Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is Manitoba’s principal immigration programme for foreign workers and entrepreneurs who wish to settle in the province.

The province of Manitoba, lying between Ontario and Saskatchewan, is regarded as the gateway to Western Canada. It was the first province to launch aProvincial Nominee Program (PNP)in 1998. As a small province with few immigrants, Manitoba needed a PNP to market itself as an attractive destination for skilled newcomers. Since then, Manitoba has enjoyed considerable immigration success, with the PNP playing a key role in the province’s population, workforce and economic growth.

Overview of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

The MPNP was Canada’s firstProvincial Nominee Program (PNP), becoming a permanent immigration programme in 1998. It was designed to drive the provincial economy through immigration, based on economic and labour market needs.

In its first year, the MPNP welcomed 418 new immigrants. Today the province nominates more than 5,000 immigrants a year through the programme. Without the MPNP, Manitoba’s GDP could be up to 30% lower.

Manitoba is very popular with newcomers. Having friends or relatives in Manitoba makes it easier to immigrate through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). More than 90% of provincial nominees find work in their first year, and the retention rate is close to 90%.

The MPNP has base streams and enhanced streams. Enhanced streams are linked to theExpress Entrysystem, the federal government’s management system for permanent residence applications through three main economic immigration programmes.

The Express Entry system scores candidates under theComprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence. A nomination from an enhanced provincial programme adds a further 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing anInvitation to Apply (ITA)for permanent residence. Base streams are not linked to Express Entry, and nominated candidates must apply directly toImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Detailed article on theMPNP requirements for candidates.

Manitoba’s immigration streams

Candidates who wish to immigrate to Manitoba through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) have the following five options:

• The Skilled Workers in Manitoba streamis for eligible temporary foreign workers and international graduates currently working in Manitoba who have been offered full-time, long-term employment by a Manitoba employer.
• The Skilled Workers Overseas streamis for eligible skilled workers who may be outside Canada but can demonstrate a strong connection to the province. Skilled workers already in Canada may also qualify under this category.
• The Manitoba Business Investor Streamis for candidates who wish to establish a business in Manitoba.
• The Manitoba International Education Streamis for international students who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Manitoba and wish to settle permanently in the province.
• The Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiativeis for welders, carpenters, cooks, plumbers and pipefitters who wish to settle in the rural town of Morden.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

Detailed article on thethe Skilled Worker category.

This Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) stream is for eligible temporary foreign workers and international graduates currently working in Manitoba who have received a full-time, long-term job offer from a Manitoba employer. The stream comprises two pathways:

Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

Detailed article on theWork Experience category.

For those working in Manitoba on a temporary work permit, including temporary workers and international students who have graduated from Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

Detailed article on theEmployer Direct Recruitment category.

Candidates must be interviewed by an MPNP representative and a Manitoba employer, usually outside Canada. A Letter of Advice to Apply must be received before applying through this pathway.

Application fee

• $500 CAD

Processing time

• 6 months

Minimum requirements

• Be a temporary foreign worker or an international graduate
• Yeswork permitorPost-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)valid
• Hold a full-time, long-term job offer from a current employer in Manitoba
• Have worked for the current employer for at least six continuous months
• Hold all the qualifications required for the position, including the required training/education and licences/certifications
• Demonstrate English or French proficiency sufficient to perform the job duties
• Have a stronger connection to Manitoba through employment than to any other province in Canada
• Have the intention and the ability to live, work and establish family life in Manitoba as a permanent resident, as demonstrated by a settlement plan
• Have sufficient funds (CAD$10,000 for the principal applicant and CAD$2,000 for each dependant)
• The employer must have a registered commercial business that has been operating for at least three years
• Working conditions must be equivalent to those of Canadian citizens or permanent residents

How the process works

• Submit anExpression of Interest (EOI)by answering the online questions to receive a score.
• The highest-scoring candidates may be invited to apply to the MPNP
• If successful, receive the provincial nomination from Manitoba and use it to apply for a permanent residence visa directly with the federal government of Canada
• Under the Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway, candidates are interviewed outside Canada by an MPNP representative and a Manitoba employer before receiving a Letter of Advice to Apply

Category	Job offer required?	Additional requirements
Manitoba Work Experience Pathway	Yes	Must have eligible work experience and be living and working in Manitoba.
Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway	Yes	Must have eligible work experience.

