Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program:

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

Under the Agreement for Canada-Prince Edward Island Co-operation on Immigration, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP) is a Federal-Provincial partnership between the Province of Prince Edward Island, represented by Island Investment Development Inc. (IIDI), and the Government of Canada, represented by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program expedites immigration to Canada for individuals and their families who meet provincial criteria in support of the following initiatives:

• Increased business and economic development
  
• Increased supply of skilled workers
  
• Increased population
  
• Achievement of provincial demographic, social and cultural objectives

The purpose of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program is to select individuals who appear to be suitable for immigration to Prince Edward Island. While it is important that the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program process be transparent to all parties, applicants must also understand that it is Prince Edward Island’s right and responsibility to select applicants who appear to fit the province’s unique economy and culture.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program’s decision is made only after reviewing the application forms and all supporting documents to determine whether the applicant has an appropriate personal and family history and the capacity to integrate into the local community, based on a combination of education, age, language, experience and adaptability.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program is a shared responsibility, whereby the Province recruits, selects and nominates qualified immigrant applicants, with the Federal government completing security and health background checks and giving final approval. The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program is equivalent to an “immigrant class”; therefore, Prince Edward Island rules apply, rather than those relating to the familiar Canadian immigrant classes.

At this time, there are four categories under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program. You are encouraged to read about the individual categories to understand which suits your skills and ability to qualify as a potential immigrant applicant under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.

The four categories under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program are as follows:

• Immigrant Partner Category – A principal applicant who proposes to make an investment in an existing Prince Edward Island company and to take an active role in that company as a director or senior manager.
  
• Immigrant Entrepreneur Category – A principal applicant who proposes to establish a viable, new business in Prince Edward Island.
  
• Immigrant Connections Category – A principal applicant suggested by a Prince Edward Island based “champion” who meets settlement and employability criteria.
  
• Skilled Worker Category – A principal applicant with specialized skills and experience who fills a labour market need in Prince Edward Island.

 

Immigrant Partner Criteria Detail

Business Ownership

If a Principal Applicant is self-employed they must provide:

• Business registration documents
  
• Business’ tax records for each year the business is in operation for the most current five-year period.
  
• Work contracts, if applicable
  
• Provide evidence of transferrable business management experience, such as resume, or equivalent, clearly showing duties and responsibility number of staff supervised, number of years in position, training and recruitment roles; financial responsibilities, budget allocation and decision making, etc.
  
• Provide an executive summary of the company that the principal applicant is currently working for including but not limited to, what the company is, products and/or services offered, organizational structure, annual revenues of the company, annual revenues for the operation managed by the applicant.
  

Children’s Information

• Children’s birth certificates, which name their parents
  
• Adoption papers for adopted dependent children
  
• Proof of custody for children under the age of 18 and proof that the children may be removed from the jurisdiction of the court
  
• If the children will not accompany you to Canada, proof that you have fulfilled any obligation stated in custody agreements
  
• Poof of continuous full-time studies of all dependent children aged 22 or over, including:
  • Complete school records/transcripts since attaining age 22
  • Letters from the schools indicating the number of hours of classes attended per day, and the number of days attended per week
  • Proof of full financial support by parents since reaching age 22

Education

A minimum education requirement of grade 12 is required. High school graduation certificate will be required as well as other post secondary educational degrees, diplomas, certificates and professional licenses or certificates. Official transcripts showing school(s) attended, courses taken and duration of program(s) will also be required. Applicants are required to submit documentation for the highest level of education obtained. (Example: If applicant has a university degree, high school documents would not be required.)


Employment

Original letters of reference for work experience within the past 10 years for the principal applicant.

• Each letter must include:
  
  • Specific period of employment with the company (start and end dates)
  • Position(s) held, and time spent in each position
  • List of tasks/duties and main responsibilities in each position
  • Provide an executive summary of the company that the principal applicant is currently working for including but not limited to, what the company is, products and/or services offered, organizational structure, annual revenues of the company, annual revenues for the operation managed by the applicant.
  • Signature of an authorized representative of the company (name and title), where possible.
    
