Manitoba

Capital: Winnipeg

Population: 1,366,086

Climate: Summer months typically range between 19°-26° C. Winters can see temperatures around -18° C but drop as low as -40° C.

Must see: Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Known for: Polar Bears, The Northern Lights

Learn more at www.gov.mb.ca

Manitoba is home to some of Canada's more unique museums, such as the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, where you can view marine and reptile fossils (including the giant mosasaur known as "Bruce"). Churchill Manitoba has the worlds greatest concentration of polar bears, which can be safely viewed through guided tours in overnight vehicles. The Manitoba government has worked to keep the vision of their province one where well managed businesses will thrive while maintaining diversity in economic industries. Key components of the economy include manufacturing, agriculture, hydroelectricity and natural resources as well as exporting goods around the world.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) offers an advantage to some international graduates, skilled workers, businesspeople and their families who are looking to settle permanently in this province. The MPNP looks to attract internationally trained skilled workers who have the skills required in local labour market. The program seems to be successful, as a recent survey showed 85% of Manitoba PNP nominees were working within three months of arrival, and 76% were home owners within five years!

Manitoba immigration starting guide

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

This stream is for foreign workers who have completed at least six months continuous full-time employment with a Manitoba based employer. International students that studied in Canada outside Manitoba must have been working with the company for at least one year.

Additional requirements for applicants include:

an offer of long-term employment from the same employer for whom you have been working for the required time period.
have all qualifications for the position including any required training, education, license or certification.
English or French proficiency required to do the job.
a connection to Manitoba through employment that is stronger than ties to any other province or territory.
proof of financial support for yourself and any dependants. Your income will be taken into consideration in the required amount.
a settlement plan that demonstrates your intention and plan to live work and establish your life in Manitoba as a permanent resident!

Employers must be incorporate or registered, and operating in Manitoba. Self-employment, business owners and independent contractors do not qualify.

Skilled Workers Overseas - Manitoba Support

This stream is for skilled workers overseas who have demonstrated connections to Manitoba. For the Manitoba Support category you must show an established resident of the province who is a friend or relative whom is willing and able to endorse your plan for settling and finding employment in their community. Your supporter must be:

able to provide documents showing they have been living in Manitoba for minimum 1 year
a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
able to demonstrate sufficiently close ties to the applicant, and to Manitoba
demonstrated permanent, economic success in any previous applications
able to support the applicants settlement plan

Close relatives are able to sponsor more than one applicant if they can prove ability to do so and can provide documents proving the relationship. Friends and distant relatives may only have one sponsorship in all of Canada. Qualifying close relatives are:

sister or brother
niece or nephew (child of your sister or brother)
aunt or uncle (brother or sister of your mother or father)
first cousin (Child of your aunt uncle)
mother or father
grandmother or grandfather

Applicants will also be allotted points and assessed on language, employability, education, age and adaptability according to the MPNP self-assessment worksheet.

Skilled Workers Overseas - Manitoba Experience

This stream is for skilled workers overseas who have demonstrated connections to Manitoba. For the Manitoba Experience category you must show previous residence in Manitoba as either a temporary foreign worker or an international student.

For past employment in Manitoba you must:

have worked full-time for a Manitoba employer for at least six consecutive months
submit a signed employer letter of reference on company letterhead and copy of your work permit proving you worked in Manitoba

For past education in Manitoba you must:

show you attended and completed an authorized education or training program at an eligible post-secondary institution in Manitoba
submit study permits, academic transcripts and the certificate/diploma/degree you received, as proof of studies in Manitoba

Applicants will also be allotted points and assessed on language, employability, education, age and adaptability according to the MPNP self-assessment worksheet.

Skilled Workers Overseas - Manitoba Invitation

This stream is invitation only, sent to qualified candidates who are identified as part of one of the Strategic Recruitment initiatives in Manitoba. Issuance of the Invitation to Apply is at the sole discretion of the MPNP, applicants cannot self-elect. Invitations are usually sent out after one of the following:

Recruitment mission: The MPNP regularly travels overseas, often in partnership with Manitoba employers. Updates on these can be found here.
Exploratory visits: The MPNP occasionally accepts expressions of interest to make an exploratory visit.

