MPNP or immigration options to Manitoba Canada
Ernesto is a citizen of the Philippines who wishes to move to Canada. Since many of his friends live in Manitoba, Ernesto is considering this province as his destination. Of course, Ernesto intends to explore all immigration options to Manitoba or rather MPNP. Consequently, he is willing to take all of them into account and eventually decide what to do.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) started in 1998. Consequently, the first group of provincial immigrants arrived in the province in 1999. MPNP has been a successful option for immigration to Canada since then. For example, 12,545 people immigrated to Manitoba in 2019 alone. Regardless, the government intends to increase this number in 2021. However, if you want to immigrate to Manitoba, you need to see if you qualify, so continue reading this article. Of course, if you are not familiar with PNP options, read my article on this subject first.
Table of contents
- MPNP options
- MPNP for Skilled Workers
- International Education Stream (IES)
- MPNPB – Business Investor Stream
- Who may not apply under MPNP
- Interested? Contact us!
MPNP options
Immigration options to Manitoba have gone through several changes since its inception. Of course, the current article reflects the existing options in 2020. Regardless, we expect no major changes in 2021 other than increasing the number of immigrants they accept. Here is a list of the current options.
I’ll try to explain each option briefly.
MPNP for Skilled Workers
The province of Manitoba accepts hundreds of applicants under the Skilled Workers Stream. Of course, the main reason is to address the needs of the local employers. However, you must qualify under one of these options:
Of course, you may continue reading to learn the basic requirements.
Skilled Workers in Manitoba
The minimum requirements for this MPNP option include the following. However, the devil is in the details.
- Eligible skilled work experience in Canada
- Six months for international student graduates from eligible schools in Manitoba
- Six months for eligible temporary foreign workers in Manitoba
- One year for international student graduates from eligible schools elsewhere in Canada
- Having a valid job offer from an eligible employer in Manitoba
- Meeting the employment requirements of the offered job.
- Having access to the settlement funds for most applicants
- Showing a presentable settlement plan to reside in Manitoba
Skilled Workers Overseas
The minimum requirements for this MPNP option include the following. However, the devil is in the details.
- The applicant must demonstrate a strong connection to Manitoba via one of the following options:
- Supporter: You must have a supporter in Manitoba. Of course, this person could be a friend or a relative. Regardless, they must be a citizen or permanent resident and reside in Canada. Nonetheless, they must support your settlement plan.
- Study or work in Canada: You must show you have studied in Canada in the past. However, they only accept eligible study programs. Of course, you may alternatively show previous work experience in Canada.
- Invitation to Apply: The province may, at their own initiative, invite some people to apply. Of course, they follow certain requirements.
- The applicant submits an online Express of Interest that has a point system. Of course, the more point you receive, your chances of success are higher. Regardless, the point system includes language, age, work experience, education and adaptability.
International Education Stream (IES)
This is a new MPNP option and includes the following subcategories:
Career Employment Pathway
Under this new MPNP program, you must meet the following criteria. Of course, these are the minimum requirements:
- Be a graduate of an eligible school and program in Manitoba. However, your graduation must be in the past three years.
- Take a language test. Of course, you must be CLB or NCLC 7 under each language skill. Thus, the language requirements are similar to FSWC under the Express Entry system.
- Have a valid job offer from a Manitoban employer. Of course, the offer must fall under the In-Demand Occupations List.
- Have access to enough settlement funds. Of course, the reference for settlement funds is the LICO table. However, if you have a full-time job in Manitoba, you could be exempt from showing settlement funds.
- You must be residing in Manitoba at the time of application. Moreover, convince the immigration authorities you intend to reside in Manitoba. Thus you must submit a Career Employment Plan to show you really want to work and live in Manitoba.
Graduate Internship Pathway
Under this new MPNP program, you must meet the following criteria. Of course, these are the minimum requirements:
- Have completed a master’s or doctorate program in Manitoba. However, your graduation must be in the past three years.
- Take a language test. Of course, you must be CLB or NCLC 7 under each language skill. Thus, the language requirements are similar to FSWC under the Express Entry system.
- You must complete a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate (including Accelerate Entrepreneur) internship with an eligible industry and research enterprise in Manitoba. Therefore, consult the Mitcas website for more information.
- Have access to enough settlement funds. Of course, the reference for settlement funds is the LICO table. However, if you have a full-time job in Manitoba, you could be exempt from showing settlement funds.
- You must be residing in Manitoba at the time of application. Moreover, convince the immigration authorities you intend to reside in Manitoba. Thus you must submit a Career Employment Plan to show you really want to work and live in Manitoba.
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
Under this new MPNP program, you must meet the following criteria. Of course, these are the minimum requirements:
- Show business ownership and management in Manitoba. Of course, you must own at least 51% of a business in Manitoba. Moreover, you must show at least six months of operating the business as a senior manager.
