If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through a provincial nominee program, Prince Edward Island just gave you something none of the other provinces will: certainty.
On January 7, 2026, PEI published its complete invitation schedule for the year—all 12 planned immigration draws, with specific dates. While other provinces keep you guessing about when they’ll issue invitations, PEI is basically handing you a roadmap.
This might seem like a small thing, but if you’ve been refreshing government websites hoping to catch a draw announcement, you know exactly how valuable this transparency is.
Let me break down what PEI’s releasing, what it means for your application, and the dates you absolutely need to mark on your calendar.
PEI’s Complete 2026 Immigration Draw Schedule
Here’s what everyone’s been waiting for—the full list of when Prince Edward Island plans to conduct its Expression of Interest (EOI) draws this year:
Draw 1: January 15, 2026
Draw 2: February 19, 2026
Draw 3: March 19, 2026
Draw 4: April 16, 2026
Draw 5: May 21, 2026
Draw 6: June 18, 2026
Draw 7: July 16, 2026
Draw 8: August 20, 2026
Draw 9: September 17, 2026
Draw 10: October 15, 2026
Draw 11: November 19, 2026
Draw 12: December 17, 2026
The pattern is pretty clear: PEI’s planning one draw per month, typically scheduled around mid-month. If you’re sitting on an Expression of Interest profile, you now know exactly when to expect results.
But before you set these dates in stone, there’s something important you need to understand.
These Dates Aren’t Guarantees (And That’s Actually Good News)
PEI’s being upfront about this: the schedule is for “general informational purposes only.” Translation? They might move dates around, skip a draw, or—and this is where it gets interesting—hold surprise bonus draws.
Before you think that’s frustrating, consider what happened in 2025.
Last year, PEI scheduled 11 draws. They ended up holding 14. Three of those were unscheduled “surprise draws”—one in January, one in October, and one in December.
For candidates, that meant three extra chances to get invited that weren’t even on the calendar. That’s the upside of PEI’s flexibility.
So while you should absolutely plan around these 12 scheduled dates, keep your profile active and ready at all times. You never know when PEI might throw in a bonus round.
Why PEI Is the Only Province Doing This
I’ve been following Canadian immigration for years, and PEI’s transparency here is genuinely unique.
Ontario? British Columbia? Alberta? They announce draws after they happen. You find out you missed an invitation opportunity only after it’s already passed. There’s no planning involved—you just sit in the pool and hope.
PEI’s approach is different. By publishing these dates, they’re giving candidates the ability to:
- Plan when to submit their EOI profile for maximum impact
- Keep their documents current ahead of known draw dates
- Budget and prepare for potential invitations
- Reduce the anxiety of not knowing when opportunities will arise
It’s a small gesture that makes a huge difference if you’re the one waiting for an invitation.
What You Need to Know About PEI’s EOI System
If you’re considering the PEI Provincial Nominee Program, here’s the critical detail that trips people up: your Expression of Interest profile only stays active for six months.
Most other provinces give you a full year. PEI gives you six months from the date you submit.
This matters because if your profile expires, you’re out of the running. You’ll need to create a brand new EOI profile to get back in the pool. And depending on when that happens, you could miss multiple draws.
PEI’s advice is straightforward: submit your EOI as soon as you meet the requirements for your chosen stream. Don’t wait for a “perfect” score or the “right” moment. Get in the pool and stay in the pool.
Also, keep your profile updated constantly. Changed jobs? Update it. Got new work experience? Update it. Improved your language scores? Update it immediately.
The last thing you want is to get selected in a draw only to realize your information is outdated or your profile has expired.
How PEI Actually Chooses Who Gets Invited
Not every draw is the same, and PEI isn’t inviting candidates randomly.
The number of invitations and who gets selected depends on three main factors:
1. PEI’s annual nomination allocation
The federal government gives each province a set number of provincial nominee slots per year. Once PEI hits that number, the draws stop—regardless of what the schedule says.
2. Labour market needs
If PEI needs healthcare workers in March but construction workers in July, the draw criteria will shift accordingly.
3. Priority sectors and occupations
Certain industries get preferential treatment. In 2025, those were healthcare, trades, and manufacturing. PEI hasn’t announced its 2026 priorities yet, but expect similar focus areas.
