The Complete Guide to Manitoba Immigration Pathways

Manitoba is a grassland in the middle of Canada. Its diverse landscape offers the most breathtaking views, with more than 100,000 lakes surrounding the state. With a population of 1,390,249, the province has over the years, become quite multicultural, and is now home to people from across the globe. Considering a move to the region? In this article, we explore several Manitoba immigration pathways available and how to apply.  

Skilled Workers Stream


The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is open to graduates, skilled workers, and business owners who are able to settle as permanent residents and contribute to the region’s economy. Manitoba makes immigrating to the province possible for more people.

Through the Skilled Workers Stream, trained and experienced workers who are able to fill the skill gaps in the province can be nominated for permanent residency. The two pathways for this are the Skilled Workers in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas programs.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

Manitoba's Skilled Workers MPNP nominates applicants with strong ties to the province. This could be due to continuous employment and/or having sufficient skills, education, work experience and proficiency in the official languages. Candidates must contribute to the region’s economy and community simultaneously.

Skilled Workers Overseas

Manitoba’s MPNP for Skilled Workers Overseas nominates candidates who are able to prove a connection to the province via family, having studied or worked in the province, or the direct receipt of an Invitation to Apply from the MPNP Strategic Recruitment Initiative.

How to Apply to the MPNP Pathways in 3 Steps

Step 1: Candidates submit their Expression of Interest

Step 2: Those with scores and proven connection to Manitoba receive an invitation to apply for the MPNP

Step 3: After profiles are carefully examined, the MPNP nominates candidates who make the cut to apply to the Government of Canada for Canadian permanent residency.

Who is Not Eligible For the MPNP?

  • People with an active immigration application for another Canadian program
  • Spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
  • Asylum seekers
  • Foreign national with temporary jobs who don’t work in Manitoba
  • Live-in Carers already residing in Canada

International Education Stream

Manitoba gives international students an opportunity to stay on in the province and obtain permanent residency. This is done through the International Education Stream (IES) for international graduates who graduate in Manitoba. There are three speedy pathways to obtaining a nomination: Career Employment Pathway, Graduate Internship Pathway and The International Student Entrepreneur Pathway. International students who have graduated in other provinces in Canada, don’t qualify under this stream but can apply via the updated Skilled Worker In Manitoba Stream. Let’s see how these pathways assist international students who obtain their qualifications in Manitoba.

The Career Employment Pathway

The Career Employment Pathway speeds up nomination pathways for graduating students with skills that are in demand in the province. If you meet the criteria, you’ll qualify to apply for the MPNP as soon as you’ve successfully completed your studies and receive an offer of employment.

Minimum Requirements For the Career Employment Pathway

  • Your Education: This pathway is open to recent graduates who obtained their qualifications from an institution in Manitoba in the last three years. You must have done a full time course of at least one year.
  • Your Employment status: You’ll need to have secured an offer of employment for a permanent position from a Manitoba-based employer. The In-demand Occupations list must be in line with your qualification and you’ll have to be working in the position already while your application is being assessed.
  • Financial Status: You must prove that you are financially stable and able to survive on your own for six months, as per the Low Income Cut-Off requirements. Alternatively, you’ll have to be in a full time position in the province.
  • Your Adaptability:You must be living in Manitoba when you apply. You must also be able to demonstrate your intention to stay in the province after you’ve received your nomination and submit a Career Employment Plan indicating space for career growth in the region.
  • Your Official Language Ability: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 (or equivalent)

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is the official language standard used in Canada to determine how well immigrants communicate in their second language.

The Graduate Internship Pathway

The Graduate Internship Pathway is a sped-up route to nomination for international students, as well as master’s and doctoral graduates. This can be done by means of internships through which they contribute to innovation in Manitoba. Graduates who complete internships in Manitoba may submit applications for the MPNP immediately after graduation, even if they don’t have an offer of employment.

Minimum Requirements For the Career Employment Pathway

  • Your Education: You must have graduated with a master’s or doctorate degree from a Manitoba institution in the last three years.
  • Your Employment status: You need a job offer when you apply.
  • Financial Status: You must prove that you are financially stable and able to survive on your own for six months, as per the Low Income Cut-Off requirements. Alternatively, you’ll have to be in a full time position in the province. must be employed in a full-time, long-term position in Manitoba.
  • Your Adaptability: You must be living in Manitoba when you apply. You must also be able to demonstrate your intention to stay in the province after you’ve received your nomination and submit a Career Employment Plan indicating space for career growth in the region.

