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Manitoba is a province in Canada known for its diverse landscapes, from the vast prairies to the boreal forests and the rocky Canadian Shield. It is home to many beautiful national and provincial parks, including Riding Mountain National Park, Whiteshell Provincial Park, and Churchill Provincial Park.
Manitoba is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with many museums, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. Additionally, Manitoba is a great place to experience outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing. The province also has a rich history fundamental to its unique culture.
Manitoba and its capital city Winnipeg are ideally located in North America's heart. Manitoba is a significant transportation and trade hub due to its location along the continent's North-South trade corridor. The city has rail, road, sea, and air connections to the rest of the continent and the outside world.
Also called the "Land of 100,000 Lakes," Manitoba has a diversified economy led by manufacturing, agriculture, hydroelectricity, and mining. Most foreign nationals immigrate here through the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (Manitoba PNP, or MPNP). Since the economy of Manitoba is mainly dependent on natural resources, agriculture is the province's main economic driver. Manitoba attracts many immigrants who benefit from the tight-knit farming communities, stable labour market, and picturesque landscape.
Through the Manitoba PNP, immigrants, who possess the skills and experience identified by the province, can receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate. Holding such a certificate speeds up the immigration process significantly.
You can apply for permanent residency through four streams currently operating under the MPNP.
For Those Who Have Studied in Manitoba:
International Education Stream
This stream targets international students who have graduated from tertiary institutions in Manitoba to provide faster nomination options for those seeking long-term employment in an in-demand occupation. Under this stream are three pathways, the Career Employment Pathway, Graduate Internship Pathway, and Student Entrepreneur Pathway.
Under the Career Employment Pathway, the province can nominate international students who have graduated from a post-secondary institution and seek long-term employment in an in-demand occupation. After graduation, you can also apply to the MPNP if you have a valid job offer from a Manitoban employer.
Please note that if you studied in another province or territory in Canada as an international student or do not have an in-demand occupation, you may still be eligible to apply under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream.
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Requirements for the Career Employment Pathway: |
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| Completed at least one year's duration at a post-secondary institution; |
| Have a minimum language score of 7 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC); |
| Have a job offer from a valid Manitoban employer for a contract that lasts for a minimum of one year and matches an in-demand job; |
| Are currently employed in the province; |
| Have sufficient funds that match the Low Income Cut Off requirements for six months or are employed in a full-time position in the province; |
| Have applied to the program while living in the province; |
| Have the intention to stay in the province after nomination and provide a Career Employment Plan to show your future career path in the province; and |
| Have met all of the requirements for the MPNP |
Suppose you have completed a bridging course and have passed the initial certification for the system by a regulatory body. In that case, you do not need a job offer from a Manitoban employer.
If you are a Doctoral or Master's graduate, you could apply under the Graduate Internship Pathway. This pathway is designed for faster provincial nomination processing, those who can bring innovation to Manitoba's markets.
Suppose you graduated under the Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs. In that case, you can automatically apply to the Manitoba PNP after graduation, even if you do not have a job offer.
You must book an information session with the Manitoban government for additional information about the program. This information session must be booked before you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the MPNP.
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Requirements for the Graduate Internship Pathway: |
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| Have completed a Master's or Doctoral program in Manitoba that lasted at least three years; |
| Have scored at least a seven on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC); |
| Have completed an internship under either Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate in an eligible industry; |
| Have sufficient funds to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for six months or have a current job in Manitoba in your current field of study in a permanent position; |
| Have applied for the pathway while living in the province; |
| Have the intention to live in the province after receiving a nomination and supply a Career Employment Plan to show your plans for future employment in the province; and |
| Have met all of the requirements for the MPNP |
The Student Entrepreneur Pathway is one of the minor pathway options under the International Education Stream. It invites 20 international students who have graduated from Manitoba institutions and are interested in starting and owning their businesses in the province.
All applicants must meet the requirements listed under the Business Performance Agreement before being nominated for permanent residence in the province.
Before you apply through the MPNP, you must book an information session with Manitoba Immigration.
If you graduated from an educational institution in Canada outside of Manitoba, you might still be able to apply through the Business Investor Pathway.
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Requirements for the Student Entrepreneur Pathway: |
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| Have a business plan to submit with your MPNP application; |
| Have operated your business as a senior manager for at least six months while meeting all the requirements of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) before being nominated by the province; |
| Have ownership of at least 51% of the business; |
| Have scored at least a seven on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC). Please note that the Academic language test options are accepted for IELTS and TEF; |
| Have completed a post-secondary program in the province that lasted at least two years; |
| Have applied while you are between the ages of 21 and 35; |
| Have a valid work permit or post-graduation work permit (PGWP) when you use; |
| Have plans to live in the province after receiving a Provincial Nomination; |
| I have lived in the province since graduating from university; |
| Have demonstrated that you meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for independent financial resources for twelve months; |
| Have verified your net worth through a third-party supplier with the approval of the MPNP; |
| Have submitted a verification report with your application through the MPNP within 120 days of getting your Letter of Advice to Apply; |
| Have met the Business Performance Agreement signed before your MPNP that has approved your Approval in Principle Letter for your business plan; and |
| Have completed all of the requirements of the MPNP |
Find out more about the Manitoba IES and how to apply here.
