Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Located between the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan, the Province of Manitoba is in many ways the gateway to western Canada. With an economy based largely on natural resources and agriculture, it is a major driver of Canada’s wealth. Manitoba’s population of approximately 1.2 million is located largely in and around the capital city of Winnipeg. Manitobans benefit from tight-knit communities, a stable labour market, and sweeping natural wilderness.
The MPNP is Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate, which speeds up the overall immigration process.
Express Entry candidates nominated by Manitoba will receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC has committed to processing times of six months or less for applicants through Express Entry.
MPNP Accepts Applications Under 3 Main Immigration Streams
1. Skilled Worker Stream
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) seeks recent graduates, skilled workers, businesspeople and their families with the intention and ability to successfully settle and economically establish in Manitoba as permanent residents.
The MPNP for Skilled Workers is locally driven and based on the needs of Manitoba employers, selecting internationally trained and experienced workers who have the skills needed in the local labour market, and nominate them to receive Canadian permanent resident visas to settle and work in Manitoba.
There are two categories under this stream and they include;
Skilled Workers in Manitoba
The MPNP for Skilled Workers is locally driven and based on the needs of Manitoba employers. Manitoba selects internationally trained and experienced workers who have the skills needed in the local labour market, and nominate them to receive Canadian permanent resident visas to settle and work in Manitoba.
The MPNP for Skilled Workers in Manitoba nominates applicants who have a strong connection to the province through ongoing employment and sufficient skills, education and training, work experience and official language proficiency to make an immediate and ongoing contribution to the Manitoba economy and the community at large.
Ongoing Manitoba employment is a means for skilled workers to demonstrate they have the Connection to Manitoba required of all applicants to the MPNP for Skilled Workers.
Ongoing Manitoba employment means that a Manitoba company has offered you a long-term, full-time job after you have completed at least six months (continuous) full-time employment with that company as a temporary foreign worker or international student working graduate.
Unlike the other connections to Manitoba in the MPNP, Skilled Workers in Manitoba are not subject to a points-based assessment.
Skilled Workers Overseas
The MPNP for Skilled Workers Overseas nominates applicants who demonstrate an established connection to Manitoba through:
2. International Education Stream
The International Education Stream (IES) for Manitoba graduates is dedicated to providing international students graduating in Manitoba and meeting the needs of industry faster pathways to nomination.
There are three pathways:
Career Employment Pathway
The Career Employment Pathway provides faster nomination pathways for post-secondary students who graduate and find long-term employment in Manitoba in an in-demand occupation consistent with their training. If you meet these conditions, you will be eligible to apply to the MPNP immediately after graduating and obtaining the job offer.
In order to qualify you must:
Graduate Internship Pathway
The Graduate Internship Pathway provides faster nomination pathways for international student master and doctoral graduates through internships contributing to industry innovation in Manitoba. Graduates who complete an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba can apply to the MPNP immediately after graduation, whether or not they have a job offer.
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
The International Student Entrepreneur Pilot will provide up to 20 (per calendar year) international students who have graduated in Manitoba the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship rather than employment. Once the applicant meets the conditions of their Business Performance Agreement, they are nominated for permanent residence.
In order to qualify you must:
3. Business Investor Stream
The renewed Business Investor Stream will replace the current PNP-B business immigration category. BIS allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba. Applicants will no longer be required to submit a deposit of $100,000 to the Manitoba government.
There are two pathways:
The Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants seeking to open a business in Manitoba
The minimum requirements to qualify through this stream include the following;
The Farm Investor Pathway for those intending to establish and operate a farm operation in rural ManitobaThe renewed Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) replaces the previous Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative. The Pathway is for individuals with proven farm business experience, sufficient available capital to invest, and who intend to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba.
It is expected that successful applicants of the FIP will establish a farm business in rural Manitoba producing primary products that is consistent with the province’s current farm industry. The type of operation and investment must correlate with Provincial statistics and be relevant to Manitoba’s farm industry. Agri-business operations not producing primary products may qualify under the Entrepreneur Pathway.
In order to qualify you must meet the following requirements;
Express Entry candidates nominated by Manitoba will receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC has committed to processing times of six months or less for applicants through Express Entry.
MPNP Accepts Applications Under 3 Main Immigration Streams
- Skilled Worker Stream
- International Education Stream
- Business Investor Stream
1. Skilled Worker Stream
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) seeks recent graduates, skilled workers, businesspeople and their families with the intention and ability to successfully settle and economically establish in Manitoba as permanent residents.
The MPNP for Skilled Workers is locally driven and based on the needs of Manitoba employers, selecting internationally trained and experienced workers who have the skills needed in the local labour market, and nominate them to receive Canadian permanent resident visas to settle and work in Manitoba.
There are two categories under this stream and they include;
- Skilled Workers in Manitoba
- Skilled Workers Overseas
Skilled Workers in Manitoba
The MPNP for Skilled Workers is locally driven and based on the needs of Manitoba employers. Manitoba selects internationally trained and experienced workers who have the skills needed in the local labour market, and nominate them to receive Canadian permanent resident visas to settle and work in Manitoba.
The MPNP for Skilled Workers in Manitoba nominates applicants who have a strong connection to the province through ongoing employment and sufficient skills, education and training, work experience and official language proficiency to make an immediate and ongoing contribution to the Manitoba economy and the community at large.
Ongoing Manitoba employment is a means for skilled workers to demonstrate they have the Connection to Manitoba required of all applicants to the MPNP for Skilled Workers.
Ongoing Manitoba employment means that a Manitoba company has offered you a long-term, full-time job after you have completed at least six months (continuous) full-time employment with that company as a temporary foreign worker or international student working graduate.
