Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
Manitoba and its capital city Winnipeg are perfectly situated in the heart of North America. Manitoba plays a big role in the continent as a transportation and trade hub, thanks to its location along the continent’s North-South trade corridor. The city has rail, road, sea and air connections to the rest of the continent and the outside world.
Also called the “Land of 100,000 Lakes,” Manitoba has a diversified economy led by manufacturing, agriculture, hydroelectricity and mining. The majority of foreign nationals immigrate here through the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (Manitoba PNP).
Since the economy of Manitoba is largely dependent on natural resources, agriculture is the province’s main economic driver. Manitoba attracts many immigrants who benefit from the tight-knit farming communities, stable labour market and the picturesque landscape.
Through the Manitoba PNP, immigrants, who possess the skills and experience identified by the province, can receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate. Holding such a certificate speeds up the immigration process greatly.
Please note that in 2018, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program will undergo a complete renewal of the various streams you can follow to acquire a nomination. Applications submitted before the new changes came into effect will be processed as normal. Below you will find a detailed description of all the renewed immigration streams for Manitoba.
Quick Facts About Manitoba
- Winnipeg is the capital city
- The province is culturally diverse with over 100 spoken languages
- Green, renewable and sustainable, nearly 98% of Manitoba’s power is hydrometric
Manitoba Skilled Worker Provincial Nominee Program
The Three Basic Steps of Immigrating to Manitoba Through the MPNP |
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| Step 1 – Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Candidates are required to create an online profile and answer a number of questions. They are then assigned a score based on their answers and placed in the Manitoba EOI pool with other eligible candidates. |
| Step 2 – As in the Express Entry program, the candidates will be ranked and the highest ranking candidates with a connection to Manitoba will be invited to submit a Manitoba PNP application through a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). Upon receiving an LAA, candidates have only 60 days to submit a complete and accurate application to Manitoba. |
| Step 3 – Provincial government assesses and then nominates successful candidates. |
The Are Four Streams Through Which Candidates Can Immigrate to Manitoba:
- International Education Stream;
- Business Investor Stream;
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream; and
- Skilled Worker Overseas Stream
International Education Stream
This stream came into effect from November, 2018. The stream targets international students who have graduated from tertiary institutions in Manitoba to provide faster nomination options for those seeking long-term employment in an in-demand occupation. Under this stream are three pathways, the Career Employment Pathway, Graduate Internship Pathway and Student Entrepreneur Pathway.
Career Employment Pathway
Under the Career Employment Pathway, international students can be nominated by the province if they have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the province and are seeking long term employment in an in-demand occupation. You can apply to the MPNP after graduation if you have a valid job offer from a Manitoban employer.
Please note that if you studied in another province or territory in Canada as an international student or do not have an in-demand occupation, you may still be eligible to apply under another program called the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream.
Requirements for the Career Employment Pathway: |
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| Completed a course of at least a one year’s duration at a post-secondary institution; |
| Have a minimum language score of 7 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC); |
| Have a job offer from a valid Manitoban employer for a contract that lasts for a minimum of one year and matches an in-demand job; |
| Are currently employed in the province; |
| Have sufficient funds that match the Low Income Cut Off requirements for a six months period or are employed in a full-time position in the province; |
| Have applied to the program while living in the province; |
| Have the intention to stay in the province after nomination and provide a Career Employment Plan to show your future career path in the province; and |
| Have met all of the requirements for the MPNP |
If you have completed a bridging course and have passed the initial certification for the course by a regulatory body, you do not need a job offer from a Manitoban employer.
Graduate Internship Pathway
If you are a Doctoral or Masters graduate, then you could apply under the Graduate Internship Pathway. This pathway is designed for faster provincial nomination processing those who can bring innovation to Manitoba’s markets.
If you graduated under the Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs, you can automatically apply to the MPNP after your graduation, even if you do not have a job offer.
For additional information about the program, you must book an information session with the Manitoban government. This information session must be booked before you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the MPNP.
Requirements for the Graduate Internship Pathway: |
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| Have completed a Masters or Doctoral program in Manitoba that lasted at least three years; |
| Have scored at least a 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC); |
| Have completed an internship under either Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate in an eligible industry; |
| Have sufficient funds to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for a six month period or have a current job in Manitoba in your current field of study in a permanent position; |
| Have applied for the pathway while living in the province; |
| Have the intention to live in the province after receiving a nomination and supply a Career Employment Plan to show your plans for future employment in the province; and |
| Have met all of the requirements for the MPNP |
Student Entrepreneur Pathway
This is one of the smallest pathway options under the International Education Stream. It invites 20 international students who have graduated from Manitoba institutions and are interested in starting and owning their own businesses in the province.
