Manitoba Provincial Nominee program

The skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream (SWM) selects international skilled workers, who have the experience and skills necessary with strong labour market attachments and nominate them for permanent residence in Manitoba.

Individuals can apply under two pathways:

• Manitoba Work Experience Pathway
• Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

1.1 Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

The Manitoba Work Experience Pathway is for candidates who are currently working in Manitoba on a temporary work permit; This includes:

• Temporary foreign workers
• International Students (out of province graduates)
• International student graduates from Manitoba who are currently working in jobs that have not been listed on the In-demand Occupations list

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible under this stream, you must meet all the minimum requirements. There is no scoring of these criteria; they are assessed as pass/fail.

• Work experience in Manitoba/Current employment in Manitoba:
  • Temporary Foreign Workers and International Students: Manitoba graduates who have worked for at-least 6 months in Manitoba in an occupation on the in-demand occupation list. The job does not need to be in your field of study.

  OR

  • International Students: Graduates from outside of the Manitoba province, who have worked a minimum of one year in occupations listed on the In-demand occupations list in Manitoba. The job does not need to be related to your field of study.

  OR

  • Temporary Foreign Workers who have been working in Manitoba for a minimum of one year in jobs NOT listed on Manitoba's in-demand occupation list, with an LMIA or an LMIA exempt work permit.

  OR

  • International students who are graduates from Manitoba and have worked for at least one year in Manitoba in an occupation NOT listed on Manitoba's In-demand occupations list.
• Employment requirements:
  • At the time of application, you must be residing and working in Manitoba, in a full-time, long term job, and being offered a prevailing wage rate or above for the occupation.
  • Working conditions need to be in-line with Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
  • The employment cannot be for part-time, seasonal, commission-based or home-based work.
• Adaptability: Demonstrate the ability and intent to settle in Manitoba
• Minimum language proficiency in English or French:
  • Regulated occupations: CLB 7
  • Compulsory Trades: CLB 6
  • Other NOC O, A or B occupations: CLB 5
  • Semi-skilled occupations (Skill types C and D): CLB 4

Steps to apply

1. Meet all eligibility criteria – under the following factors; Language, adaptability, employment requirements, and work experience in Manitoba.
2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
   *The EOI is only valid for a year after submission. If you have not received an LAA during this period, you will have to submit a new EOI.
3. Receive an invitation to apply
4. Apply for permanent residence

1.2 Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

The Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway is for International candidates who have received a solid job offer from an eligible Manitoba employer. The successful candidate would have been through and interview outside Canada by both the MPNP and an eligible employer, and thereafter received an invitation to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible under this stream, you must meet all the minimum requirements. There is no scoring of these criteria; they are assessed as pass/fail.

• Age: Between 21 – 45 years
• Adaptability: Demonstrate the ability and intent to settle in Manitoba
• Minimum language proficiency in English or French:
  • Regulated occupations: CLB 7
  • Compulsory Trades: CLB 6
  • Other NOC O, A or B occupations: CLB 5
  • Semi-skilled occupations (Skill types C and D): CLB 4
• Employer Eligibility for Strategic Recruitment Initiatives: Employers must additionally meet eligibility criteria to be considered a prospective employer.
• Education: Must have post-secondary education qualification related to the occupation you are being recruited for. If any licensing or certification is required, you would need to apply to the relevant regulatory body and have the qualifications assessed.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years work experience in the past 5 years of employment, relevant to the occupation being recruited for, or other relevant experience identified by the employer.
• The job offer must be for long-term, full time work, with a wage rate that is equivalent to the prevailing wage rate or higher for the occupation.
• The employer's business needs to be a registered commercial business that has been in operation for a minimum of 3 years immediately prior to the application.
• Working conditions need to be in line with Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
• The employment cannot be for part-time, seasonal, commission-based or home-based work.

Steps to Apply

1. Find employment in Canada: All potential candidates under this stream, first need to be offered a job by a Manitoba employer and then be invited to apply.
2. Meet all eligibility criteria – under the following factors; Education, Age, Language proficiency, work experience and job offer requirements
3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) – candidates will be scored out of 1000 points. The top candidates in the candidate pool will be issued a letter of advice to apply (LAAs). If you receive an LAA, then you must proceed to submit a fill application together with supporting documents.
   

   *The EOI is only valid for a year after submission. If you have not received an LAA during this period, you will have to submit a new EOI.