Unlike the other connections to Manitoba in the MPNP, Skilled Workers in Manitoba are not subject to a points-based assessment.
Skilled Workers Overseas
The MPNP for Skilled Workers Overseas nominates applicants who demonstrate an established connection to Manitoba through:
- the support of family members or friends;
- through previous education or work experience in the province; or
- through an Invitation to Apply received directly from the MPNP as part of a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.
2. International Education Stream
The International Education Stream (IES) for Manitoba graduates is dedicated to providing international students graduating in Manitoba and meeting the needs of industry faster pathways to nomination.
There are three pathways:
- Career Employment Pathway
- Graduate Internship Pathway
- International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
Career Employment Pathway
The Career Employment Pathway provides faster nomination pathways for post-secondary students who graduate and find long-term employment in Manitoba in an in-demand occupation consistent with their training. If you meet these conditions, you will be eligible to apply to the MPNP immediately after graduating and obtaining the job offer.
In order to qualify you must:
- Have graduated in the past 3 years from a designated post-secondary institution in Manitoba (minimum one year, two semesters, full-time coursework).
- Have proof of English Language proficiency at a Minimum CLB/NCLC 7 (or equivalent)
- Have a full-time job offer from an eligible Manitoba employer, with a minimum 1-year contract on Manitoba’s published In-Demand Occupations list that is consistent with your completed program of studies in Manitoba.You must be working full-time in MB at the time your application is assessed.
- Be residing in Manitoba at the time of application and show the intent to continue to reside in Manitoba after nomination, including the submission of a Career Employment Plan demonstrating opportunities for a successful career track in Manitoba.
Graduate Internship Pathway
The Graduate Internship Pathway provides faster nomination pathways for international student master and doctoral graduates through internships contributing to industry innovation in Manitoba. Graduates who complete an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba can apply to the MPNP immediately after graduation, whether or not they have a job offer.
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
The International Student Entrepreneur Pilot will provide up to 20 (per calendar year) international students who have graduated in Manitoba the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship rather than employment. Once the applicant meets the conditions of their Business Performance Agreement, they are nominated for permanent residence.
In order to qualify you must:
- Submit a business plan as part of your application to MPNP.
- Operate the business as a senior manager on a daily basis from the place of business in Manitoba for at least 6 months prior to nomination while on a valid temporary work permit, consistent with the requirements of your Business Performance Agreement (BPA).
- Hold ownership of at least 51%.
- Provide proof of a minimum English Language Proficiency at a CLB/NCLC 7
- Complete a full-time post-secondary program in Manitoba that is at least 2 years in duration. (distance learning or compressed academic programs are not eligible) Studies and/or work/business experience outside of Canada will be considered as beneficial but not are not an eligibility requirement.
- Be between the age of 21 and 35.
- Have a valid open work permit or post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the time of application.
- Have continuously resided in MB since graduation and Show intent to continue to reside in MB after nomination.
- demonstrate liquid funds equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources for a twelve-month period.
3. Business Investor Stream
The renewed Business Investor Stream will replace the current PNP-B business immigration category. BIS allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba. Applicants will no longer be required to submit a deposit of $100,000 to the Manitoba government.
There are two pathways:
- The Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants seeking to open a business in Manitoba; and
- The Farm Investor Pathway for those intending to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba.
The Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants seeking to open a business in Manitoba
The minimum requirements to qualify through this stream include the following;
- Minimum of three years of full time work experience in the past five years either as an active business owner or working in a senior management role of a successful business. Business owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers.
- Business owners must have at least 33 1/3% ownership to qualify for points.
- Must have a proven minimum English Language Proficiency at a CLB/NCLC 5.
- Minimum Canadian high school certificate equivalent
- No minimum or maximum age; however, ranking points are allocated to candidates 25 to 49 years of age.
- Minimum investment is $250,000 for businesses situated in the Manitoba Capital Region.
- Minimum investment is $150,000 if a business is situated outside of the Manitoba Capital Region.
- Business Investment must be made in an eligible business as defined by the MPNP.
- The proposed business must create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident in Manitoba (excluding owners of the business and/or their close relatives).
- A Business Plan is required and is an integral part of the application.
- Must have a Minimum Net Worth of $500,000 which will be verified.
The Farm Investor Pathway for those intending to establish and operate a farm operation in rural ManitobaThe renewed Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) replaces the previous Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative. The Pathway is for individuals with proven farm business experience, sufficient available capital to invest, and who intend to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba.
It is expected that successful applicants of the FIP will establish a farm business in rural Manitoba producing primary products that is consistent with the province’s current farm industry. The type of operation and investment must correlate with Provincial statistics and be relevant to Manitoba’s farm industry. Agri-business operations not producing primary products may qualify under the Entrepreneur Pathway.
In order to qualify you must meet the following requirements;
- Minimum of three years farm ownership and operation experience supported by verifiable documents.
- The Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) recognizes language capabilities in either of Canada’s two official languages are an important adaptability skill that will accelerate your ability to become economically established in rural Manitoba. If you are invited to attend a FIP interview, you will be required to conduct the interview in either French or English.
- You must invest at least $300,000. You are expected to establish a farming business in rural Manitoba.
- A farm business plan is required and is an integral part of the application.
- You must conduct a Farm Business Research Visit to Manitoba.
- You are required to live on the farm and actively participate in the management of the farm business on an ongoing basis from within Manitoba.
- You must demonstrate adaptability, specifically relating to practical farming skills, technical knowledge and experience in technological based farming practices that will transfer directly to Manitoba’s current primary farm production industry.
- You must have a net worth of at least $500,000
PLEASE NOTE: THESE PROGRAMS ARE AMENDED OFTEN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE MPNP PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS IN MORE DETAIL.