    

OR

Self-employed must provide:

• Business registration documents
  
• Business’ tax records for each year the business is in operation for the most current five-year period.
  
• Work contracts, if applicable
  
• Provide evidence of transferrable business management experience, such as resume, or equivalent, clearly showing duties and responsibility number of staff supervised, number of years in position, training and recruitment roles; financial responsibilities, budget allocation and decision making, etc.
  
• Provide an executive summary of the company that the principal applicant is currently working for including but not limited to, what the company is, products and/or services offered, organizational structure, annual revenues of the company, annual revenues for the operation managed by the applicant.
  

AND

Management Criteria

• Provide evidence of transferrable business management experience, such as resume, or equivalent, clearly showing duties and responsibility number of staff supervised, number of years in position, training and recruitment roles; financial responsibilities, budget allocation and decision making, etc.
  
• Provide an executive summary of the company that the principal applicant is currently working for including but not limited to, what the company is, products and/or services offered, organizational structure, annual revenues of the company, annual revenues for the operation managed by the applicant.

Good Faith Deposit

In applying to immigrate to Canada under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program, the applicant certifies the intention of settling in Prince Edward Island.

As evidence of good faith, the Province of Prince Edward Island requires the principal applicant to pay a $25,000.00 Canadian dollar deposit which is fully refundable, without interest, one year after landing provided that the Immigrant Partner can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Province that:

• The Immigrant Partner is active in the investee company as a director or senior management employee; and
  
• The Immigrant Partner and his/her family maintain a residence in Prince Edward Island. Evidence that the Immigrant Partner is active in the investee company as a director or senior management employee will take the form of a declaration to this effect by the Chair of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the investee company, and the Immigrant Partner.

Evidence that a residence is maintained in Prince Edward Island may include:

• A pre-arranged visit to establish that the dwelling is owned/leased and occupied by the immigrant family;
  
• Local employment;
  
• Utility bills; rental receipts; property tax records;
  
• Registration of any children at a local school or daycare facility;
  
• Community corroboration and so forth.
  

Identity/Status Information

• Current photo for principal applicant, spouse and dependents (clear copies of photo)
  
• Birth certificate for principal applicant and spouse
  
• Marriage certificate
  
• Death certificate (of former spouse if applicable)
  
• Divorce certificate or proof of separation
  
• South Korea – Family Census Register
  
• China – Household Register

Language

All documents, if not in English or French, must include a notarized translation.

Application and interviews will be accepted/conducted in English or French. If the principal applicant does not have English or French then the application may still be accepted.

Principal applicants without English or French must make a $20,000.00 Canadian dollar Language Deposit and agree to study English and/or French. The Language Deposit is fully refundable one (1) year after official landing date in Canada; providing the principal applicant has met the following conditions for refund:

• Attained a certificate stating the principal applicant has an attained minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark of Level 3, in all four skills, speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The certificate and testing must be done at an accredited facility on Prince Edward Island.
  
• Maintained a residence in Prince Edward Island for a minimum period of one (1) year. Copies of rental agreement, property tax, utility bills, school registration and community involvement, bank statements, letter from an employer, are some of the documents that may be requested.
  

If the principal applicant is unable to fulfill the requirements, the deposit will be forfeited.

Moderate Proficiency (Stage I - CLB Levels 3-4)

The range of abilities needed to communicate in common and predictable settings to meet basic needs and to carry out everyday activity. A curriculum aligned to the Benchmarks and targeting the language proficiencies of stage 1 learners would focus on topics of immediate personal relevance.

• Speaking:
  
  • You can communicate with some confidence on familiar topics, can communicate facts and ideas in some detail, and demonstrate a range of everyday vocabulary.
    
• Listening:
  
  • You can follow main ideas, identify key words and important details in face to face formal and informal conversations, can understand a range of common vocabulary and can understand questions that are based on common experience and general knowledge.
    
• Reading:
  
  • You can follow main ideas, key words and important details in a short text using plain language, can read printed or legible hand written notes, memos, or letters and can get new information about familiar topics from reading factual texts.
    
