permit.


Immigration: The Application Process and Forms

Application Fee & Process Skilled Worker's Section

  • Skilled Worker applicants no application fee
  • Skilled Worker-Self Employed applicants: fee is $500 to be included with the application.



You must have a Work Permit to work in Canada. (Work Permit Application Form)


A work permit does not allow you to immigrate to Canada. You may qualify to become a permanent resident based on your work skills, education and experience, or apply for your Permanent Resident Visa once you are working in Canada. (Immigrating to Canada as a Skilled Worker)


To work temporarily in Canada you must have a work permit,


Once you are issued the Temporary Work Visa, you can begin work.

The Worker's Role.


A Work Permit may not be required under special circumstances; to see if you qualify follow this link Jobs Exempt from Work Permit Requirement.


Skilled Worker Program Nominee Criteria


  1. A score in the vicinity of 50 on our Self Assessment form, (PEI NP 01) - we recommend after completing the Self Assessment, the candidate undergo a credentials assessment as education and training requirements may need to be upgraded. Assessments for Designated Trades


  2. Education and training consistent with the position offered - having your credentials assessed to Canadian standards for regulated occupations, (Regulated Industries in Canada) is strongly recommended as education and training requirements can differ greatly from country to country.

    Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada for more information.


    The PEI Newcomers Association also has information on this issue, and other services to help people get settled on PEI. info@peianc.com


    You will find additonal links below under Foreign Credential Recognition for Professionals and trades.


  3. A bona fide offer of employment from a local employer - Once you have a bona fide offer of employment from a local employer, please complete the Pre Assessment Form (PEI NP 02) and submit it to this office for review. A bona fide offer of paid employment, at prevailing market rates, from a PEI employer is a requirement for our Provincial Nominee Program. The job must be in your field of study and/or experience, and the employer must be able to prove they have been unable to fill the position after advertising both provincially and nationally. Please note, you may be asked to visit PEI for a pre-employment interview.


  4. A moderate command of English, and/or French language if required for the position.


  5. The intention to settle in Prince Edward Island - At the request of the company, the PEI PNP Office will support issuance of a temporary work permit (from Citizenship and Immigration Canada) to allow the prospective immigrant to accept employment and to assess whether the applicant and their family will be able to settle successfully in PEI.


The Government of Prince Edward Island does not provide assistance to find employment opportunities.
However, we have listed electronic options to assist you in your search for employment, and that will enable you to contact employers or post your resume, and other helpful information.


Click on these links to reach the area you want:



Process - Employer Driven


If you are a business with a position that cannot be filled from the local labour pool, foreign workers can be an essential part of a company's business strategy. Foreign workers can fill labour shortages in Prince Edward Island and bring new skills and knowledge to help the economy grow.


If you are interested in employing a foreign skilled worker you are advised to contact Service Canada at (902) 626-2710 or on the web site Hiring Foreign Workers and The Employer's Role.


Most skilled worker shortages are identified by employers. When an employer can prove they have not had success filling a position, they may request a Labour Market Opinion from Service Canada, to confirm a skill shortage.


Where the Opinion is positive, Service Canada will write to Citizenship and Immigration Canada; the employer issues a letter of offer and the applicant applies for a Work Permit, to the closest Canadian Embassy or Consulate, with a copy of the job offer attached.


HIRING STEPS:


In almost all cases, foreign workers must have a valid work permit to work in Canada. When hiring a foreign worker, you, the employer must generally:


  1. Submit an HRSDC Foreign Worker Application for a labour market opinion (LMO) to the HRSDC Foreign Worker office responsible for your area. Before confirming a job offer, HRSDC considers whether:

    • The job offer is genuine;
    • The wages and working conditions are comparable to those offered to Canadians working in the occupation;
    • Employers conducted reasonable efforts to hire or train Canadians for the job;
    • The foreign worker is filling a labour shortage;
    • The employment of the foreign worker will directly create new job opportunities or help retain jobs for Canadians;
    • The foreign worker will transfer new skills and knowledge to Canadians; and
    • The hiring of the foreign worker will not affect a labour disputes or the employment of any Canadian worker involved in such a dispute.


  2. Once HRSDC approves the job offer, send a copy of the HRSDC LMO confirmation letter to the foreign worker.


  3. Inform the foreign worker to apply for a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Next, CIC decides whether the foreign worker will get a work permit according to the requirements to work and reside temporarily in Canada.


  4. When the Work Permit is received the individual may begin work.


Learn more about the HRSDC LMO assessment criteria.


SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), there are special cases when employers do not need an HRSDC labour market opinion to hire a foreign worker, and/or the foreign worker may not need, a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) work permit. To see if you qualify for an exemption, click here Exemption categories.


If an unfavourable Labour Market Opinion is received for the position which you are unable to fill, the Provincial Nominee office can nominate the individual (on receipt of the necessary application forms) and may send a letter of support for the work permit to Citizenship and Immigration. If at any time you, the company, require further information, contact the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Office, phone: (902)-894-0351 or e-mail: peinominee@gov.pe.ca


Immigration Return


Job Market Information Return


Regulated Occupations in Canada Return


Job Search & Registries On-Line Return

This section, offers connections to the Tech Job registry, PEI Business Directory, Government of PEI jobs in Health and other areas; the Job Bank of PEI is a current listing from various employers with openings and opportunities to promote yourself and send your resume.

Follow the Prince Edward Island Main page under, EMPLOYMENT (work on PEI). This connection will also give you more links to gain a full prospective of our beautiful Island.



  • National Job Bank - PEI The National Job bank shows jobs advertised across Canada and for each Province.


  • Through the PEI Business Directory and PEI Job Futures links you can search by job sector or job title and you will find links to the required education and credentials and Who Hires for that particular occupation, including details how to contact the prospective employer.


    Other Links Return


    Professional Occupations Information and Connections Return


    Foreign Credential Recognition Information


    Professional Occupations Return




    Other Occupations Return



    Trade Occupations - Information and Connections Return


    Foreign Credential Recognition Information
    Construction, Industrial, Automotive, & Service Trades Return

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