All applicants must meet the requirements listed under the Business Performance Agreement before they can be nominated for permanent residence in the province.
Before you apply through the MPNP, you must book an information session with the Manitoba Immigration.
If you graduated from an educational institution in Canada outside of Manitoba, you may still be able to apply through the Business Investor Stream Entrepreneur Pathway.
Requirements for the Student Entrepreneur Pathway: |
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| Have a business plan to submit with your MPNP application; |
| Have operated your business as a senior manager for at least six months while meeting all the requirements of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) before being nominated by the province; |
| Have ownership of at least 51% of the business; |
| Have scored at least a 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC). Please note that the Academic language test options are accepted for IELTS and TEF; |
| Have completed a post-secondary program in the province that lasted at least two years; |
| Have applied while you are between the ages of 21 and 35; |
| Have a valid work permit or post-graduation work permit (PGWP) when you apply; |
| Have plans to live in the province after receiving a Provincial Nomination; |
| Have lived in the province since graduating from university; |
| Have demonstrated that you meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources for a period of twelve months; |
| Have verified your personal net worth through a third party supplier with the approval of the MPNP; |
| Have submitted a verification report with your application through the MPNP within 120 days of getting your Letter of Advice to Apply; |
| Have met the Business Performance Agreement signed before your MPNP that has approved your Approval in Principle Letter for your business plan; and |
| Have met all of the requirements of the MPNP |
Business Investor Stream
The new Business Investor Stream is already in effect. Manitoba is empowered to nominate and recruit qualified entrepreneurs and business investors according to this stream. These are persons who have both the ability and the intent to purchase or start a business in the province.
There are two pathways for the Business Investor stream:
- Entrepreneur Pathway (for applicants who want to start, purchase a business or want to become partners in an existing business); and
- Farm Investor Pathway (for applicants who want to start and manage a farm in rural Manitoba)
Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream
The renewed Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream will be in effect from November 2018, however, this date is subject to change.
This stream targets individuals who are connected to Manitoba through the educational background, work experience, training, employment, skills and language proficiency needed to contribute to the province’s economic and community growth.
In order to qualify for this stream, you must meet all the minimum requirements.
There are two pathways for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream.
Manitoba Work Experience Pathway
Temporary foreign workers, out-of-province international student graduates and Manitoba graduates, with jobs that are not included in the province’s In-demand Occupations list, can follow this pathway.
To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Be a temporary foreign worker or international student, who graduated from a Manitoban institution, in an occupation included in the In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for a minimum of six months; or |
| Be an international student, who graduated from a tertiary institution outside of Manitoba, in an occupation included in the province’s In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for a minimum of 12 months; or |
| Be a temporary foreign worker in an occupation that is not included in the province’s In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for at least 12 months with an LMIA-supported or LMIA exempt work permit; or |
| Be an international student, who graduated from a Manitoban institution, in an occupation that is not included on the province’s In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for at least 12 months; |
| Be living or working in Manitoba when you apply; |
| Have a full-time, long-term job offer from the same company you have been working for that meets the province’s wage and employment standards for the occupation; |
| Have work conditions that are the same as those for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; |
| Be offered a job that is not based at home; |
| Possess the minimum language requirements determined by the type of employment; and |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba, demonstrated in a Settlement Plan. |
Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway
If you received an Invitation to Apply from the MPNP, after being interviewed outside of Canada by an employer and an officer of the MPNP, you can use this pathway.
To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Have at least three years of relevant work experience within the last five years of employment; |
| Have a long-term, full-time job offer that is in line with the wage and employment standards for the particular job, as set by the province; |
| Have working conditions that are consistent with those of Canadian citizens and permanent residents; |
| Be offered a job that is not based at home; |
| Have a job offer from an employer whose business has been in operation in Manitoba for a minimum of three years before you applied; |
| Possess the minimum language requirements determined by the type of employment; |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba; |
| Be between 21 and 45 years old; |
| Have the necessary qualifications and educational background needed to do the job; and |
| Be offered a job from an employer who meets the specific employer eligibility criteria |
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream
Applicants who have a connection to Manitoba through family members or friends, work experience or an Invitation to Apply issued by the MPNP can apply for this stream.
You will also need to satisfy the minimum entry requirements, including a score of at least 60 points, in order to be considered for a nomination.
The new stream will have two pathways:
- Manitoba Express Entry Pathway; and the
- Human Capital Pathway
Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
In order to qualify for this program you must also be eligible under another MPNP stream while meeting the general Express Entry criteria with an active Express Entry profile.
