Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

The Manitoba province is between Saskatchewan and Ontario provinces. In 1998, it became the first to launch a PNP or Provincial Nominee Program. Back then, they needed skilled immigrants to fill the job gaps and hence came up with this idea. Since then, several provinces in Canada have adopted the PNP model with outstanding success.

Manitoba PNP Overview

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, or MPNP, has helped the economy of the province grow and thrive. While it attracted only 418 immigrants in the first year, today, it attracts over 4000 immigrants annually on an average.

The MPNP is a unique program as you can immigrate if you have a close relative or friend there. Data shows that over 90 percent of the provincial nominees get employed in the first year itself. The retention rate is also high at 90 percent.

There are base as well as enhanced immigration streams available for immigrants to choose from. The enhanced stream is aligned with the Express Entry system, which the government uses to manage all applications for permanent residents. Based on the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS, candidates are provided a point score. Those who score the highest get an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Base streams are streams that are not aligned with the Express Entry systems. Candidates with a provincial nomination must apply directly to the IRCC or Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

Manitoba Immigration Streams:

There are five streams to choose from for those who wish to immigrate to Manitoba.

Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream

Who Can Qualify?

Qualified temporary workers and international student graduates working in the province and with permanent jobs with an employer in the province

There are two pathways:

Manitoba Work Experience Pathway
For candidates working at present in Manitoba with a temporary work permit.

The Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway
The candidates will be interviewed outside Canada by a Manitoba employer and an MPNP representative.

Application Fee: CAD 500

Minimum Requirement:

• Applicant must be a temporary foreign worker or an international student graduate with valid permits
• They must have a permanent, full-time job in Manitoba and must be working in the current establishment for at least six months without a gap
• Must have all qualifications, including training/education and license or certification
• Must be proficient in English or French
• Must have a strong connection to Manitoba through employment
• Must display the intent to live, work and establish their work and family life in Manitoba permanently and demonstrate this in a Settlement Plan
• The main applicant must show financial holding of CAD 10,000 and CAD 2,000 for each dependent in the application
• They must be employed with a registered commercial business that’s been operating for at least three years

How It Works:

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by answering a complete series of questions online. You will be scored according to the replies.
• Candidates with top scores get to submit an MPNP application
• Successful candidates will get a provincial nomination. The same can be used to apply to the Canadian federal government for a permanent residence visa
• Those applying through the Manitoba Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway will be interviewed by an MPNP representative and an eligible employer outside of Canada.

Skilled Worker Overseas Stream

The two pathways in this stream are:

Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
For applicants with an Express Entry Profile and are eligible under the MPNP stream. You must also list an occupation in which you have gained experience in Manitoba.

Human Capital Pathway
For overseas skilled workers experienced in the listed occupations

Application Fee: CAD 500

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and score at least 60 out of 100 on the points assessment grid
• Must have a strong Manitoba connection through the support of friends or family living in the province
• Must show proof of previous work experience or education in the province, or must be invited to apply by the MPNP
• Must have been working in an In-Demand occupation for at least six months
• Must submit a comprehensive career plan

How It Works:

• Submit an EOI by completing a series of questions online. Based on the answers, you will get a score
• The top scorers will get an invitation to submit an MPNP application.
• Successful applicants will get a provincial nomination from Manitoba. The same can be used for applying for a permanent residency visa directly from the Canadian government

Manitoba Business Investor Stream

This stream is for immigrants looking to set up a business in Manitoba. The two pathways are:

Farm Investor Pathway
For immigrants with experience in the farm-related business

Entrepreneur Pathway
For eligible foreign business owners looking to move to Manitoba

Application Fee: CAD 2500

Minimum Requirements for Farm Investor Pathway:

• Minimum of three years of farm business management or farm ownership and operation experience
• Proficiency in English or French
• Have the funds to invest at least CAD 300,000
• Must submit a farm business plan for establishing the same in rural Manitoba
• Must conduct a Farm Business Research Visit, show intent of living on the farm, and manage the business
• Must have a net worth of at least CAD 500,000.

