Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Immigration Program Now Limited to Three Sectors

Prince Edward Island (PEI) recently made changes to its Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) rules. From January 24, 2025, the province will only endorse AIP applications from foreign workers in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. This means that workers in other industries can no longer pursue permanent residency in PEI through the AIP and will need to explore alternative immigration pathways.

What This Means for Employers and Workers

Employers in PEI’s healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors can continue to use the AIP to address labor shortages and secure permanent residency for qualified foreign workers. However, businesses outside these sectors must rely on other federal or provincial immigration programs to meet their workforce needs.

Foreign nationals working in industries such as retail, education, or technology can no longer use the AIP for permanent residency in PEI. Instead, they will need to explore options like Express Entry or the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Understanding the AIP

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal pathway designed to help employers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces hire skilled workers and recent graduates from Atlantic universities. Eligible applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer, meet language and education requirements, and prove they have sufficient settlement funds.

Alternative Pathways to Permanent Residence

For those not eligible under the AIP, Express Entry and the PEI PNP remain viable options. Express Entry manages applications for three federal economic immigration streams and uses a points-based system to rank candidates. A higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score increases the chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

The PEI PNP offers additional streams tailored to different skill levels and occupations. Workers can pursue categories such as Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, and International Graduate. Provincial nomination can provide either 600 CRS points for Express Entry candidates or a direct pathway to PR through non-Express Entry streams.

Reasons for the Change

PEI’s decision to limit AIP endorsements stems from increasing demand and reduced federal allocations for economic immigration. In 2025, only 5,000 AIP spots are available across all Atlantic provinces, down from 6,500 in 2024. With growing competition for fewer spaces, PEI is focusing on sectors that are most in need of workers.

This policy mirrors similar adjustments in other Atlantic provinces. For example, New Brunswick is now restricting AIP endorsements to healthcare, construction, and education sectors.

What’s Next?

Employers and workers in PEI will need to adapt to these changes. While the AIP remains a valuable pathway for select industries, those in other fields must explore alternative routes to achieve their permanent residency goals.