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PEI Updates Designated Employer List for Atlantic Immigration Program
Prince Edward Island has refreshed its roster of designated employers under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), adding 20 new businesses while removing 14 others from the previous list.
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
For foreign nationals pursuing permanent residency through the Atlantic Immigration Program pathway, securing employment with a designated employer remains a critical requirement. With this latest update, PEI now boasts 364 approved employers participating in the program.
New Additions to the Designated Employer List
The province’s May 15th update introduces several new employers, with particular emphasis on businesses operating within PEI’s current high-demand sectors (highlighted in bold):
100367 PEI Inc. (operating as The Pilot House restaurant and bar)
100542 PEI Inc. (operating as FastSigns, offering custom signage and graphic solutions)
9892788 Canada Inc. (operating as Stay Golden Customs, specializing in merchandising and branding)
ALG (PEI) Management Ltd
Blackbush Beach Resort
Cardigan Bearing And Steel Ltd.
CBI Island Health Centre Inc.
Highfield Construction Company Ltd.
Jeremy & Joel Holdings Inc.
KY Home Solutions Inc.
Larkin Bros Inc.
Majhail Construction Ltd.
Maritime Industrial Services 2022 Inc
Nabuurs Gardens Ltd.
Oyster Creek Farms Inc.
PEI Lube Limited
Precision G&T Engineering
SpryPoint Services Inc
Tethys Aquaculture Canada, Inc.
TopGum Canada Ltd.
Employers No Longer on the Designated List
The following businesses have been removed from PEI’s designated employer roster:
Island Abbey Food Science Ltd.
Pivot Drive Inc.
Silver Fox Entertainment Complex
Taco Boyz Inc.
Taco Boyz II Inc.
Whisperwood Villa Inc.
Willscott Farm Ltd.
Wilmac Construction Inc.
WM&M (1993) Ltd.
Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island
Worklinks Inc.
XPY Union Ltd.
Yumi Sushi Inc.
Z&C Flourish International Ltd.
Important Notes for Prospective Applicants
The complete updated employer list can be accessed through PEI’s official website. However, potential applicants should note that inclusion on this list doesn’t necessarily indicate current hiring activity at these businesses.
Current Limitations on Applications
Due to high application volumes and reduced federal allocation numbers for 2025, PEI is currently prioritizing applications from workers in high-demand sectors only:
Healthcare
Construction
Manufacturing
Applications from workers outside these priority sectors will not receive provincial endorsement at this time.
IRCC Extends Invitations to Increased Number of PNP Candidates through Express Entry
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, bringing exciting news for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 725 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been extended to PNP candidates. Eligibility for this draw required candidates to possess a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 667. Additionally, applicants needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 6:25 pm Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on June 5, 2024.
This recent invitation marks the inaugural draw of March, following an active February for Canada’s Express Entry system. In February alone, IRCC issued over 11,000 ITAs, reflecting a strong focus on candidates with ties to specific provinces or French language proficiency. Draws in 2025 have predominantly targeted candidates in the PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), with only one draw specifically for other categories so far.
Here is a brief summary of the Express Entry draws in 2025:
March 3: PNP Draw, 725 ITAs, CRS cut-off 667
February 19: French Language Proficiency, 6,500 ITAs, CRS cut-off 428
February 17: PNP Draw, 646 ITAs, CRS cut-off 750
February 5: CEC, 4,000 ITAs, CRS cut-off 521
February 4: PNP Draw, 455 ITAs, CRS cut-off 802
January 23: CEC, 4,000 ITAs, CRS cut-off 527
January 8: CEC, 1,350 ITAs, CRS cut-off 542
January 7: PNP Draw, 471 ITAs, CRS cut-off 793
If you receive an ITA and decide to apply for permanent residency, there are essential documents you need to include. These consist of a valid passport, birth certificate, valid language test results, proof of work experience, and police clearance certificates for all places you’ve lived for more than six months since age 18. Additional documents may be required depending on the specific program you’re applying under. These could include educational credential assessments, letters from Canadian employers, proof of family relationships in Canada, proof of settlement funds, and various legal documents.
In conclusion, Canada’s Express Entry system continues to offer exciting opportunities for potential immigrants, particularly for those with provincial nominations or Canadian experience. If you’re considering applying for Canadian immigration, stay informed with the latest updates and requirements to maximize your success.
Major Changes Announced to Canada’s Express Entry Program
Major Changes Announced to Canada’s Express Entry Program Immigration Update – March 2025 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled significant changes to the Express Entry categories for 2025. The announcement, made on February 27, introduces a new category while removing another from the program.
