The PEI PNP draw on September 17, 2026, issued 195 invitations to candidates who could support Prince Edward Island’s labour market and economic priorities. This was the ninth invitation round conducted by the province in 2026.
The latest round was tied with the July draw as the largest PEI PNP invitation round of the year so far. All 195 invitations were issued through the Labour & Express Entry category. No business invitations were issued in this round.
September PEI PNP Draw Issues 195 Invitations
Prince Edward Island has been using its Expression of Interest system to select candidates according to provincial priorities, labour market requirements and available immigration allocations.
The September 17 round brought the total number of invitations issued by the PEI Office of Immigration in 2026 to 1,229. The province issued invitations in every scheduled round from January through September.
| PEI PNP draw date | Labour & Express Entry invitations |
| January 15, 2026 | 26 |
| February 19, 2026 | 109 |
| March 20, 2026 | 101 |
| April 16, 2026 | 127 |
| May 21, 2026 | 113 |
| June 18, 2026 | 182 |
| July 16, 2026 | 195 |
| August 20, 2026 | 181 |
| September 17, 2026 | 195 |
| 2026 total | 1,229 |
The September draw is therefore significant for candidates watching Provincial Nominee Program as an alternative route to Canadian permanent residence.
Who is PEI Prioritizing?
The PEI Office of Immigration states that provincial immigration pathways depend on federal allocations, application volumes and the province’s labour market needs.
Current priorities include skilled workers in higher-demand areas such as:
- Healthcare
- Trades
- Manufacturing
- Other industries experiencing labour shortages
PEI also states that people working in the sales and service sector may not receive an invitation at this time.
The province has also prioritized candidates with employment offers from PEI organizations and certain international graduates. The January 2026 draw specifically identified graduates of the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College and Collège de l’Île among the candidates prioritized.
This does not mean that every candidate working in a priority occupation will receive an invitation. The province retains discretion over the number of candidates selected and the attributes considered in each draw.
How Does the PEI Expression of Interest system Work?
An Expression of Interest, or EOI, is not an immigration application. It indicates that a candidate wants to be considered for an invitation to apply to a PEI immigration pathway.
The province assesses information in an EOI profile and can rank candidates based on factors such as:
- English or French language ability
- Education level and field
- Where education was completed
- Skills and work experience
- Strategic labour market priorities
- Employment prospects
- A PEI job offer
- Previous Canadian work experience
PEI can also limit intake or exclude certain profiles from an EOI draw based on program requirements and provincial priorities.
What Does a PEI PNP Invitation Mean?
Receiving an invitation does not automatically result in permanent residence.
An invited candidate must submit the required provincial application and supporting documents within the applicable deadline. The province then assesses the application against the requirements of the relevant immigration pathway.
If a provincial nomination is granted, the candidate may subsequently need to submit an application for permanent residence to the federal government, depending on the pathway.
Next PEI PNP Draw is Scheduled for October 15
PEI’s published 2026 anticipated invitation schedule lists October 15, November 19 and December 17 as the remaining scheduled dates. The province notes that the schedule is for general information and does not guarantee that a candidate will be selected.
EOI profiles also have a limited validity period. PEI states that profiles remain valid for six months after submission and may be considered in future draws, subject to program requirements and available spaces.
What Should PEI PNP Candidates Do Now?
Candidates should review their EOI information regularly and make sure their profile reflects their current circumstances.
Changes to employment, education, language results or other relevant information can affect how a profile is assessed. Candidates should also monitor official PEI announcements rather than relying only on previous draw patterns.
For people exploring Canada immigration, choosing between Express Entry and a Provincial Nominee Program depends on individual eligibility, work experience, education, language ability and other factors.
ImmigCanada immigration consulting services can help applicants assess their options with a certified Canadian immigration consultant, Eivy Joy Quito, before submitting an immigration application.
Prince Edward Island issued 195 Labour & Express Entry invitations in its September 17, 2026, draw.
PEI has issued 1,229 Labour & Express Entry invitations through its nine 2026 invitation rounds listed on the provincial government website.
No. An Expression of Interest is an indication that a person wants to be considered for an invitation. It is not an application for immigration.
PEI states that it is prioritizing skilled workers in areas such as healthcare, trades and manufacturing, along with other sectors experiencing labour shortages.
The next scheduled PEI invitation round is October 15, 2026. However, PEI states that its schedule does not guarantee selection or processing.
No. An invitation allows a candidate to submit an application. The application must still meet the applicable provincial and federal requirements.