To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Be accepted into the Express Entry pool; |
| Have an educational credential assessment for your education obtained outside of Canada; |
| A copy of your application details from the IRCC; |
| Have at least six months work experience in a job on the In-demand Occupations list; |
| Meet the minimum language requirements determined by your NOC level; |
| Have the required licensure, certification and qualifications needed for the position; |
| Be at least 18 years old when you submit your application; |
| Have the required settlement funds, as determined by Manitoba, for a six-month period; |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba; and |
| Have the support of a relative or close friend who has lived in Manitoba for a minimum of one year; or |
| Hold an Invitation to Apply from the Manitoba PNP |
Human Capital Pathway
If you are a skilled worker who has the skills and training needed in Manitoba, as published in the In-demand Occupations list, you can apply to this pathway.
To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Have full-time work experience for a minimum of six months; |
| Meet the minimum language requirements; |
| Have the required licensure, certification and qualifications needed for the position; |
| Be at least 18 years old at time of submission. There is no maximum age; however, no points are awarded if you are over 45 years old; |
| Have the required settlement funds, as determined by Manitoba, for a six-month period; |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba; and |
| Have the support of a close relative that has lived in the province for a minimum of one year; or |
| Have previously completed some form of tertiary education within the past five years in Manitoba; or |
| Have an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Manitoba PNP |
Old Manitoba Provincial Nomination System
Please note that the renewed MPNP streams will replace all the old immigration streams below:
- Skilled Worker Immigration Stream; and
- Business Immigration Stream
Skilled Worker Immigration Stream
For a candidate to be eligible for this stream, they must be a qualified temporary foreign worker or an international student graduate who is currently working in Manitoba and has been offered a permanent job with their Manitoban employer (after the completion of at least 6 months of continuous full-time employment).
It is also important to note that skilled workers to Manitoba are not subject to a points-based system in order to determine their eligibility.
For Eligibility Under the Skilled Workers Immigration Stream of the MPNP, Candidates Are Required To: |
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| Be a qualified temporary foreign worker or an international student graduate; |
a. The international student graduate must have attended an accredited education or training program at a public or private vocational or post-secondary institution in Manitoba. b. The academic/vocational program must have been full-time and at least one academic year in length. c. The candidate must have successfully completed the program and have been awarded a diploma, degree, or certificate. |
| Have a permanent full-time job offer from their current Manitoban employer; |
| Have worked for their current Manitoban employer continuously for at least six months; |
a. Periods of self-employment, unauthorized work, or periods of employment during which candidates were engaged in full-time study, will not be included when calculating the period of qualifying work experience in Manitoba. |
| Have a valid Work Permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); |
| Possess all the qualifications for the position including training, education and any required license or certification; |
| Possess the necessary language skills in English or French needed to fulfill the duties of their job description; and |
| Have a connection to Manitoba through employment that is stronger than the ties they may have in other provinces |
Skilled Worker Overseas Category
The Manitoban Skilled Worker Overseas Category was designed to allow qualified foreign skilled workers who are outside of Canada but demonstrate a strong connection to Manitoba to move to the province.
The Skilled Worker Overseas Category uses a points-based system to assess applicants and potential candidates, factoring in factors such as language proficiency, education, age, and work experience.
To Be Eligible Under This Category, Candidates Must: |
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| Obtain a minimum of 60 out of 100 points in the points assessment grid; and |
| Demonstrate an established connection to Manitoba through the support of friends or family, prior work experience or education in the province or an Invitation to Apply under the MPNP |
Manitoban Support
The Manitoban Supporter Must: |
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| Provide documents proving that they reside and are established in Manitoba and have been living in the province continuously for at least one year; |
| Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and |
| Demonstrate sufficient close ties to the applicant and to Manitoba either as a close relative or friend |
To Be Considered a Close Relative, the Manitoban Supporter Must Be Related to the Applicant in One of the Following Ways: |
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| Support the applicant’s settlement plan; and |
| Demonstrate that any applications they previously supported resulted in successful, permanent economic establishment in Manitoba |
Experience in Manitoba
Manitoban experience means that in the past you lived as a temporary foreign worker or as an international student.
Past Employment in Manitoba: |
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| You must have worked full-time for a Manitoban employer for at least 6 consecutive months; |
| You must submit a signed employer letter of reference that includes the letterhead of the company; and |
| You must submit a copy of the work permit proving you worked in Manitoba |
Past Education in Manitoba: |
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| You must have completed an approved education or training program at a public, registered private vocational or post-secondary institution in Manitoba; and |
| You must submit your study permit(s), your academic transcripts and the certificate, diploma or degree you were awarded for completing the program. |
Invitation to Manitoba
The MPNP for skilled workers regularly issues Invitations to Apply to qualified candidates who are identified as part of one of their strategic recruitment initiatives in Manitoba and overseas. Issuance of an Invitation to Apply is a decision made by the MPNP and applicants cannot self-select for eligibility with this connection to the province.