PEI Wraps Up 2025 Draws as BC Issues Entrepreneur Invitations

Canada’s Provincial Immigration Round-Up: PEI Wraps Up 2025 Draws as BC Issues Entrepreneur Invitations

As Canada moves toward the end of 2025, provincial immigration programs continue to play a critical role in shaping permanent residence opportunities. Two provinces – Prince Edward Island (PEI) and British Columbia (BC) – have released important updates through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), highlighting where provincial priorities stand as the country prepares for 2026.

While PEI appears to have closed the chapter on its 2025 invitation rounds, British Columbia continues to selectively invite entrepreneurs, reinforcing its focus on business-driven immigration.

Also Read Canada’s Provinces Close 2025 with Targeted Immigration Moves: PEI Issues Final Draw, BC Selects Entrepreneurs

Prince Edward Island Holds Likely Final PNP Draw of 2025

Prince Edward Island conducted what is widely expected to be its final PNP draw of 2025 on December 15, 2025, issuing 166 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination.

PEI PNP – December 15, 2025 Draw Overview

• Total invitations issued: 166
  
• Streams invited:
  
  • PEI Express Entry
    
  • Labour Impact Category
    
• Targeted candidates:
  
  • Skilled workers currently employed in PEI
    
  • International graduates from PEI-designated institutions
    
• CRS cutoff: Not applicable / Not announced
  

PEI’s PNP does not use the federal Express Entry CRS score as a public cutoff. Instead, selections are made through the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system, where candidates are ranked based on multiple human capital and employment-related factors.

Top Stories

• New Brunswick Restarts Draws While Manitoba Targets Skilled Workers at Home and Abroad
• PEI Wraps Up 2025 Draws as BC Issues Entrepreneur Invitations
• Canada Shuts Two Key Immigration Pathways
• BC Sets the Pace by Confirming Its 2026 PNP Quota as Immigration Planning Shifts
• Canada’s Express Entry Pool Shrinks as Invitation Surge Clears High CRS Scores

Strong Preference for In-Province Workers and Graduates

The December draw continued a consistent pattern seen throughout 2025. PEI has increasingly prioritised candidates who already have strong ties to the province, particularly:

• Workers employed by PEI-based employers
  
• Graduated from institutions such as the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de l’Île
  

In fact, nearly two-thirds of PEI’s draws in 2025 focused on candidates living, working, or studying within the province – clearly signalling that local labour market integration is now central to PEI’s nomination strategy.

PEI PNP 2025 Snapshot

• Total draws held in 2025: 13
  
• Total invitations issued: 1,596
  
• Primary focus: Labour-based and employer-linked streams
  
• CRS cutoff: Not disclosed (EOI-based system)
  

If PEI follows its usual annual schedule, this December draw officially concludes its invitation activity for the year.

What PEI Candidates Should Expect in 2026

Looking ahead, PEI has indicated that selection in 2026 will continue to rely heavily on:

• Active EOI profiles
  
• Language proficiency
  
• Education level
  
• Work experience in high-demand sectors such as healthcare and skilled trades
  
• Verified employment connections within the province
  

Candidates without provincial job offers or local experience may find PEI’s PNP increasingly competitive.

British Columbia Issues Targeted Entrepreneur Invitations

Just one day later, on December 16, 2025, the BC Provincial Nominee Program conducted a targeted Entrepreneur Immigration draw, focusing exclusively on business candidates.

BC PNP Entrepreneur Draw – December 16, 2025

• Total invitations issued: Up to 21
  
• Streams included:
  
  • Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream
    
  • Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream
    
• CRS cutoff: Not applicable
  
• Minimum score: Not publicly disclosed
  

Unlike skilled worker streams, BC’s Entrepreneur Immigration pathway does not operate under the federal CRS system. Instead, candidates are assessed using a business and economic impact scoring model, which is not always released publicly.

Related Stories

• New Brunswick Restarts Draws While Manitoba Targets Skilled Workers at Home and Abroad
• PEI Wraps Up 2025 Draws as BC Issues Entrepreneur Invitations
• BC Sets the Pace by Confirming Its 2026 PNP Quota as Immigration Planning Shifts
• IRCC Issues Another PNP-Only Express Entry Draw in December
• British Columbia Reopens Skills Immigration Selections with Targeted December Draw

Quality Over Quantity in BC’s Entrepreneur Program

Although the number of invitations was limited, this round ranked among BC’s larger entrepreneur-focused draws in 2025. The province continues to prioritise:

• Viable business proposals
  
• Job creation for Canadians and permanent residents
  
• Investment in smaller or regional communities
  

Successful candidates are expected to actively establish or purchase businesses that contribute directly to British Columbia’s local economies.

BC’s Nomination Capacity Nears Full Utilisation

Despite earlier federal nomination reductions in 2025, British Columbia managed to recover much of its allocation. By year-end, the province is expected to fully utilise its 6,214 nomination spaces, demonstrating continued demand across both skilled worker and entrepreneur categories.

Key Takeaway for PR Applicants

As 2025 comes to a close, one trend is unmistakable: provincial programs are becoming more selective and more strategic.

• PEI is favouring job-ready workers and graduates already contributing to the local economy
  
• British Columbia is carefully selecting entrepreneurs with strong business potential rather than issuing high-volume invitations
  

For candidates planning their Canada PR journey in 2026, provincial nomination remains a powerful pathway—but success now depends heavily on local connections, employer support, and targeted profiles.