Skilled Workers Overseas

Detailed article on theSkilled Workers Overseas category.

This Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) stream is for eligible skilled workers who may be outside Canada but have a strong connection to the province. Skilled workers already in Canada may also qualify. The stream comprises two pathways:

Express Entry Manitoba

Detailed article on theMPNP Express Entry Manitoba

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Express Entry pathway is for those with an active Express Entry profile who are eligible under another MPNP stream, have experience in an occupation on Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations list, and have a strong connection to Manitoba.

Human Capital

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Human Capital pathway is for skilled foreign workers with experience in an occupation on Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations list.

Application fee

• $500 CAD

Processing time

• 6 months

Minimum requirements

• Score at least 60 out of 100 points on the assessment grid
• Have a connection to Manitoba through the support of friends or family living in the province, previous work or study experience in the province, or an invitation to apply from the MPNP. Additional requirements apply depending on the type of connection
• Have at least six months of experience in an in-demand occupation
• Submit a complete Career Plan;
• Be aged 18 or over.

How the process works

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by answering the online questions to receive a score.
• The highest-scoring candidates may be invited to apply to the MPNP.
• If successful, receive the provincial nomination from Manitoba and use it to apply for a permanent residence visa directly with the federal government of Canada. Express Entry candidates may do so through the Express Entry system.

Category	Job offer required?	Additional requirements
Manitoba Express Entry Pathway	No	– Must have a valid Express Entry profile with a Job Seeker Validation Code – Meet the minimum language requirement (CLB 6 forNational Occupational Classification (NOC)B, CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A) – Have sufficient funds for six months.
Human Capital Pathway	No	– Meet the minimum language requirement (CLB 5 for NOC 0, A or B – CLB 6 for compulsory trades – CLB 7 for regulated occupations) – Have completed at least a one-year post-secondary programme – If the occupation requires a licence/certification, must apply to the regulatory body for a qualifications assessment – Have sufficient funds for six months.

Manitoba Business Investor Stream

Detailed article on theBusiness Investor Stream (BIS) category.

For those who wish to establish a business in Manitoba, comprising two pathways:

Farm Investor

Detailed article on theFarm Investor Pathway (FIP) category.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Farm Investor pathway is for those with farm business experience who wish to immigrate in order to establish and operate a farm in Manitoba.

Entrepreneur

Detailed article on theManitoba Entrepreneur category.

This allows the province to recruit and nominate eligible foreign business owners to Manitoba. They must have the intention and the ability to establish or purchase a new business, or become a part-owner of an existing one, within two years of arriving in Manitoba on a temporary work permit.

Application fee

• $2.500 CAD

Processing time

• 6 months

The Farm Investor Pathway process

• Candidates must make an agricultural research visit to Manitoba no more than one year before starting the process.
• Complete the Guide of Interest (a self-assessment of your circumstances) and the Farm Business Concept form, then submit them. A Code of Conduct for immigration representatives must also be submitted where applicable.
• On receiving aLetter of Advice to Apply (LAA), you may apply to the Farm Investor Pathway. You may be invited to an interview with an MPNP representative.
• If approved, you receive a Deposit Agreement (a contract) which must be signed, together with a CAD$75,000 deposit. Once the nomination is received, you may apply directly to the federal government of Canada for permanent residence.