• Writing:
  
  • You can effectively convey familiar information in standard formats, can write a one or two paragraph composition, and can reproduce information received orally or visually.
    

Net Worth

Please be advised that the Schedule 6 form must be a complete and current statement of the total personal net worth of both the principal applicant and spouse. All assets and liabilities must be disclosed.

We require supporting documents as evidence to verify $400,000.00 net worth as per Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program guidelines.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Office reserves the right to request full supporting documentation to confirm or verify source of and/or accumulation of funds.

Listed below are the requirements for the different types of assets.

• Bank accounts: Bank statements and transaction records for the most current 6 month period.
  
• Fixed term deposits: A 6 month detailed transaction statement from financial institution confirming amount, ownership, value, date of deposit and date of maturity.
  
• Property: Our office will only accept a title deed for proof of ownership along with a valid, current property appraisal to confirm value of the property. Please note title deed is the only document we will accept as proof of property ownership, no exceptions.
  
• Please ensure when listing properties on the Schedule 6 that they are listed for easy matching of documentation, referencing the property/plot number as shown on deed. Property must be owned solely by principal applicant and/or spouse.
  
• Stocks and Other Investments: Provide a notarized investment summary detailing the number of shares held, adjusted cost base (original cost) and current market value supported by a copy of the share certificate. Based on the availability of the information requested above, Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee office reserves the right to request additional documentation, if applicable.
  
• Business: The principal applicant and spouse must disclose all business ownership. T This section must be completed, ensuring the business' name; % owned; current book value and current estimated market value.
  
  • If using the business to meet the net worth requirement the principal applicant must provide the most recent audited financial statements and notarized/certified translation.
    
  • 70 30 30 Rule
    
    • Assets belonging to a business may be considered as personal assets, for the purpose of this application, according to the following rule: The applicant, or the applicant and spouse in combination must own a minimum of 70% or the equity in the business(s);
      
    • No more than 30% of net corporate assets may be considered as personal net worth; and
      
    • No more than 30% of the $400,000.00 personal net worth requirement, or $120,000.00, may consist of corporate net assets as per this rule.
      
• Pensions and Other assets: Pension, insurance and other funds held by third parties are not accepted unless unambiguous evidence is provided to indicate the specific amount available on a specific date, along with a clear, written statement from the agency holding the funds that the funds may be cashed or otherwise realized on that date.
  
• Private loans and/or gifts will not be accepted.
  
• Liabilities and Other personal debts: All liabilities must be disclosed and current supporting documentation is required.
  

Passport/Travel Documents

Passport and/or travel documents for principal applicant, spouse and dependent children with copy showing the passport number, date of issue, expiration, photo, name, date and place of birth.


Proof of Relationship in Canada

Proof of relationship to any close relative in Canada, such as birth, marriage or adoption certificates and proof of that person’s status in Canada; photocopy of the Permanent Resident Card, or proof of Canadian citizenship such as photocopy of pages of Canadian Passport or Canadian Citizenship Card.

Prince Edward Island is seeking entrepreneurs with the skills and drive - and the marketable concepts - to be successful in PEI’s unique environment. If you have the strengths and experience, applying to the PEI Nominee Program in the Immigrant Entrepreneur category is a good choice: if your business concept matches our strengths, PEI wants you - and wants you to be successful. And that can make a big difference.

What PEI Offers to Prospective Entrepreneurs:

• An educated, skilled workforce with good work ethic and low turnover;
  
• A market of 2 million people in Atlantic Canada, with 300 million more North Americans within reach;
  
• A strong core of businesses and institutions supporting bio-science, aerospace, information and communication technologies and other sectors;
  
• Exceptional agricultural and ocean resources;
  
• Approximately 1 million tourist visitors each year and a great tourist product with yet undeveloped Asian markets;
  
• Strong cultural industries, with many artists, musicians, writers;
  
• Access to the North American Free Trade zone;
  
• Close proximity to New York, Boston and Toronto;
  
• Affordable labour and housing costs;
  
• World class technological infrastructure;
  
• Overlapping time zones with Europe and Asia;
  
• Responsive government;
  
• The opportunity, through the Immigrant Connections category, to bring the skilled and special people you need to make your venture successful.

