Situated between Ontario and Saskatchewan, Manitoba serves as the entry point to western Canada.
The Manitoba PNP has become a remarkable tale of immigration success, significantly shaping the province's population, workforce, and economic development.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) holds the distinction of being Canada's inaugural Provincial Nominee Program, transitioning into a permanent immigration initiative in 1998.
This program was established with the goal of fostering the province's economic growth through targeted immigration, addressing their specific economic and labor market demands.
In its inaugural year, MPNP welcomed 418 new immigrants, a number that has since burgeoned to over 5,000 nominees annually.
The MPNP has significantly bolstered Manitoba's economic landscape. Without it, the province's GDP could have been diminished by up to 30 percent.
Manitoba stands out as an attractive destination for newcomers. Having a connection, such as a friend or relative in the province, can facilitate immigration through the MPNP. Moreover, an impressive 90 percent of provincial nominees secure employment within their first year, contributing to the province's high retention rate, with almost 90 percent opting to remain in Manitoba.
The MPNP encompasses diverse immigration streams, categorized into base and enhanced streams.
Enhanced streams are closely integrated with the Express Entry system, a federal mechanism managing permanent residence applications for the country's main economic class immigration programs. Candidates are assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), with the highest-ranking individuals receiving invitations to apply for permanent residence. Nominees from enhanced streams receive an additional 600 CRS points, essentially ensuring an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Their nomination is also synchronized with their Express Entry profile.
In contrast, base streams operate independently of the Express Entry system. Nominees under these streams are required to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) upon receiving a provincial nomination.
How to immigrate to Manitoba
If you're considering immigration to Manitoba, you have a choice of five pathways:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream: This option is designed for qualified temporary foreign workers and international student graduates currently employed in Manitoba. It applies to those who have received a permanent, full-time job offer from a Manitoba employer.
- Skilled Worker Overseas Stream: This stream is open to skilled workers with a strong connection to Manitoba, even if they are currently residing outside Canada. Eligible candidates can also include skilled workers already within Canada.
- Manitoba Business Investor Stream: This option caters to individuals looking to establish a business in Manitoba.
- International Education Stream: International graduates from Manitoba post-secondary institutions who wish to settle permanently in the province can choose this stream.
Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream
The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream offers two distinct pathways:
- Manitoba Work Experience Pathway:
This route is tailored for individuals presently employed in Manitoba under a temporary work permit, encompassing both temporary workers and international graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions.
- Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway:
To qualify for this pathway, candidates must undergo interviews conducted by a representative of the MPNP and a Manitoba employer. These interviews occur outside Canada, and applicants must secure an Invitation to Apply before proceeding through this pathway.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be a temporary foreign worker or an international student graduate.
- Must possess a valid Work Permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- Must have a permanent, full-time job offer from the current Manitoba employer, with a minimum of six continuous months of employment.
- Must meet all qualifications for the position, including necessary training, education, licenses, or certifications.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in English or French to fulfill job responsibilities.
- Must have a stronger employment connection to Manitoba compared to any other province in Canada.
- Must intend and have the ability to live, work, and establish permanent residency in Manitoba, as evidenced in a Settlement Plan.
- Must show financial stability, including CAD $10,000 for the main applicant and CAD $2,000 for each dependent in the application.
- The employer must operate a registered commercial business in operation for at least three years.
- Working conditions must align with those of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream
The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream offers two distinct pathways:
- Manitoba Express Entry Pathway:
This route is designed for individuals with an active Express Entry profile who qualify under another MPNP stream. Applicants must also have experience in an occupation listed on Manitoba’s In-demand Occupations list and demonstrate a strong connection to Manitoba. More information about Express Entry can be found [here](link to Express Entry page).
This pathway caters to foreign skilled workers with experience in an occupation listed on Manitoba’s In-demand Occupations list.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must score at least 60 out of 100 on the points assessment grid.
- Must demonstrate a connection to Manitoba through support from friends or family residing in the province, previous work experience or education in Manitoba, or an invitation to apply from the MPNP. Additional requirements vary based on the type of connection.
- Must have a minimum of six months of experience in an In-Demand occupation.
- Must submit a comprehensive Career Plan.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
Express Entry candidates can utilize the Express Entry system for this purpose.
Manitoba Business Investor Stream
If you're aspiring to immigrate to Manitoba and engage in business activities, there are two distinct pathways available:
This pathway caters to individuals with farm business expertise who wish to establish and manage a farm in Manitoba.
The Entrepreneur Pathway enables the province to recruit and nominate eligible foreign business proprietors to relocate to Manitoba. These entrepreneurs must have the intent and capability to either establish or acquire a new business, or co-own an existing one. This action must occur within the initial two years after their arrival in Manitoba on a temporary work permit.
1. Farm Investor Pathway Process:
- Farm Research Visit: Candidates must conduct a Farm Research Visit in Manitoba within one year before initiating the application process.
- Interest Guidelines and Forms: Complete the Interest Guidelines (a self-assessment of your situation) and the Farm Business Concept forms, along with the submission of the Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives if necessary.
- Application Submission: If you receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA), submit an application for the Farm Investor Pathway. An interview with an MPNP representative might be required.
- Deposit Agreement: If approved, sign a Deposit Agreement and submit a deposit of CAD $75,000. Upon receiving the nomination, apply directly to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence.
2. Entrepreneur Pathway Process:
- Eligibility Check: Determine your eligibility for the Entrepreneur Pathway.
- Business Concept Preparation: Research your business concept, explore Manitoba, and prepare the Business Concept Form.
- expression of Interest (EOI) Submission: Submit an EOI, Business Concept Form, Self-Assessment Form, and Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives (if applicable).
- Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA): If you meet the minimum criteria and your Business Concept is approved, receive an official LAA.
- Application Submission: Submit a complete application to the MPNP and potentially attend an in-person interview.
- Business Performance Agreement (BPA): Sign a BPA, outlining the terms and conditions between you and the MPNP. Operate your business in Manitoba and provide regular performance updates.
- Provincial Nomination: Upon fulfilling the BPA requirements, receive a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
- Permanent Residency Application: Use the nomination to apply directly to the Canadian federal government for permanent residency visas for yourself and your family.
International Education Stream
The International Education Stream (IES) is specifically tailored to assist Manitoba graduates who fulfill industry needs by offering expedited pathways to permanent residence. This stream comprises three distinctive pathways: the Career Employment Pathway, the Graduate Internship Pathway, and the Student Entrepreneur Pathway.
For graduates of Manitoba educational institutions who align with the labor market requirements, the IES offers swift routes to permanent residency, presenting applicants with three distinct options:
- Career Employment Pathway:
Designed for post-secondary graduates engaged in long-term employment in Manitoba within an in-demand occupation.
- Graduate Internship Pathway:
Catering to international master's and doctoral graduates who complete an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs, an organization partnering with the Manitoba government to facilitate internships for international graduates.
- International Student Entrepreneur Pathway:
Allows up to 20 graduates from Manitoba learning institutions to embark on entrepreneurial ventures in Manitoba. To be nominated for permanent residence, candidates must fulfill the conditions outlined in a Business Performance Agreement.
If you have any question about how to immigrate to Manitoba, book an appointment with our team. E-Visa Immigration has expert immigration consultants ready to assist you at any time of your process. Contact us!
