Located between the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan, the province of Manitoba is in many ways the gateway to western Canada.
Note: The Government of Manitoba unveiled its restructured Provincial Nominee Program on November 15, 2017. Some changes took effect at that time and others are set to come into effect at different points in 2018. This page will be updated accordingly.
With an economy based largely on natural resources and agriculture, it is a major driver of Canada’s wealth. Manitoba’s population of approximately 1.2 million is located largely in and around the capital city of Winnipeg. Manitobans benefit from tight-knit communities, a stable labour market, and sweeping natural wilderness.
The MPNP is Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate, which speeds up the overall immigration process.
The streams through which the province and potential candidates may immigrate to Manitoba are currently being renewed by the province. The following are streams that are currently active and/or ones that are being restructured as part of the MPNP renewal process:
- Skilled Worker Immigration Stream – including those in Manitoba and Overseas
- Note: Manitoba will target skilled workers through two distinct streams to be introduced in 2018.
- The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream will have two pathways:
- Manitoba Express Entry Pathway (First draw conducted on January 11, 2018)
- Manitoba Human Capital Pathway
- In-Demand occupations
- The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream will consist of two pathways:
- Manitoba Work Experience Pathway
- Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway
- The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream will have two pathways:
- Note: Manitoba will target skilled workers through two distinct streams to be introduced in 2018.
- Manitoba Business Investor Stream
- Note: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program – Business (MPNP-B) Stream is now renamed the Business Investor Stream. Renewed criteria for this stream are set to come into effect early 2018.
- The Business Investor Stream will consist of two pathways:
- Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway.
- Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway.
- The Business Investor Stream will consist of two pathways:
- Note: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program – Business (MPNP-B) Stream is now renamed the Business Investor Stream. Renewed criteria for this stream are set to come into effect early 2018.
- Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative – through the MPNP
- International Education Stream (new stream set to open in the second quarter of 2018)
Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker categories operate through an ‘Expression of Interest’ system, whereby eligible candidates complete a series of questions online and are not required to upload supporting documentation before submitting their profile into the EOI pool. Profiles will be placed in the pool with other eligible candidates and you will receive a score based on the answers you provide. The MPNP will then rank you using several factors and if you are among the highest-scoring candidates, you may be invited to submit an application to the MPNP. There are no limits on the number of candidates who can submit an Expression of Interest and no deadline.
There are two pathways to Manitoba as a skilled worker, both of which operate under the MPNP Expression of Interest System.
Skilled Worker in Manitoba
Under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba category, applications are accepted from qualified temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently working in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent, full-time job with their Manitoba employer. Unlike the other connections to Manitoba in the MPNP, Skilled Worker in Manitoba are not subject to a points-based assessment to determine their eligibility.
To learn more about the Skilled Worker in Manitoba immigration category, click here.
Note: Manitoba has created two new pathways under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream: Manitoba Work Experience and Employer Direct Recruitment. The renewed criteria for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba category are set to come into effect in the third quarter of 2018.
Skilled Worker Overseas
The Manitoba Skilled Worker overseas category uses a points-based system to assess candidates, who may be outside of Canada. Applications are accepted from qualified skilled workers who can demonstrate a strong connection to the province through family or friends (Manitoba Support), past education or employment (Manitoba Experience), or by invitation of the MPNP (Manitoba Invitation), and who score a minimum of 60 points according to five eligibility factors: age, language proficiency, work experience, education and adaptability.
To learn more about the Skilled Worker Overseas immigration category, click here.
Note: Manitoba has created two new immigration pathways under the Skilled Worker Overseas stream: Manitoba Express Entry and Human Capital. These pathways target eligible candidates from a list of in-demand occupations. The renewed criteria for the Skilled Worker Overseas category are set to come into effect in the third quarter of 2018.
Business Investor Stream (formerly MPNP-B)
Individuals who wish to do business in Manitoba can do so through this stream. This process operates on an ‘Expression of Interest’ system, whereby prospective applicants submit their intention to apply to the program, and the most qualified are invited to apply for immigration.
Note: The Business Investor Stream replaced the MPNP-B on November 15, 2017. Renewed criteria for Business Investor Stream are set to come into effect in the first quarter of 2018.
Farm Investor Pathway ( formerly Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative)
One particular initiative for immigration to Manitoba is the Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative. This rural town, situated 112 km southwest of Winnipeg, is actively looking for new immigrants in certain occupations. Immigration to Morden is conducted through the MPNP.
To learn more about eligibility requirements for all immigration streams under the Manitoba Nominee Program, click here.