The takeaway? Having a high EOI score matters, but working in a priority occupation matters more. If you’re a healthcare worker or skilled tradesperson, your odds of getting invited are significantly better than someone in a non-priority field—even if their score is higher.
A Look Back at 2025: What Actually Happened
Numbers tell a story, and PEI’s 2025 numbers are worth paying attention to.
Over 14 draws (11 scheduled + 3 surprise), the province issued 1,609 invitations to apply.
Here’s where those invitations went:
- Labour Impact Category: The overwhelming majority
- PEI Express Entry Category: Most of the rest
- Business Impact Category (Work Permit Stream): Exactly one invitation
If you’re applying through the business stream, those odds should give you pause. Nearly every invitation went to workers—either those already employed in PEI or Express Entry candidates with connections to the province.
PEI also heavily favored:
- People working in priority sectors
- International graduates from PEI’s designated learning institutions
If you graduated from a PEI college or university, you’re in a strong position. If you’re working in healthcare, trades, or manufacturing in PEI, even better.
Did PEI Stick to Its 2025 Schedule?
Mostly, yes. Of the 11 scheduled draws in 2025, PEI held eight of them on the exact posted date.
That’s a 73% accuracy rate—which honestly isn’t bad for a government program. Three dates got shifted, but the draws still happened. And then PEI threw in three bonus draws on top of that.
This suggests the 2026 schedule should be fairly reliable, with the understanding that dates might shift by a few days here and there.
What We Don’t Know Yet (But Should Watch For)
PEI hasn’t announced its priority sectors for 2026 yet.
Last year it was healthcare, trades, and manufacturing. There’s a good chance those continue—Canada has a well-documented shortage in all three areas, and PEI’s no exception.
But watch for updates. If PEI adds or changes priority sectors, it could dramatically shift your chances of getting invited.
Also keep an eye on the number of invitations per draw. In 2025, PEI issued 1,609 total ITAs across 14 draws—an average of about 115 per draw. If that number drops significantly in 2026, competition gets tighter.
Should You Apply to PEI or Another Province?
PEI’s not the biggest province, and its PNP isn’t the largest program. But it has some real advantages:
Transparency: You know when draws are happening. That’s huge.
Smaller pool: Fewer applicants than Ontario or BC means less competition.
Targeted draws: If you’re in a priority occupation, your chances are good.
Faster processing (generally): Provincial programs vary, but PEI’s reputation for reasonable timelines is solid.
The tradeoffs?
Smaller job market: PEI’s economy is limited compared to Toronto or Vancouver.
Six-month EOI validity: You need to be more vigilant than in provinces with one-year validity.
Fewer draws than some provinces: 12 scheduled draws means 12 chances. Some provinces run draws weekly.
If you’re willing to live in PEI long-term, value transparency, and work in a priority sector, this could be your best route. If you’re dead-set on living in a major city, you might need to look elsewhere.
Action Steps: What to Do Right Now
If you’re serious about applying through PEI’s program, here’s what you should do today:
1. Check if you meet the requirements for one of PEI’s streams (Labour Impact, Express Entry, or Business Impact).
2. Submit your EOI profile immediately if you qualify. Don’t wait for a “better” time.
3. Mark all 12 draw dates on your calendar. Set reminders for a few days before each one to update your profile if needed.
4. Watch for PEI’s 2026 priority sector announcement. If your occupation gets added to the priority list, your chances just went way up.
5. Keep your documents current. Language tests, educational credentials, work references—make sure nothing’s expiring soon.
6. Monitor your six-month expiry date. Set a reminder 30 days before your EOI expires so you can renew or resubmit in time.
7. Stay flexible for surprise draws. PEI held three unscheduled draws in 2025. Be ready if they do the same in 2026.
The Bottom Line
Prince Edward Island publishing its full 2026 immigration draw schedule is a gift to provincial nominee candidates.
It won’t guarantee you an invitation—your qualifications, occupation, and timing still matter—but it gives you something most applicants don’t get: visibility into the process.
Twelve draws. Twelve chances. And potentially a few surprise bonuses if 2026 follows 2025’s pattern.
If you’re sitting on the fence about submitting your EOI, this schedule should push you off it. You now know exactly when opportunities are coming. The only question is whether you’ll be in the pool when they arrive.
Mark January 15 on your calendar. That’s the first draw of 2026, and it’s happening in less than a week.