 

 Immigrant Entrepreneur Criteria

1. A minimum net worth of $400,000.
   
2. Willingness to invest a minimum of$200,000 to establish a new enterprise (or to purchase no less than 33% of an existing business).
   
3. A business plan or ”Business Capacity” document to demonstrate that the Immigrant Entrepreneur has the capacity to establish a successful business in the Prince Edward Island business environment.
   
4. Payment of a $100,000 business investment deposit, which is held in escrow and returned to the applicant after one year’s residency and the establishment of the business;
   
5. Immigrant Entrepreneurs are also required to place $25,000 in escrow with the Government of PEI as a good faith deposit. This deposit also gets returned after applicant has resided for one year in PEI.
   
6. Immigrant Entrepreneurs (Partners) whose capacity in English or French is insufficient to be interviewed in that language are required to place $20,000 in escrow with the Government of PEI. This language deposit will be returned, should the applicant demonstrate moderate language skills, in English or French, after arrival in PEI.
   
7. A combination of age, education, language skills and transferrable management skills. The ideal candidate to the PEI PNP is/has:
   • less than 55 years of age;
     
   • a minimum 14 years of education, including one (or more) post-secondary certificates or degrees;
     
   • capable of being interviewed in English or French;
     
   • has several years of management (or, preferably, business ownership) experience in a sector with relevance to the PEI economy.
   
   
8. PEI will accept applicants who are not yet able to speak English or French - some of our finest applicants fall into this category - but, lack of skills in one of these languages must be offset by strengths in education or transferrable management skills. Similarly, exceptional transferrable management skills may offset a lack of post-secondary education.

    

Applicant Fees

Immigrant Entrepreneurs are required to submit an application fee of $2,500 with their application.

Starting Your Business

Immigrant Entrepreneurs are required to establish or purchase a business in PEI within two years of receiving permanent residency status. The business may be in any legal sector, and does not necessarily, have to be that indicated in the Business Capacity document, however, the Immigrant Entrepreneur is encouraged to meet a Provincial Nominee Program Officer to discuss the proposed activity to help ensure the business success and the return of the $100,000 escrow deposit.

Business Planning Documentation

The Business Plan or the alternative (at application) “Business Capacity” document are critical to the application under the Immigrant Entrepreneur Program. A Business Plan will be required, and may be provided with the application or subsequently, but in any case must be provided prior to establishing the business and no more than 2 years after permanent residency is received. A Business Plan is required even where an existing business is to be purchased in order to clarify to the Provincial Government the intended economic benefits of the purchase.

The “Business Capacity” document is accepted with the application, in lieu of a business plan, in recognition of the challenge of providing a quality business plan when one is unfamiliar with the market. The document allows the Province to judge whether you have the capacity to establish a successful business, to provide a reasonable standard of living for you and your family. It is, therefore, a statement of capacity and intent, and will be closely scrutinized as part of the application review process.

The document must use the following format. Each section should be no less than 500 words (it is the clarity and vision presented in the document that counts, not the number of words, but applicants will not be accepted where the document suggests a cursory or casual approach). Document sections must include:

1. Business Experience:

   The applicant’s (and spouse’s if relevant) personal business experience, including years experience, description of positions and duties, business ownership experience, international trade experience; past annual revenues generated and profitability. Identify specific areas of business strength or advantage.

    

2. Markets:

   Products and services with which the applicant (and spouse if relevant) have expertise, and whether those products and services may have relevance to the PEI business environment. Describe any business activities currently active, which may be directly transferrable to PEI, or any markets you have developed which could be accessed from PEI.

    

3. Capacity:

   Describe the areas of activity you will explore to identify the most effective business opportunity to suit your experience and skills. Outline the potential investment you plan or intend to make in a PEI business.

    

Immigrant Entrepreneur Investment

Immigrant entrepreneurs must be prepared to make a minimum business investment of $200,000 to establish a new enterprise. The Business Plan or “Business Capacity” document and $100,000 are to be submitted along with the PNP application. Once the business is established this $100,000 will be returned to the applicant. (For more information refer to "PEI-NP-08 Escrow Agreement").