    • The International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

    In Manitoba, the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot will give as many as 20 international students who’ve graduated in the province the chance to start a business instead of working. As soon as a candidate meets the conditions of their Business Performance Agreement, they can earn a nomination for permanent residency.

    With limited spaces available each year, it’s a good idea to find out whether you’re eligible months before submitting your application. Canadianvisa.org can help you check.

    Business Investors Stream Entrepreneurs Pathway

    International students who have graduated in a different Canadian province of Canada may qualify to apply under the Business Investor Stream Entrepreneur Pathway.

    Minimum Requirements For the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

    • Business Experience: You’ll need to submit a business plan with your application to MPNP. You will be required to have held a senior managerial position for about 6 months before you receive a nomination, during your temporary work permit period. This must be in line with the requirements laid out in your Business Performance Agreement (BPA).
    • Your Age: 21-35
    • Your Education: You would have to have completed a full-time two-year university course in Manitoba. Short courses don’t count. Education, work and business experience before you came to Canada but not necessary to be eligible.
    • Your Adaptability: You will have to have a valid open work permit or post-graduation work permit (PGWP) when you apply. You’ll have to have lived in Manitoba since the completion of your studies and you must be able to prove your intention to stay in the province once you are nominated.
    • Your Financial Status: You won’t need a deposit. Your minimum net worth isn’t part of the criteria for consideration but it is reviewed when checking whether you will be able to carry out your business goal. You will also have to prove that you are financially stable and able to survive on your own for a year, as per the Low Income Cut-Off requirements.
    • Business Performance Agreement: Once your application has been approved, you will have to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) before the MPNP gives you an approval-in-principle letter to carry out your business plan.
    • Your Language Ability: Minimum CLB 7

    Business Investor Stream

    The Business Investor Stream (BIS), is used for recruitment and nominations of qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intention and skills to establish or buy a business in Manitoba.

    The two pathways for this are the Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants who want to open a business in Manitoba, and the Farm Investor Pathway, for applicants who want to a farm in rural Manitoba.

    The Entrepreneur Pathway

    Through the updated Entrepreneur Pathway, Manitoba is able to recruit and nominate eligible business people from across the globe who want to open or buy a business after arriving in Canada on a temporary visa. Candidates won’t have to pay a deposit to the province’s government. Applicants are no longer required to submit a deposit of $100,000 to the Manitoba Government.

    Minimum Requirements For Entrepreneur Pathway

    • Business Experience: You will have to have work experience of no less than three years within the last five years, either running a business or managing one. It is important to note that business owners earn more points than high level managers. If you are a business owner, you’ll have to own no less than a third of a business to be eligible for points.
    • Your Education: You must have a least a high school education
    • Your Language Ability: Minimum CLB/NCLC 5
    • Age Requirement: While there is no age requirement, points are given to candidates aged 25 to 49 years old
    • Your Investment: A minimum investment of $250,000 is required for businesses in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region, while at least $150,000 is needed for a business outside of the region. The business will have to provide an employment opportunity for least one Canadian Citizen or someone with Manitoba permanent residency.
    • Your Business plan: This is an important part of the application process. You’ll be able to do a business research visit to research your future business investment or proposal. This must be done up to a year before you apply.

    Farm Investor Pathway

    The updated Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) is for people with farming experience and enough money to invest and start a farming enterprise in Manitoba. The business will have to be in line with the province’s farming sector.

    Minimum Requirements For Farm Investor Pathway

    • Farm Business Experience: You will have to have owned a farm for no less than three years and must have the documents to prove this
    • Language Abilities: You’ll have to be proficient in at least one of Canada’s two official languages
    • Farm Business Investment: You’ll have to make an investment of at least $300,000
    • Farm Business Research Visit: You’ll have to do a Farm Business Research Visit to Manitoba. You’ll have to apply for a six-month visitor’s visa
    • Your Net worth: Your net worth will have to be no less than $500000. The MPNP is allowed to request proof of this. The verification report and your application, must be submitted to the MPNP within 3 months of receiving an Invitation to Apply

    So Many Pathways to Choose From

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    Now that you know more about the available Manitoba options, it’s time to apply. If it still sounds a bit daunting in terms of finding the correct forms and procedures, Canadianvisa.org will happily assist in guiding you through each step. We’re all about make things as fuss-free as possible.

    Sign up today and our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant will give you a call to assist.