Among Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is one of the most popular. It allows Manitoba to nominate immigrants for permanent residency in the province.
What is the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program?
Over 130,000 immigrants have arrived in Canada through the MPNP since it was launched in 1998. Manitoba is committed to increasing that number.
Over the past several years, the MPNP has been undergoing a slow transition, the MPNP Renewal, although it has experienced significant delays.
In many cases, the new pathways to the provincial nomination will be based on the existing International Skilled Worker stream, which will remain in effect until additional changes are made. For Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and the receipt of applications by the province, the MPNP criteria for this stream remain in effect, dividing it into Skilled Workers Overseas and Skilled Workers in Manitoba categories.
Under the revamped Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, there will be four streams, including a variety of ‘pathways’.
Manitoba Immigration Streams:
You have four options when it comes to immigrating to Manitoba:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream;
- Skilled Worker Overseas Stream;
- International Education Stream;
- Business Investor Stream;
Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream is for temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently employed in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent, full-time job.
The skilled Workers Overseas Stream is for skilled workers who may be outside of Canada, but have a strong connection to the province. Skilled workers already in Canada may also qualify.
Graduates of Manitoba post-secondary institutions who wish to stay permanently in Manitoba can apply for the International Education Stream.
Applicants seeking to establish a business in Manitoba may apply to the Manitoba Business Investor Stream.
Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream
Applicants are still invited to apply to the Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream, linked directly above, but below are two new pathways.
- Work Experience Pathway in Manitoba
- Pathway for Employer Direct Recruitment
Manitoba’s Work Experience Pathway targets skilled temporary workers and graduates who wish to settle in Manitoba permanently.
Manitoba’s Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway targets skilled foreign workers whose expertise is needed here.
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream
Candidates are still invited to apply to the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream, linked above, but two new pathways are listed below.
- Pathway for Express Entry
Manitoba Express Entry Pathway was launched in January 2018 as a way for Express Entry candidates to be nominated for permanent residency. In order to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence quickly and to expedite the process, successful applicants are awarded 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
- Pathway to Human Capital
The Manitoba Human Capital Pathway (HCP) is one of the upcoming changes to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, scheduled to take effect in 2019, but now deferred until 2020.
International Education Stream
With Manitoba’s new International Education Stream, international students graduating from Manitoba will have faster pathways to nomination.
- Pathway to Career Employment
- Pathway to Graduate Internships
- Pathway for student entrepreneurs
The Career Employment Pathway is a potential path to permanent residence for international graduates of Manitoba’s universities and colleges.
Manitoba Graduate Internship Pathway provides nomination pathways for international graduates of Master’s or Doctoral (Ph.D.) study programs who complete an internship contributing to Manitoba’s industry innovation.
International students who have graduated from Manitoba can pursue entrepreneurship through the Manitoba International Student Entrepreneur Pilot.
Business Investor Stream
The previous business immigration stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, known as MPNP-B, has been replaced by the new Business Investor Stream, which is subdivided into Entrepreneur and Farm Investor pathways.
- Pathway for entrepreneurs
Business investors and entrepreneurs who wish to purchase or begin a business in Manitoba can use the Manitoba Business Investor stream. In order to purchase an existing business in the province or start a new business, successful applicants will receive a temporary work permit and sign a business performance agreement.
- Pathway for Farm Investors
Investors and entrepreneurs who wish to purchase or start a farming business in Manitoba can apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway.
How does the Manitoba PNP work?
The Manitoba PNP process is as follows:
- The first step is to create an Expression of Interest profile.
- A Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) will be issued to the most qualified candidates with a Manitoba connection.
- MPNP officers carefully evaluate applicants.
- MPNP recommends qualified candidates.
You must apply for a permanent residence visa with the Government of Canada within 180 days of your nomination.
Conclusion
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in immigrating to Canada. With a wide range of options available, individuals can find the best fit for their individual circumstances. The MPNP also provides applicants with access to unique job and career opportunities that they may not otherwise have had access to. With its generous immigration policies, Manitoba has something to offer everyone looking for a new home in Canada.