For Those Wanting to Invest or Start a Business in Manitoba:
Business Investor Stream
According to this stream, Manitoba can nominate and recruit qualified entrepreneurs and business investors. These persons can and intend to purchase or start a business in the province.
There are two pathways for the Business Investor stream:
- The Entrepreneur Pathway; and
- The Farm Investor Pathway
Entrepreneur Pathway
The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway is a business immigration stream offered by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) that allows experienced business owners and entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency in the province.
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Requirements for the Entrepreneur Pathway: |
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| At least three years of experience in the past five years of actively managing or owning a business; |
| The equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma; |
| There is no age limit. However, ranking points are assigned to applicants between 25 and 49 years old; |
| Have scored a five on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC). Please note that the Academic language test options are accepted for IELTS and TEF; |
| Invest a minimum of $250,000 if the business is located within the Manitoba Capital Region or $150,000 if it is located outside of the Manitoba Capital Region; |
| The investment must be made in a business that qualifies as eligible under the MPNP; |
| The business must create a full-time position for at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Manitoba (excluding close family members); |
| Conduct an exploratory visit to Manitoba and submit a business proposal based on your findings; |
| You must have a minimum net worth of $500,000; |
| Meet the Business Performance Agreement signed before your MPNP that has approved your Approval in Principle Letter for your business plan; and |
| Meet all of the requirements of the MPNP |
Farm Investor Pathway
The Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway program offers permanent residency to individuals with farm business experience and sufficient capital to invest in a new farm in rural Manitoba.
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Requirements for the Farm Investor Pathway: |
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| At least three years of experience in farm ownership and management supported by verifiable documents; |
| You will be required to live on the farm, and it must have ongoing and recurring business activities in Manitoba; |
| There is no age limit. However, ranking points are assigned to applicants between 25 and 49 years old; |
| You will need to conduct your interview for the Farm Investment Pathway in either English or French; |
| Invest a minimum of $300,000 in a farm in rural Manitoba; |
| The investment must be made in a farm that qualifies as eligible under the MPNP. You cannot invest in a farm for passive income or speculative purposes; |
| The farm must be in an active primary agriculture industry; |
| Conduct a farm business research visit to Manitoba and submit a business proposal based on your findings; |
| You must have a minimum net worth of $500,000; |
| Meet all of the requirements of the MPNP |
For Those With a Job Offer in Manitoba
Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream
This immigration stream targets individuals connected to Manitoba through the educational background, work experience, training, employment, skills, and language proficiency needed to contribute to the province's economic and community growth.
To qualify for this stream, you must meet all the minimum requirements.
There are two pathways for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream.
Manitoba Work Experience Pathway
Temporary foreign workers, out-of-province international student graduates, and Manitoba graduates with jobs not included in the province's In-demand Occupations list can follow this pathway.
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To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Be a temporary foreign worker or international student who graduated from a Manitoban institution in an occupation included in the In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for a minimum of six months; or |
| Be an international student who graduated from a tertiary institution outside of Manitoba in an occupation included in the province's In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for a minimum of 12 months; or |
| Be a temporary foreign worker in an occupation that is not included in the province's In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for at least 12 months with an LMIA-supported or LMIA-exempt work permit; or |
| Be an international student who graduated from a Manitoban institution in an occupation that is not included on the province's In-demand Occupations list, where you have worked for at least 12 months; |
| Be living or working in Manitoba when you apply; |
| Have a full-time, long-term job offer from the same company you have been working for that meets the province's wage and employment standards for the occupation; |
| Have work conditions that are the same as those for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; |
| Be offered a job that is not based at home; |
| Possess the minimum language requirements determined by the type of employment; and |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba, demonstrated in a Settlement Plan. |
Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway
If you received an Invitation to Apply from the MPNP after being interviewed outside of Canada by an employer and an officer of the MPNP, you could use this pathway.
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To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Have at least three years of relevant work experience within the last five years of employment; |
| Have a long-term, full-time job offer that is in line with the wage and employment standards for the particular job, as set by the province; |
| Have working conditions that are consistent with those of Canadian citizens and permanent residents; |
| Be offered a job that is not based at home; |
| Have a job offer from an employer whose business has been in operation in Manitoba for a minimum of three years before you applied; |
| Possess the minimum language requirements determined by the type of employment; |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba; |
| Be between 21 and 45 years old; |
| Have the necessary qualifications and educational background needed to do the job; and |
| Be offered a job from an employer who meets the specific employer eligibility criteria. |
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream
The Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas immigration stream is a program offered by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) that allows foreign workers with the skills and experience needed in Manitoba's labour market to apply for permanent residency in the province.