4. Receive an LAA: If you are ranked among the top candidates in the candidate pool, you will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). If you receive an LAA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application to the MPNP
5. Apply for Canadian Permanent residence

This stream is for international skilled workers who possess in-demand skills and qualifications, with strong connections to the Manitoba labour market in related occupations, soon after arriving in Manitoba.

The Skilled Worker Overseas stream is offering a new pathway to nominate qualified candidates for the Federal Express Entry Program. Priority will be given to those that have a good language proficiency, training experience and close family connections in Manitoba.

There are two pathways under this stream:

• Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
• Human Capital Pathway

To be eligible under this stream, you must meet the minimum eligibility criteria and score a minimum of 60 points to be considered for nomination.

2.1 Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

The Manitoba Express Entry pathway is for applicants who demonstrate high human capital, with the relevant training, skills and experience in-line with Manitoba's in-demand occupations and have strong family links in Manitoba. This pathway is also open to other candidates who are eligible under another MPNP program and meet Express Entry criteria.

*Applicants must score 60 out of 100 points to be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

• Express Entry: Show proof of acceptance into the Express Entry pool by submitting a valid express entry ID and job seeker validation code.
• Work Experience: Minimum 6 months' work experience in an in-demand occupation in Manitoba. A career plan would need to be submitted as well.
• Minimum Language proficiency:
  • NOC Skill level O and A: CLB 7
  • NOC skill level B: CLB 6
• Education: Completed at least a one-year post-secondary qualification in Canada or an overseas equivalent. If the education qualification is International, it would need to be accompanied with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove its validity.
• Age: Should be at least 18 years of age when applying
• Adaptability: Demonstrate ability and intent to reside and settle in Manitoba and have the support of a family member or friend who has resided in Manitoba for at least a year OR hold a valid invitation to apply (ITA) by the MPNP.
• Settlement Funds: Demonstrate sufficient funds for a six month period ( funds need to be liquid and equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources).

Steps to apply

• Assess eligibility – Must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 in the Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Points grid
• If eligible, create a profile in the Expression of Interest (EOI) system for skilled workers in Manitoba – Submit an EOI. You will be scored out of 1000. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to apply for provincial nomination
• All invited applicants could apply for an enhanced provincial nomination under the MPNP. Successful applicants will receive 600 additional points on the comprehensive ranking system (CRS).
• Once the nomination is uploaded to the express entry profile, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
• Applicants can then apply to the Federal government for permanent residence

*Processing times could be up-to six months

2.2 Human Capital Pathway

This pathway is meant for international skilled workers who have the required training and skills that are in-line with Manitoba's in-demand occupations list, with the ability to establish strong connections in the Manitoba labour market soon after arriving in Manitoba.

To be eligible under this stream, you must meet the minimum eligibility criteria and score a minimum of 60 points to be considered for nomination.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Employment experience: You must submit a career plan. Any work experience should be in an occupation on the Manitoba in-demand occupation list. All work experience must be full-time work for a period of 6 months, minimum. If an applicant has less than one year of work experience in total, they will be awarded zero points.
• Official language proficiency: minimum requirements
  • Regulated occupations: CLB 7
  • Compulsory trades: CLB 6
  • All other NOC skill level O, A and B occupations: CLB 5
  • If a candidate has a second official language proficiency of CLB 5 or higher, they will be awarded additional points.
• Education: Completed at least a one-year post-secondary qualification in Canada or an overseas equivalent. If the education qualification is International, it would need to be accompanied with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove its validity.
• Age: Should be at least 18 years of age at the time of applying.
• Adaptability: Demonstrate ability and intent to reside and settle in Manitoba and have the support of a family member or friend who has resided in Manitoba for at least a year OR hold a valid invitation to apply (ITA) by the MPNP OR have previous work experience in Manitoba within the past 5 years OR a previous post-secondary education completed in Manitoba within the past five years.
• You could additionally be awarded points if your spouse/partner has a bachelor's degree and an official language proficiency of at least CLB 5.
• Settlement Funds: Demonstrate sufficient funds for a six month period ( funds need to be liquid and equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources).

