PEI Invites 254 Candidates in October 2026 Immigration Draws

Introduction

Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, has invited a total of 254 candidates to apply for provincial nomination through two immigration draws held on October 7 and October 16, 2026.

Interestingly, the province held an additional draw on October 7, even though only one draw was originally planned for October. Both rounds focused on workers whose skills and experience could help meet the province’s labour market needs.

Moreover, graduates from selected post-secondary institutions in PEI were given priority consideration. Therefore, these draws may be particularly relevant to eligible workers and international graduates looking to settle in Prince Edward Island.

October 2026 PEI Immigration Draw Results

First, let’s look at the details of both selection rounds.

Draw date	Invitations issued	Immigration streams
October 7, 2026	90	Labour Impact and PEI Express Entry
October 16, 2026	164	Labour Impact and PEI Express Entry
Total	254

Together, these two draws issued 254 invitations to candidates who may now proceed with the provincial nomination application process.

However, PEI has not published the exact number of invitations issued under each immigration stream or the specific occupations of the invited candidates.

Which Candidates Received Priority Consideration?

Along with targeting workers in economically important occupations, PEI gave priority consideration to graduates from three educational institutions within the province.

These institutions are:

• University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
• Holland College
• Collège de l’Île

This means that graduates from these institutions received priority consideration during the selection process.

Nevertheless, graduating from one of these institutions does not automatically guarantee an invitation. Candidates must still meet the applicable program requirements and selection criteria.

Which Industries Are a Priority for PEI Immigration?

Next, it is important to understand which industries the province is focusing on.

According to PEI’s published selection priorities, the province is particularly interested in skilled workers who can help address labour shortages in key sectors, including:

• Healthcare
• Skilled trades
• Manufacturing
• Other key industries facing labour shortages

In other words, PEI is focusing on workers whose skills can support the province’s economic needs.

However, the province has not disclosed the exact occupations or the number of candidates selected from each industry in these October draws.

What Are the PEI PNP Immigration Streams?

Both October draws issued invitations through two immigration pathways under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).

A. Labour Impact Category (Base Stream)

First, the Labour Impact Category is designed for eligible workers and international graduates who meet the requirements of the relevant stream.

It includes three streams:

• Skilled Worker
• Critical Worker
• International Graduate

Therefore, candidates with eligible work experience or qualifications may wish to review the requirements for the stream that best matches their circumstances.

B. PEI Express Entry (Enhanced Stream)

Similarly, the PEI Express Entry stream is connected to Canada’s federal Express Entry system.

Eligible candidates may be considered for provincial nomination through this pathway, subject to the program’s requirements.

Importantly, the base and enhanced pathways operate differently, so candidates should check which route applies to their profile before proceeding.

What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?

If you receive an invitation from PEI, the next step is to apply for provincial nomination.

According to the source, invited candidates have up to 30 days to submit their provincial nomination application.

The process generally involves the following steps:

Step 1: Receive an invitation

PEI invites selected candidates to apply for provincial nomination.

Step 2: Submit your application

Next, you must submit the required documents and application within the specified deadline.

Step 3: Receive provincial nomination

If PEI approves your application, you may receive a provincial nomination.

Step 4: Apply for permanent residence

After receiving the nomination, you can proceed with the federal permanent residence application process, provided you meet the applicable requirements.

However, receiving an invitation does not guarantee nomination, and a provincial nomination does not by itself guarantee permanent residence approval.

Can Provincial Nominees Apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit?

Another important point concerns candidates who are already in Canada.

Some eligible provincial nominees who have submitted their permanent residence applications may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

A BOWP can help eligible applicants continue working in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed.

Furthermore, the source highlights a temporary measure that took effect on June 9, 2026. Under this measure, certain eligible applicants applying through a base Provincial Nominee Program pathway from within Canada may be exempt from the usual requirement to have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) before applying for a BOWP.

An AOR is a confirmation that the federal government has received an application.

However, this exemption applies only to eligible applicants. Therefore, candidates should check the current IRCC requirements before applying for a work permit.

When Will the Next PEI Immigration Draw Take Place?

Looking ahead, PEI’s published schedule lists two more selection rounds for 2026:

• November 19, 2026
• December 17, 2026

However, the province has stated that the schedule may change.

October was particularly notable because PEI conducted two selection rounds instead of the single round originally planned. The October 7 draw was unscheduled, while the October 16 draw took place one day after the originally published date.

Despite this change, PEI has generally followed its published schedule. According to the source, eight of the province’s 11 draws in 2026 took place on their originally scheduled dates.

PEI PNP: Immigration Draws in 2026 So Far

With the October selections completed, PEI has conducted 11 immigration draws in 2026, issuing a total of 1,483 invitations to apply.

These selections demonstrate the province’s continued focus on attracting workers who can contribute to its economy and help address labour shortages.

Nevertheless, candidates should remember that immigration draws are competitive, and selection priorities may change according to the province’s needs.

Conclusion

To sum up, Prince Edward Island invited 254 candidates through its October 7 and October 16, 2026 immigration draws. The selections focused on workers in priority occupations and industries, while graduates from three local post-secondary institutions received priority consideration.

For candidates interested in settling in PEI, the next step is to understand the eligibility requirements of the relevant immigration stream and keep track of upcoming selection rounds.

If you are planning to apply through the PEI PNP, review your eligibility, prepare your documents, and follow official provincial immigration updates to stay informed about future opportunities.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).