What’s New in 2025? New Category Added: Education The Education category joins the Express Entry system with five eligible occupations:
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers Secondary school teachers Early childhood educators and assistants Instructors of persons with disabilities Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
Category Removed: Transport The Transport category has been completely removed from the category-based draws. Priority Categories for 2025 IRCC has designated four categories that will receive priority for Invitations to Apply (ITAs):
French-language proficiency Healthcare and Social service occupations Trades occupations Education occupations
While the Agriculture/agri-food and STEM categories remain part of the Express Entry system, they will not be prioritized for ITAs in 2025. Significant Occupation Changes Across Categories All remaining categories have undergone substantial revisions to their eligible occupations:
Category
Occupations Added
Occupations Removed
Healthcare and Social Services
8
6
STEM
6
19
Trades
19
4
Agriculture and Agri-food
2
2
Healthcare and Social Services Updates Notable Additions:
Pharmacists Social workers Social and community service workers Teachers Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Key Removals:
Educational counsellors Kinesiologists Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners
STEM Category Overhaul The STEM category saw the most significant changes with 19 occupations removed, including software engineers, computer systems managers, and architects. Only 6 new occupations were added, including mechanical engineers and insurance agents/brokers. Trades Expansion The Trades category has been substantially expanded with 19 new occupations, including cooks, construction managers, roofers, and various specialized technical trades. What This Means For Applicants If you’re considering applying through Express Entry, you’ll want to check if your occupation has been added, removed, or prioritized under these new changes. The shift toward Education and expanded Healthcare and Trades categories signals Canada’s evolving immigration priorities for the coming year. For a personalized assessment of how these changes affect your immigration prospects, we recommend consulting with an immigration professional.
Manitoba and Prince Edward Island Open Applications for Provincial Nominations
Exciting developments in Canadian immigration as both Manitoba and Prince Edward Island have recently issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through their Provincial Nominations. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) focused on candidates possessing advanced educational credentials and individuals who had directly received invitations. Meanwhile, Prince Edward Island conducted its second draw of 2025, honing in on candidates based within PEI and graduates from specific universities and colleges. Here’s a detailed look at the outcomes of these provincial draws.
Manitoba PNP: February 14-21
On February 20, the MPNP conducted draws under two distinct streams. The International Education stream issued 19 ITAs to applicants who met specific criteria, including holding a master’s degree or higher, and having a Manitoba supporter who is either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident residing in Manitoba for over a year. In the Skilled Workers Overseas stream, the MPNP invited 22 applicants who had been directly approached through a strategic recruitment initiative. The minimum score among those invited was 711, resulting in a total of 41 Letters of Advice to Apply, with seven participants declaring a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code.
Summary:
International Education Stream: 19 ITAs, specific eligibility criteria
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream: 22 ITAs, minimum score of 711
Prince Edward Island PNP: February 14-21
Simultaneously, on February 20, the PEI PNP held a draw focusing on candidates through the Labour Impact and Express Entry pathways. A total of 87 ITAs were granted to applicants employed in significant economic sectors within PEI, and who have been residing and working in the province for a minimum of one year. Graduates from recognized institutions such as the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de l’Île were given priority.
Summary:
Labour Impact/Express Entry: 87 ITAs, focused on economic growth sectors
Conclusion
The recent draws by Manitoba and Prince Edward Island demonstrate the provinces’ commitment to strategically selecting candidates who can contribute to their economic and community development. These initiatives highlight the importance of possessing advanced education and having a connection to the respective provinces. For those interested in applying through PNPs, understanding the specific criteria and maintaining a strong profile is crucial. Stay informed on the latest immigration updates and see if you qualify for enhanced PNP programs to boost your chances of receiving an ITA. For personalized guidance and assistance with navigating the Canadian immigration landscape, consider reaching out to a professional immigration consultant.
IRCC Issues Invitations to 6,500 Express Entry Candidates in French Category-Based Draw of 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its latest round of invitations to apply (ITAs) via the Express Entry system, focusing on candidates with French language proficiency. A total of 6,500 invitations were distributed to applicants who had achieved a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 428 and had submitted their Express Entry profiles before 4:41 pm UTC on February 10, 2025.
This draw marks the fourth ITA event by IRCC this February, following two rounds targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates and one for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. The month of February alone has seen a total of 11,601 ITAs issued, as IRCC works towards its immigration goals laid out in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. This plan places special emphasis on categories such as CEC and PNP, aiming for an “In-Canada Focus” that allocates 82,890 landings for these groups in 2025.
It’s crucial to distinguish between ITAs and landings. An ITA allows a candidate from the Express Entry pool to submit their application for permanent residency; a landing occurs when they arrive in Canada for the first time on a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
To enhance their chances of receiving an ITA, Express Entry candidates can take several measures to boost their CRS scores. Options include securing a provincial nomination, which instantly adds 600 CRS points, or improving language scores, potentially bringing up to 310 points when combined with other factors. Candidates also have the option to leverage their spouse or partner’s qualifications, pursue additional educational credentials, or accumulate further work experience to uplift their scores.
Conclusion: Understanding these strategies is vital for candidates aspiring to make Canada their new home. As IRCC continues to execute its immigration strategies through various targeted draws, it’s important for aspiring immigrants to remain updated and prepare their profiles accordingly. For more personalized guidance on navigating the Canadian immigration landscape, consider connecting with Canadian immigration consultants who can provide tailored advice and assistance.