Steps to apply

• Assess eligibility – Must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 in the Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Points grid
• If eligible, create a profile in the Expression of Interest (EOI) system for skilled workers in Manitoba – Submit an EOI. You will be scored out of 1000. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to apply for provincial nomination
• All invited applicants could apply for an enhanced provincial nomination under the MPNP. Successful applicants will receive 600 additional points on the comprehensive ranking system (CRS).
• Once the nomination is uploaded to the express entry profile, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
• Applicants can then apply to the Federal government for permanent residence

*Processing times could be up-to six months

The Business Investor stream (BIS) allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate overseas qualified investors and entrepreneurs who have the intent and ability to start or purchase a business in Manitoba within 2 years of arriving in Canada.

The stream has two distinct pathways:

• The Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants who want to establish a business in Manitoba
• The Farm Investor Pathway for applicants who are looking to establish and operate a farm in rural Manitoba.

3.1 Entrepreneur Pathway

This stream allows Manitoba to nominate qualified business persons from overseas, who demonstrate the intent and ability to move to Manitoba and establish, purchase or buy into an existing business within the first two years of arriving in Canada on a temporary work permit.

Eligibility Criteria

• Farm Business Experience: should have a minimum of three years farm ownership and experience operating a farm business
• Official language proficiency: Minimum CLB 5 in either English or French
• Education: Minimum of a Canadian high school degree or overseas equivalent
• Age: No minimum or maximum age. However, points are only awarded if an applicant is between the ages of 25 – 49
• Adaptability:
  • Your partner/spouse has a minimum CLB 5 in the primary language
  • You or your spouse has a CLB 5 or higher in a second official language
  • You or your spouse has a relative or a close friend who has been residing in Manitoba for at least one year
  • You have a child who is enrolled in a Manitoba Educational institution and is actively pursuing full-time studies in either academic, professional or vocational training for at least 6 months before submitting the EOI and/or
  • You or your accompanying spouse have completed a full-time study program at a Manitoba Post-secondary institution for at least one year, and the studies should have been completed after you or your partner turned 17 years old while on a valid study permit OR
  • You or your partner have completed a minimum of six months, continuous employment in Manitoba prior to applying. An employer reference letter and a copy of the work permit must also be submitted.
• Business Performance agreement: After your application is approved, a business performance agreement must be signed before the MPNP can issue you a letter of support to apply for a work permit.
• Business Experience: Must demonstrate a minimum of three years, full-time work in the past five years, either as a senior manager of a successful business or as a business owner (Business owners would be awarded higher points than senior managers). A business owner should have at least 33% ownership of the business to qualify for points.
• Business Research Visit: A business research visit prior to submitting an EOI is recommended. This would allow you to do research into the business before you make any investments. The business research visit should not be conducted more than a year prior to submission of the EOI.
• Business Plan: is required and should create at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Manitoba (this cannot include owners of the business or relatives).
• Net worth: Must have a minimum of $500,000 and this should be verified by a third-party supplier and submitted to the MPNP along with a verification report, within 10 days of receiving the Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA)
• Minimum Business Investment:
  • For businesses situated in the Capital region of Manitoba it is $250,000
  • For businesses outside the Capital region it is $150,000

Steps to apply

1. Self-assessment – determine if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria and complete a self-assessment form. All applicants must obtain a score of 150 on their self-assessment.
2. Research the Business Concept and Explore Manitoba- All applicants are encouraged to make business visits to Manitoba to attend seminars conducted by the Business consulting unit (BCU). You would be required to submit a business concept before you can receive an invitation to apply.
3. Submit an expression of interest (EOI)
4. Submit a complete application – If the applicant meets all minimum eligibility criteria and the business concept is approved, you will receive a Letter of Advice to apply (LAA) from the MPNP. After receiving the LAA, applicants will have 120 days to submit an online application, together with a non-refundable processing fee of $2,500. (A complete application will include all documents in the checklist, copy of third-party verification report and a detailed business plan)
5. Application Assessment – This could include an invitation to attend an in-person interview. The applicant will also be asked to sign a business performance agreement, which is a contractual agreement between the applicant and the MPNP.
6. Once the Business performance agreement has been signed, the MPNP will issue a letter of support. The letter of support must be included when applying for a temporary work permit to the IRCC
7. Operate a business in Manitoba – The entrepreneur would be required to provide regular updates on the business performance to ensure all standards and conditions of the performance agreement are met.
8. Receive a MPNP nomination: All applicants who have satisfied the terms of the performance agreement will receive a nomination certificate from the Manitoba government. The applicant can thereafter apply for permanent residence using the nomination certificate.