- Take a language test. However, you must be CLB or NCLC 7 under each language skill. Thus, the language requirements are similar to FSWC under the Express Entry system.
- You must complete an eligible 2-year or more training program in Manitoba. Of course, MPNP will also consider your outside-province work or education program. However, your outside-province education or experience is not part of the minimum requirement.
- Your age must fall between 21 and 35. Consequently, if your age falls outside this range, consider other potential options.
- Have access to enough settlement funds. Of course, the reference for settlement funds is the LICO table. However, if you have a full-time job in Manitoba, you could be exempt from showing settlement funds.
- You must have resided in Manitoba since graduation. Also, you must hold a valid open work permit or a PGWP. Moreover, convince the immigration authorities you intend to reside in Manitoba.
- Showing a minimum net worth is not mandatory. However, you must convince MPNP you have enough financial resources to operate your business in Manitoba.
If Manitoba approves the application, you must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). Therefore, you promise them to stay in Manitoba and continue operating your business.
MPNP-B – Business Investor Stream
MPNP-B stands for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Business. Consequently, it covers two MPNP options:
Let’s explore these two options. Of course, you may pursue them if you have enough capital to invest in Manitoba and meet other options.
The Entrepreneur Pathway
The first group of MPNP clients I’ve ever represented was under this program, so it is very near and dear to me. However, if you intend to apply, make sure you meet the following criteria. Of course, these are the minimum requirements:
- Show business ownership and management in for at least two years out of the past five years. Of course, you must have been either a senior manager or a business owner. Moreover, as a business owner, you must have owned at least one-third of the business.
- Take a language test. Nevertheless, you must be CLB or NCLC 5 under each language skill. Thus, the language requirements are similar to CEC with NOC B experience under the Express Entry system.
- You must hold a high school diploma or more. Of course, if you have studied outside Canada, you must show an ECA report.
- There is no age limit. However, you only receive points if your age falls between 25 and 49. Consequently, if your age falls outside this range, you could lose the competition to other applicants.
- MPNP expects a minimum investment of C$250,000 by the applicant. However, if your business will be outside the Manitoba Capital Region, you could commit to C$150,000 or more.
- You must conduct an exploratory visit to the province. Of course, they only accept business research visits that happened in less than 12 months from applying. Moreover, you must submit a detailed business plan.
- Showing a minimum net worth is mandatory. Of course, your net worth must be at least C$500,000.
If Manitoba approves the application, you must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). Therefore, you promise them to stay in Manitoba and continue operating your business there.
Extra points for adaptability under the Entrepreneur Pathway
You could receive adaptability points for any of the following reasons.
- Your spouse knows of one of the official languages of Canada. However, the CLB equivalency must be five or higher.
- Either you or your spouse show CLB 5 or higher in the second official language of Canada. Of course, if the first language you master is English, then the second one will be French and vice versa.
- Your child is an international student in Manitoba. However, they must show at least six months of full-time studies in an eligible program in Manitoba.
- Either you or your spouse shows eligible work or study experience in Manitoba. Of course, conditions apply.
Keep in mind the Entrepreneur Pathway results in a work permit. However, if you stay in Manitoba and invest and work, you will eventually become a permanent resident. Needless to say, MPNP will assist you in achieving this goal.
The Farm Investor Pathway
You could immigrate to Manitoba as a farmer. However, if you intend to apply, make sure you meet the following MPNP criteria. Of course, these are the minimum requirements:
- Show three years of farm ownership and operation experience.
- Manitoba does not expect you to show official language test results. However, they will interview you to ensure you have enough working knowledge of English or French languages.
- MPNP expects a minimum investment of C$300,000 by the applicant. Of course, the investment will be on a farm in rural areas of Manitoba.
- You must conduct an exploratory visit to the province. Obviously, the focus must be on farms in Manitoba.
- Showing a minimum net worth is mandatory. Of course, your net worth must be at least C$500,000. Regardless, a designated third party will verify your net worth.
If Manitoba approves the application, you must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). Therefore, you promise them to stay in Manitoba and continue operating your farm.
Who may not apply under MPNP
The following people may not apply under MPNP. However, they could be eligible for other immigration options.
- Refugee claimants
- People who are dealing with a removal order
- People who are facing an immigration proceeding
- Temporary foreign workers who are working in other Canadian provinces
- Live-in caregivers currently living in Canada
- Spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- People who have a refused MPNP application in the past six months: Of course, they could proceed within this time period only if they address the issue that caused the refusal.
- People who have an active immigration application with another province of Canada, such as Ontario.
Needless to say, MPNP may change this list at any time.
Interested? Contact us!
If you believe you meet the requirements of an MPNP option, contact us. We will review your information and will get back to you as soon as possible.
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If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.
Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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