The Entrepreneur Pathway process

• Determine whether you are eligible
• Research your business idea, explore Manitoba and prepare the Business Concept Form
• Submit anExpression of Interest (EOI)together with the Business Concept Form, the Self-Assessment Form and the Code of Conduct for immigration representatives (where applicable).
• If you meet the minimum criteria and your Business Concept is approved, you receive an officialLetter of Advice to Apply (LAA).
• Submit a complete application to the MPNP. You may be invited to an in-person interview.
• If the application is successful, you are required to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA), a contractual agreement between the candidate and the MPNP.
• Arrive in Manitoba, operate the business and provide regular updates on its performance.
• Once the terms and conditions of the BPA are met, you receive the provincial nomination for permanent residence.
• Use the nomination to apply for a permanent residence visa directly with the federal government of Canada.

Category	Minimum requirements
Farm Investor Pathway	– Have at least three years of experience managing a farm business or owning and operating a farm – Be proficient in English or French – Invest at least CAD$300,000 – Intend to establish a farm business in rural Manitoba – Submit a farm business plan – Make a Farm Business Research Visit – Intend to live on the farm and take part in managing the farm business – Have a net worth of at least CAD$500,000.
Entrepreneur Pathway	– Have three years of experience as an active business owner or senior manager in a successful business within the past five years – Meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 5 – Hold at least the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school diploma – Invest at least CAD$250,000 if the business is in the Manitoba Capital Region (the Winnipeg area), or CAD$150,000 if outside the Manitoba Capital Region – The business must create at least one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Manitoba – Submit a business plan – Make a Business Research Visit no more than one year before submitting the EOI – Sign a Business Performance Agreement once the application is approved – Have a net worth of at least CAD$500,000.

International Education

Detailed article on theInternational Education Stream (IES) category.

The International Education Stream (IES) is designed to give Manitoba graduates who meet industry needs faster pathways to permanent residence. The stream has three pathways:

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

Application fee

• Career Employment Pathway: CAD$500
• Graduate Internship Pathway: CAD$500
• International Student Entrepreneur Pathway: CAD$2,500

Processing time

• 6 months

How the process works

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by answering the online questions to receive a score.
• The highest-scoring candidates may be invited to apply to the MPNP
• If successful, receive the provincial nomination from Manitoba and use it to apply for a permanent residence visa directly with the federal government of Canada

Category	Job offer required?	Minimum requirements
Career Employment Pathway	Yes	– Have graduated (from a programme of at least one year/two semesters) from a Manitoba post-secondary institution within the past three years – Meet theCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 – Hold a full-time job offer of at least one year from an eligible current employer in an In-Demand Occupation – Have sufficient funds for six months or be working in a long-term full-time position in Manitoba – Be living in Manitoba at the time of application.
Graduate Internship Pathway	No	– Hold a master’s or doctoral degree from Manitoba obtained within the past three years; meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 7 – Have completed a Mitacs internshipElevateorAccelerate (including Accelerate Entrepreneur) in an eligible research field and business in Manitoba – Have sufficient funds for six months or be working in a long-term full-time position in Manitoba – Be living in Manitoba at the time of application.
International Student Entrepreneur Pathway	No	– Submit a business plan – Run the day-to-day operations of a business in Manitoba for at least six months before being nominated – Own at least 51% of the business – Meet the language requirement of CLB 7 – Have completed a full-time post-secondary programme of at least two years in Manitoba – Be aged between 21 and 35 – Have sufficient funds for six months – Hold a valid open work permit orPost-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) – Have lived in Manitoba since graduating – Intend to continue living in Manitoba – Sign a Business Performance Agreement once the application is approved.

Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative

Detailed article on theMorden Community Driven Immigration Initiative (MCDII) category.

Morden, Manitoba is a town 112 km south-west of Winnipeg. The town is actively seeking newcomers in specific occupations that meet its labour market needs. Those who succeed under this initiative become Canadian permanent residents.

To qualify, candidates must meet the age, education, language and work experience requirements, and must have no connection to any other part of Canada. In addition, candidates must intend to live in Morden and have sufficient funds to settle.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)