3.2 Farm Investor Pathway

This stream is for applicants who have previous farm business experience with sufficient capital to invest in, establish and operate a farm in rural Manitoba. The products developed at the farm must be in-line with the province’s current farm industry.

Eligibility criteria

• Farm Business Experience: should have a minimum of three years farm ownership and experience operating a farm business
• Official language proficiency:  You would need to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in either English or French. You may be asked to come in for an interview to determine your language proficiency.
• Farm business investment:
•  You are expected to establish and operate a farming business in rural Manitoba and spend a minimum of $300,000.
• All business investments must be in eligible tangible assets. A business plan would need to be submitted along with the application.
• Farm business research visit – Prior to making any investments it is important that you do a business research visit to Manitoba
• Farm business activities:
• The business should have ongoing and recurring business activities in rural Manitoba
• You would be required to live on the farm and actively manage the daily operations of the farm
• The farm business should be in primary agriculture production and be economically viable and conduct value added farm business activities in the province
  

  *Third party farm managers cannot be used under the MPNP

• Economic establishment adaptability: 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.
• Net worth: you would need to show a net worth of at least $500,000. You would need to submit a verification report to verify that the financial information provided is accurate. The report needs to be submitted within 120 days of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA)

Steps to apply

1. Explore and research farm business in Manitoba: by making a research visit to Manitoba, which needs to be conducted no more than a year prior to submission of an interest Guidelines and Farm Business Concept to the MPNP. A key feature of this document is the proposed investment (minimum investment amount is $300,000 in rural Manitoba). The applicant needs to describe the nature of the activities that took place during the visit, including placers visited, contacts made, hotel receipts, airline tickets etc.
2. Completion of Interest Guidelines and Farm Business Concept forms: would include self-assessment details about their profile, including past education, adaptability, farm business experience, language proficiency and personal net-worth details.
3. Submission an Expression of interest, interest guidelines and farm business concept forms: The forms need to be submitted along with the code of conduct
4. Receive an LAA from the MPNP. If the applicant meets all minimum eligibility criteria you will receive a Letter of Advice to apply (LAA) from the MPNP. After receiving the LAA, applicants will have 120 days to submit an online application, together with a non-refundable processing fee.
5. Assessment of a Farm Investor Pathway application: This could include an invitation to attend an in-person interview to discuss the farm business plan.  A letter of approval will be issued and will contain a deposit agreement/contract. The applicant would be required to sign and date the deposit agreement and pay $75,000 deposit.
   

   *The deposit is refundable once the applicant meets all the requirements of the signed agreement.

6. Obtain Canadian Permanent Residence:Once the MPNP receives the deposit agreement, they will issue a nomination certificate. Applicants will be able to use the certificate to submit a permanent residence application to the IRCC.
7. Establish a Farm Business in Manitoba

The International Education Stream (IES) allows recent international graduates from Manitoba to apply for permanent residency through three distinct pathways:

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

4.1 Career Employment Pathway

The Career Employment Pathway is a nomination pathway for graduates from a post-secondary education institute and find long-term employment in an in-demand occupation in Manitoba. You would need to meet the below minimum eligibility criteria to qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

• Education: You must have graduated from a Manitoba post-secondary institution in the past 3 years, with a minimum of one-year study (two semesters) on a full-time basis.
• Official Language proficiency:   Minimum CLB 7 in English or French
• Current employment in Manitoba: You should have a full-time, minimum one-year job offer from an eligible Manitoba employer in an In-Demand occupation.
  

  *If you have completed a bridging program that has passed the initial stage of certification as determined by an appropriate regulatory body, you would not be required to have a job offer when applying.

• Settlement funds: Demonstrate sufficient funds for a six month period ( funds need to be liquid and equivalent to  Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources) OR you need to be employed on a full-time basis in a long-term position in the province.
• Adaptability: You must be living in Manitoba at the time of applying and must show intention to continue residing in the province after nomination. You would be required to submit a career employment plan, demonstrating opportunities for a future career path.

