The former PEI investor program has changed drastically since the provincial government decided to scrap the old program in favor of a more stable process that connects legitimate, motivated applicants to the province.
Currently, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) has been altered to provide different paths to permanent residency for immigrants entering the province to conduct business. Similar to the previous PEI investor program, the Business Impact Category within the PEI PNP gives foreign nationals a chance to become permanent residents of Canada and PEI by investing in the economic development of the province and the nation as a whole through business and investor immigration.
Different Categories of PEI Immigration
The provincial nominee program for Prince Edward Island has been streamlined into separate categories, each dedicated to a specific path for immigration into the province. The Labour Impact Category deals with attracting skilled workers and vital talent required for PEI business and institutions to grow and prosper, involving skilled worker, critical worker and international graduate streams.
The Canadian Express Entry program expedites the connection between business and skilled labor without formally applying to enter, resulting in another pathway to Canada.
Analogous to the PEI investor program, the Business Impact Category provides business owners and those working to create business in the province with the ability to earn permanent residency. Similar to the labour impact stream, the business impact program is divided into three categories.
The work permit process gives people the ability to arrive and work on developing their business in the province.
The partial ownership process details immigration to the province for those who own a significant part of a large business, boosting investment in PEI. Requirements for the full ownership program differ from the partial ownership stream.
In the end, the biggest factor when successfully applying to this program is the amount of money you’re willing to invest in the creation of new business within the province.
Requirements for the Full Ownership Stream
PEI’s office of immigration website states that they seek, “interested business persons who can demonstrate vision, leadership and determination to contribute to the Prince Edward Island economy.”
As such, they list the minimum requirements for those interested in applying to the 100% ownership stream:
- Provide all necessary supporting documentation and paperwork for federal and provincial authorities.
- Have a minimum net worth of $600,000 that’s been verified as legal and legitimate income.
- Have a high-school diploma or equivalent along with required business experience.
- Be between the age of 21 and 59 with a minimum IELTS band score of 4.0 over the last two years.
- Present an acceptable business plan along with a $200,000 escrow agreement with the province and a minimum of $150,000 CDN investment into the province.
- Plan to be an active part of managing the business while living in the province.
Requirements for the Partial Ownership Stream
The requirements for the partial ownership stream are similar to the full ownership stream with a few key exceptions. Since you’re not applying as a full owner, you need to meet a minimum investment ratio. All applicants have to own at least 33.3% of a business, with the same minimum contribution of $150,000.
However, for large, multi-million dollar business ventures, the required 33.3% ratio for ownership doesn’t apply as long as you meet all the other prerequisites. However, the minimum investment in this case rises to $1,000,000 instead of $150,000, which still allows investment to flow into the province.