Under this stream, Manitoba selects and nominates skilled workers who meet the eligibility criteria and have demonstrated a connection to the province through previous work experience, education or training in Manitoba, or family connections. Applicants connected to Manitoba through family members or friends, work experience, or an Invitation to Apply issued by the MPNP can apply for this stream.
You must also satisfy the minimum entry requirements, including a score of at least 60 points, to be considered for a nomination.
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To be Eligible For This Pathway, You Must: |
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| Have full-time work experience for a minimum of six months; |
| Meet the minimum language requirements; |
| Have the required licensure, certification, and qualifications needed for the position; |
| Be at least 18 years old at the time of submission. There is no maximum age; however, no points are awarded if you are over 45 years old; |
| Have the required settlement funds, as determined by Manitoba, for six months; |
| Have the intention and ability to stay in Manitoba; and |
| Have the support of a close relative that has lived in the province for a minimum of one year; or |
| Have previously completed some form of tertiary education within the past five years in Manitoba; or |
How To Apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
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The Three Basic Steps of Immigrating to Manitoba Through the MPNP |
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| Step 1 – Create an Expression of Interest (EOI). Candidates are required to create an online profile and answer several questions. They are then assigned a score based on their answers and placed in the Manitoba EOI pool with other eligible candidates. |
| Step 2 – As in the Express Entry program, the candidates will be ranked. The highest-ranking candidates with skills and experience that meet Manitoba's labour requirements will be invited to submit a Manitoba PNP application through a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). Upon receiving an LAA, candidates have only 60 days to submit a complete and accurate application to Manitoba. |
| Step 3 – The provincial government assesses and then nominates successful candidates. |
If you want to move to Manitoba but aren't sure which one of these streams is for you, you should enlist the help of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Our RCICs have years of experience helping hundreds of applicants start a new life in Canada.
Why Immigrate To Manitoba?
Manitoba has many unique factors that make it a fantastic place to live. To give you an idea, here are just five reasons people make Manitoba their new home.
Affordable Cost of Living
Manitoba has a relatively low cost of living compared to other Canadian provinces. Housing, food, transportation, and healthcare are all affordable, which means you can enjoy a good standard of living without breaking the bank.
High Quality of Life
Manitoba offers a high quality of life with access to excellent healthcare, education, and recreational opportunities. In addition, the province has beautiful natural scenery, including lakes, forests, and hiking trails, which make it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Friendly and Welcoming Community
Manitoba is known for its friendly and welcoming community. The province has a rich cultural diversity and a strong sense of community, which makes it easy to make friends and feel at home.
Strong Economy
Manitoba has a diverse and growing economy with industries ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to finance and technology. The province has a low unemployment rate and a high demand for skilled workers, which means you can find employment opportunities in various fields.
Accessible Urban Centers
Manitoba's largest city, Winnipeg, is a vibrant urban center with a rich cultural scene, excellent restaurants, and various entertainment options. The city is also home to several post-secondary institutions, including the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg, which offer a range of programs and courses.
Overall, Manitoba offers affordable living, high quality of life, a friendly community, a strong economy, and accessible urban centers, making it a great place to live. If you want to learn more, here's our handy guide to life in Manitoba.
FAQs
Can I Leave Manitoba After PR?
Candidates who are permanent and wish to move out of Manitoba after permanent residence are free to do so. But candidates who applied for permanent residency under the Provincial Nominee Program may have to check with the province that nominated them based on the skills they offer within that province.
How Long Does it Take to Process MPNP?
The process can take around 12 to 15 months, depending on the applicant's eligibility and how long the provincial office of Manitoba takes to process applications. Usually, the processing time is around four months which is separate from the overall processing time of 12 to 15 months. Learn more about Canadian immigration processing times here.
Find Your Pathway to the Prairies
Now that you know how people immigrate to Manitoba, it's time to find out how you should make your move—one of the best ways to determine this is to utilize the expertise of RCICs.
RCICs can assist clients with various immigration matters, including submitting applications for Canadian visas, work permits, study permits, and permanent residency. They can also provide advice on immigration laws and regulations, as well as help clients prepare for interviews and other requirements. It is important to note that RCICs must adhere to strict ethical and professional standards and can face disciplinary action if they fail. RCICs can create your EOI, fill out your application forms, keep track of your application, help source and verify your documentation, represent you with immigration boards, and provide you with the support and guidance you need throughout your journey to Manitoba.