Steps to Apply

1. Be eligible under the Manitoba International Education Stream: Career Employment Pathway

2. Be eligible for the MPNP

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) – candidates will be scored out of 1000 points on the following factors: Language, Age, Work experience, Education, Adaptability, Risk Assessment.  The top candidates in the candidate pool will be issued a letter of advice to apply (LAAs). If you receive an LAA, then you must proceed to submit a fill application together with supporting documents. *The EOI is only valid for a year after submission. If you have not received an LAA during this period, you will have to submit a new EOI.
4. Receive an LAA: If you are ranked among the top candidates in the candidate pool, you will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). If you receive an LAA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application to the MPNP
5. Apply for Canadian Permanent residence

4.2 Graduate Internship Pathway

The Graduate Internship Pathway allows international master and doctoral graduates, who have contributed to industry innovation in Manitoba through internships, to apply for permanent residency in the province. Graduates who have completed an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba can apply to the MPNP straight after graduation, even if you do not have a job offer. All applicants would be required to attend a mandatory information session before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the MPNP.

Eligibility Criteria

• Education: Must have completed a full-time, Master or Doctoral program in Manitoba in the past 3 years.
• Official Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 7 in either English or French
• Internship in Manitoba:  Completed either a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship with an eligible industry and research enterprise in the province.
• Employment in Manitoba:  You do not need to have a job offer when applying
• Settlement Funds: Demonstrate sufficient funds for a six month period ( funds need to be liquid and equivalent to  Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements  for independent financial resources) OR you need to be employed on a full-time basis in a long-term position in the province.
• Adaptability: You must be living in Manitoba at the time of applying and must show intention to continue residing in the province after nomination. You would be required to submit a career employment plan, demonstrating opportunities for a future career path.

Steps to Apply

• Be eligible under the Manitoba International Education Stream: Graduate Internship pathway
• Be eligible for the MPNP
• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) – candidates will be scored out of 1000 points on the following factors: Language, Age, Work experience, Education, Adaptability, Risk Assessment.  The top candidates in the candidate pool will be issued a letter of advice to apply (LAAs). If you receive an LAA, then you must proceed to submit a fill application together with supporting documents. *The EOI is only valid for a year after submission. If you have not received an LAA during this period, you will have to submit a new EOI.
• Receive an LAA: If you are ranked among the top candidates in the candidate pool, you will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). If you receive an LAA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application to the MPNP
• Apply for Canadian Permanent residence

4.3 International Student Entrepreneur (Pilot) program

The International Student Entrepreneur pilot program will allow up to 20 international graduates (per year) from Manitoba, the chance to pursue entrepreneurship opportunities, rather than employment in Manitoba. If you meet all the conditions of your business performance agreement, you would be nominated for permanent residence.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business Experience:   You must have a business equity ownership of at-least 15% and submit a business plan along with your application.  You need to operate the business on a day-to-day basis as a senior manager while residing in Manitoba on a temporary work permit for at least 6 months prior to the nomination, as per the requirements outlined in the business performance agreement.
• Official language proficiency: Minimum CLB 7 in either English or French
• Education: Must have completed a minimum full-time, two-year post-secondary program in Manitoba
• Age: Between 21 – 35 years
• Adaptability: You must:
  • Have either a post graduate work permit or an open work permit at the time of application
  • Continuously resided in Manitoba after graduation and must show intention to continue living in Manitoba after nomination
• Net worth / settlement funds:
  • No deposit is required, but you would need to show liquid funds equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources for a one year period
  • The personal net worth will need to be verified by an approved third-party supplier
  • You would need to submit a verification report to verify the financial information provided. The report needs to be submitted within 120 days of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA)
• Business performance agreement:  You would be required to sign a business performance agreement before the MPNP can issue you an approval letter to carry out your business plan.
• You would be required to attend a mandatory information session prior to submitting any forms or documentation to the MPNP. You can email MPNP-BusinessStream@gov.mb.ca to register for an information session.

Steps to Apply

1. Be eligible under the Manitoba International Education Stream: International student entrepreneur pilot program
2. Be eligible for the MPNP
3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) – candidates will be scored out of 1000 points on the following factors: Language, Age, Work experience, Education, Adaptability, Risk Assessment.  The top candidates in the candidate pool will be issued a letter of advice to apply (LAAs). If you receive an LAA, then you must proceed to submit a fill application together with supporting documents. *The EOI is only valid for a year after submission. If you have not received an LAA during this period, you will have to submit a new EOI.
4. Receive an LAA: If you are ranked among the top candidates in the candidate pool, you will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). If you receive an LAA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application to the MPNP
5. Apply for Canadian Permanent residence