Eligibility criteria for either option is subject to change, but typically includes:

be between the age of 21-45
no stronger connection to another province
can demonstrate employability and adaptability
minimum 1 year post-secondary education or training
minimum 2 years full-time work experience in the past 5 years, and demonstrated ability to find a job in Manitoba in that same occupation
settlement plan that shows your demonstrated intention and ability to economically establish yourself as a PR in Manitoba
valid langauge tests showing minimum CLB 5

International Education Stream
Career Employment Pathway

This stream is for international students who graduated post-secondary education in Manitoba and have a valid job offer. For this stream you must also be eligible to apply to the MPNP. Additional requirements include:

must have graduated from a designated post-secondary institution in Manitoba within the past 3 years.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 7.
a full-time, minimum one year job offer from an eligible Manitoba employer. The occupation must be listed on the "In-Demand Occupations" list, and consistent with your studies in Manitoba. You must be working full-time in Manitoba at the time your application is assessed.
proof of sufficient financial resources - or - be employed in a full-time, long-term position in Manitoba.
must be residing in Manitoba at time of application.
must show intent to continue residing in Manitoba after nomination, including a Career Employment Plan demonstrating opportunities for a successful career track in Manitoba.

International Education Stream
Graduate Internship Pathway

This stream is for international masters and doctoral graduates who completed an elevate or accelerate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba. A job offer is not required for this stream. Additional requirements include:

must have completed a master or doctoral degree program in Manitoba within the past 3 years.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 7.
must have completed a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate (including Accelerate Entrepreneur) internship with an eligible industry and research enterprise in Manitoba.
proof of sufficient financial resources for a period of 6 months - or - be employed in a full-time, long-term position in Manitoba.
must be residing in Manitoba at time of application.
must show intent to continue residing in Manitoba after nomination, including a Career Employment Plan demonstrating opportunities for a successful career track in Manitoba.

International Education Stream
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

This pilot stream will provide up to 20 / calendar year international students who graduated in Manitoba the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship rather than employment. After meeting the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement, they will be nominated for PR. It is mandatory to attend an information session before submitting any application forms. Additional requirements include:

a business plan showing minimum 51% business equity ownership. The applicant must operate the business in a senior manager role on a daily basis from Manitoba for minimum 6 months before applying. Applicant must be working on a valid work permit.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 7.
must have completed an eligible post-secondary program in Manitoba.
be between the ages of 21-35.
proof of sufficient financial resources for a period of 12 months and in line with your business plan.
must have continuously resided in Manitoba since graduation.
must show intent to continue residing in Manitoba after nomination.

Entrepreneur Pathway

This pathway starts with a self-assessment by potential candidates who feel they meet the requirements. Completing the Self-Assessment Form can help determine your ranking score under this pathway, and the full assessment will be completed by the MPNP after the application is received. The MPNP reserves the right to prioritize applications for businesses that contribute significant economic benefit to Manitoba. Following this pathway will touch on the following steps:

self-assess your eligibility and business research
submit an expression of interest (EOI) to the MPNP
receive an LAA (letter of advice to apply) and submit your application
assessment of application
establish the business in Manitoba and fulfill the BPA (business performance agreement)
final recommendation for nomination from MPNP

Minimum requirements include:

minimum three years full-time work experience in the past five years as an active business owner or working in a senior management role of a successful business.
valid language tests showing minimum CLB 5.
net worth of minimum $500,000 CAD.
minimum education equivalent to Canadian high school certificate.

Farm Investor Pathway

This pathway is for foreign nationals who want to start a farm in Manitoba, and begins with a self-assessment by potential candidates who feel they meet the requirements. The first step is to complete the Farm Investor Pathway Interest Guidelines Form. If you meet the minimum requirements you may begin to research your proposed farm in Manitoba and explore the province, steps which are required in order to proceed with an application.