Minimum Requirements Entrepreneur Pathway

• Three years of experience as an active business owner or senior management in a successful business in the past five years
• Must meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 5
• Must have at least a Canadian high school certificate/equivalent
• Must make a minimum investment of:

–          CAD 250,000 if the business is in the Manitoba Capital Region (Winnipeg area

–          CAD 150,000 if the business is outside the Manitoba Capital Region

• Must create at least one job for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident in Manitoba;
• Must submit a business plan
• Must be ready to sign a Business Performance Agreement on approval
• Must have a net worth of at least CAD 500,000.

How the Farm Investor Pathway Works:

You must do a Farm Research Visit in Manitoba less than a year before beginning the process. You must also complete the Interest Guidelines, the Farm Business Concept forms, and submit them. Some applicants may submit the Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives if needed.

You can apply to the Farm Investor Pathway if you receive an LAA. The next step is an interview with an MPNP representative. On approval, you will be provided a contract for deposit agreement. Sign and send the deposit amount of CAD 75,000. You can apply to the Canadian government directly for permanent residence on receiving the nomination.

How the Entrepreneur Pathway Works:

Determine your eligibility, research, and prepare the business concept form. Submit an EOI and the form along with a Self-Assessment form and a Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives, if needed. You will be provided an Official Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) on approval. Submit the completed application to the MPNP. If approved, you will have to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA), a contract with the MPNP. Visit Manitoba, launch your business, and provide regular performance updates. You will receive a provincial nomination for permanent residence on complying with the BPA terms and conditions. The same can be used to apply for permanent residency.

International Education Stream (IES)

The IES provides eligible Manitoba graduates a faster way of achieving permanent residence. The stream has three pathways:

• Career Employment Pathway
• Student Entrepreneur Pathway
• Graduate Internship Pathway

Career Employment Pathway

It is for post-secondary graduates with long-term employment in an in-demand occupation in Manitoba.

Application Fee: CAD 500

Minimum Requirement:

• Must have done a minimum of two semesters from a post-secondary institution in the province in the past three years
• A minimum language requirement of CLB 7
• A one-year-long full-time in-demand occupation job offer from an eligible current employer
• Financially stable for meeting expenses for six months
• Must live in Manitoba while applying for residency

Student Entrepreneur Pathway

This program is designed to provide up to 20 international graduates with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs in Manitoba.

Application Fee: CAD 2500

Minimum Requirement:

• Must be 21-35 years old
• Must submit a business plan
• Must operate the business with a holding of at least 51 percent for at least six months before being nominated
• Must meet the language requirement of CLB 7
• Must complete a two-year, full-time post-secondary education program in Manitoba
• Must have the finances to live comfortably for six months
• Must have a valid open PGWP work permit
• Must have lived in Manitoba since graduation and intend to do so
• Must sign a Business Performance Agreement on approval

Graduate Internship Pathway

This is for international Master, and doctoral graduates completing a Mitacs Accelerate or Elevate internship. Mitacs partners with the Manitoba government to help provide internships to international graduates.

Application Fee: CAD 500 

Minimum Requirements

• A master’s or doctoral degree in the last three years from Manitoba
• Minimum language requirement of CLB 7
• A Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate (including Accelerate Entrepreneur) internship
• Finances for six months or full-time employment in Manitoba;
• Must be living in Manitoba when applying

Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative

Morden, which lies to the southwest of Winnipeg, needs immigrants to carry out specific work and meet its labor needs. Applicants must meet age, language, education, and experience markers. They must be financially stable to settle in Morden and not have any Canadian connection, meaning no friends or family living in Manitoba. They must not have a job offer or previous job experience, or previous education in the province.

Dev Immigration Services Inc. is a leading Canadian immigration service with unmatched experience in Canadian Immigration laws and processes. We have the best team of professionals dedicated to helping you immigrate to Canada. If you plan to immigrate to Canada through the PNP or any other pathway, contact us for a consultation.