Business investment refers to investment required to finance the assets and operations of the new enterprise and may include:

i) start-up costs and early cash flow deficiencies, financed by cash, demand deposits and other liquid assets, held in a business account with a recognized financial institution on PEI, such as a chartered bank, trust company, credit union or brokerage;
ii) inventories and accounts receivable associated with the business start;
iii) licenses, franchises, trade names and other intangible assets necessary to establish/operate the business and purchased from third parties, at arm's length;
iv) machinery, fixtures, tools and other equipment, excluding passenger vehicles;
v) real estate, excluding residential real estate, recreational property, raw land for future development or real estate to be leased primarily to third parties, whether for business or residential uses;
vi) leasehold improvements to leased business premises.

Eligible Business Activity

Active business, refers to a business, which generates revenues by selling goods and/or services at arm's length to third parties and excludes investment holding companies, real estate rental operations, loan/investment companies and other non-active investment. Where there is doubt about the eligibility of a proposed business venture, provide the details to a Program Officer in advance.

Where professional credentials or licenses to practice are required to establish or operate the business on PEI, the immigrant entrepreneur will be required to demonstrate, as part of the business plan, that he/she has met, or can reasonably be expected to meet, the conditions precedent to start-up. Contact the Program Officer for advice and assistance.

Evidence of Investment in an Eligible Enterprise

The requirements to be met will provide evidence that the business activity has been initiated, and that the applicant is actively involved in business management. Evidence will be determined on a case by case basis, depending upon the nature of the proposed business assets and operations, following approval of the business plan. Please consult the Provincial Nominee Office.

Escrow Agreement

This Agreement sets out the terms and conditions of the Immigrant Entrepreneur’s application for permanent residency under this category. Immigrant Entrepreneurs must sign, date and submit two copies of the Escrow Agreement, with their Prince Edward Island PNP application. Along with this Agreement, the applicant shall also submit, to IIDI, the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000 Cdn), payable to Island Investment Development Inc., to be held by IIDI in escrow on the terms set forth herein, and the Applicant shall also, prior to nomination, provide evidence of the availability of an additional $100,000 Canadian, to initiate a new Prince Edward Island based business. The $100,000 will be returned to the Applicant, without interest, provided he/she has abided by the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement.

Good Faith Deposit

In applying to immigrate to Canada under the PEI Nominee Program, the applicant certifies the intention of settling in PEI. As evidence of good faith, the Province requires that the applicant will place, in trust, with the Government of PEI a $25,000 performance deposit, which is fully refundable, without interest, one year after landing provided that the immigrant entrepreneur can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Province that:

i) the business is fully operational, selling goods and/or services at arm's length to unrelated third parties; and
ii) the immigrant entrepreneur and his/her family maintain a residence on PEI.

Evidence that a business is fully operational may include, for example:

• a visit to the business premises;
  
• an examination of the books and records of the enterprise
• examination of financial statements, independently prepared/reviewed by an independent chartered accountant or certified general accountant
• tax returns to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency or the Provincial Treasury;
• or other corroboration.

   

Evidence that a residence is maintained in PEI may include, for example:

• a pre-arranged visit to establish that the dwelling is owned/leased and occupied by the immigrant family;
• local employment;
• utility bills;
• rental receipts;
• property tax records;
• registration of any children at a local school or daycare facility;
• community corroboration and so forth.

   

Costs which may be associated with establishing ( i.) and ( ii.) as required by the Province, are for the account of the immigrant entrepreneur.

Where the immigrant entrepreneur is unable to establish that the criteria cited under ( i.) and ( ii.) have been met to the satisfaction of the Province, the deposit of $25,000 will be forfeited.

It is a serious offence under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations to falsify any documentation to be used by an immigrant to achieve permanent resident status as a nominee or otherwise.

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

• be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident who has lived in 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 required to pay an application fee of $250.00 to the Provincial Nominee Program.

 

 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.

 

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program =>