MPNP International Education Stream (IES)

The International Education Stream (IES) of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is aimed at international students graduating from post-secondary institutions in the province who meet the eligibility criteria for the various pathways. The International Education Stream (IES) prioritises international students through 3 specialised pathways:

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

Although this IES pathway is designed for international students graduating from Manitoba post-secondary institutions, graduates may also be eligible under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream.

A detailed article onMPNP requirements for the candidate.

Graduate Internship

This IES Graduate Internship Pathway is for international students with a master’s or doctoral degree from a Manitoba post-secondary institution who are taking part in internships contributing to innovation in the province. Students who have completed an internshipAccelerateorElevatewith Mitacs in Manitoba may apply to the programme immediately after graduating, with or without a job offer.

Note: the MPNP International Education Stream (IES) requires students interested in applying under the Graduate Internship Pathway to attend an information session before submittingExpression of Interest (EOI) for MPNP.

Eligibility

Criterion	Minimum requirements
Education	Completion of a master’s or doctoral programme in Manitoba within the past 3 years
Language proficiency	A minimum ofCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7
Current employment in Manitoba	Where the candidate has completed a master’s or doctoral programme in Manitoba with a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship (including Accelerate Entrepreneur) with eligible industry and research businesses in Manitoba, the candidate does not need a job offer at the time of application.
Settlement funds	The candidate must demonstrate liquid funds equivalent to the low income cut-off (LICO) requirement for independent financial support for 6 months, or the candidate must be employed in a full-time, long-term position in Manitoba.
Adaptability	The candidate must be residing in Manitoba at the time of application. The candidate must demonstrate an intention to continue residing in Manitoba after being nominated, including by submitting a Career Employment Plan showing the opportunities for a successful career path in Manitoba.

Career Employment

This International Education Stream (IES) pathway prioritises international graduates who find long-term employment in Manitoba in an in-demand occupation consistent with their education and training.

Eligibility

Criterion	Minimum requirements
Education	Graduated within the past 3 years from a designated post-secondary institution (a minimum of one year, two semesters, full-time course).
Language proficiency	A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7
Current employment in Manitoba	Must have a full-time job offer from an eligible current employer, with a contract of at least 1 year, in theManitoba in-demand occupations list, consistent with the candidate’s completed training. The candidate must be working full-time in Manitoba at the time the application is assessed.
Settlement funds	The candidate must demonstrate liquid funds equivalent to the low income cut-off (LICO) requirement for independent financial support for 6 months, or the candidate must be employed in a full-time, long-term position in Manitoba.
Adaptability	The candidate must be residing in Manitoba at the time of application. They must demonstrate an intention to continue residing in Manitoba after being nominated, including by submitting a career employment plan showing the opportunities for a successful career path in Manitoba.

Note:

• The MPNP may apply specific limits by programme or occupation.
• Graduates of Manitoba degree programmes are eligible where they have a job offer at anyNational Occupational Classification (NOC)0, A, B on the MPNP in-demand occupations list.

International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

This IES pilot provides an opportunity for up to 20 international students (each calendar year) graduating in Manitoba to pursue and establish a business in Manitoba on a temporary work permit. Where the candidate meets the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA), they are nominated by Manitoba for Canadian permanent residence.

All International Education Stream (IES) candidates interested in this category must attend an information session before submitting any forms to the MPNP.

Eligibility

Criterion	Minimum requirements
Business experience	A business plan is required as part of the application submitted to the MPNP. The candidate must operate the business as day-to-day senior manager from the business premises in Manitoba for at least 6 months before being nominated, while holding a valid temporary work permit, in accordance with the requirements of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA). The candidate must own at least 51% of the business equity.
Language proficiency	A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 (for this pathway, IELTS – Academic is accepted in addition to the other language proficiency tests).
Education	Completion of a full-time post-secondary programme in Manitoba of at least 2 years’ duration (distance learning programmes or compressed programmes are not eligible). Study or work and business experience outside Canada is regarded as an advantage but is not an eligibility requirement.
Age	21-35
Adaptability	The candidate must: – Hold anopen work permitorpost-graduation work permit (PGWP)valid at the time of application – Have resided continuously in Manitoba since graduating – Demonstrate an intention to continue residing in Manitoba after being nominated.
Net worth/settlement funds	No deposit is required. A minimum net worth is not an eligibility criterion; however, net worth or the source of funds is considered in assessing the potential to implement the business plan successfully. The candidate must demonstrate liquid funds equivalent to the low income cut-off (LICO) requirement for independent financial support for 6 months. Personal net worth is verified by a third-party provider approved by the MPNP. The verification report, together with the application, must be submitted to the MPNP within 120 days of receiving theLAA.
The Business Performance Agreement	Once the application is approved, a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) must be signed before the MPNP issues a support letter for the candidate to apply for a temporary work permit.

The application process

• Create a profileExpression of Interest (EOI).
• If you receive aLetter of Advice to Apply (LAA)then submit a full application to the MPNP.
• The application is thoroughly assessed by MPNP staff.
• Successful candidates are nominated by the MPNP.
• Within 180 days of the date of nomination, submit a separate application to the Government of Canada for permanent residence for the candidate and their family.

General notes

• International Education Stream (IES) candidates should consult theManitoba in-demand occupations list(for the Career Employment Pathway) and make sure they meet the language, financial and adaptability requirements.
• For the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot, attending an information session is mandatory in order to understand the requirements and the application process.
• The IES pathways focus on retaining international students in Manitoba, contributing to the province’s economic development through employment or business.