The Prince Edward Island Office of Immigration held its latest Expression of Interest (EOI) draw on October 17, 2025, issuing 160 invitations under the Labour and Express Entry categories and none under the Business Work Permit stream. The draw results, published on the official PEI Office of Immigration website, confirm the province’s continued focus on candidates who are already contributing to PEI’s economy or are recent international graduates of local post-secondary institutions.

Key Draw Facts

• Date: October 17, 2025
• Invitations Issued: 160 (Labour & Express Entry)
• Business Work Permit Invitations: 0
• Priority Groups: Individuals working with a PEI employer and international graduates of the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and Collège de l’Île
• 2025 Totals to Date: 1,080 Labour & Express Entry, 1 Business, 1,081 Total
• Previous Draw: September 19, 2025 – 129 invitations

Context and Analysis for Practitioners

This draw continues PEI’s 2025 pattern of favouring candidates with existing ties to the province over offshore applicants. The province has repeatedly emphasized retention of workers already employed in PEI and graduates of local institutions. The official page notes that draws are targeted toward occupations and sectors with economic impact and that the Office of Immigration may limit intake or make exclusions depending on labour-market needs.

For immigration practitioners, these results confirm that clients currently residing or employed in PEI remain the most competitive for nomination under the provincial program. Offshore or entrepreneurial clients will find limited opportunities, as only one Business Work Permit invitation has been issued across all 2025 draws so far.

Implications for Practice

1. Retention-Based Selection: The province’s EOI draws are clearly designed to retain skilled workers and graduates already integrated into PEI’s workforce.
2. Employer-Linked Nominations: Practitioners advising employers should ensure job offers fall within sectors identified as having economic importance to the province.
3. Limited Entrepreneur Pathway: Business nominations remain nearly inactive, reinforcing the program’s labour-driven direction.
4. Predictable Draw Schedule: The Office of Immigration maintains transparency through a published draw table and an anticipated invitation schedule, allowing practitioners to track timing and adjust client strategies accordingly.

Takeaways

For representatives managing PEI-based clients, the October 17, 2025 draw underscores that local employment and education ties are the key drivers of selection. With 160 invitations issued and none to business applicants, PEI continues to align its nominee program closely with labour-market realities and provincial retention goals.

Practitioners should continue to monitor upcoming draws and prepare eligible candidates with verified PEI job offers or post-graduation work experience to ensure readiness for future nomination opportunities.