Manitoba PNP: Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Located between the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan, the Province of Manitoba is in many ways the gateway to western Canada. 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. Manitoba’s benefits 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 MPNP CONSISTS OF THREE MAIN IMMIGRATION STREAMS:
• Manitoba Invitation
• Manitoba Connection
• Business Investor

In addition, Manitoba was given an additional SOO nomination, for a total of 5,500, to be accepted in 2015. These additional nominations will be made through a new enhanced Express Entry category, which is aligned with the Federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Express Entry candidates nominated by Manitoba will receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). CIC has committed to processing times of six months or less for applicants through Express Entry.

There are three ways in which the province and potential candidates may immigrate to Manitoba, both through Express Entry and outside Express Entry:
• Skilled Worker applicants eligible for a federal economic immigration program can enter the Express Entry pool. Manitoba may select candidates from this pool
• Skilled Worker applicants are also encouraged to apply directly to MPNP. MPNP may then select candidates and instruct them to enter the federal Express Entry pool if they have not already done so; or
• MPNP will continue to nominate applicants directly through the existing skilled worker and business categories. Provincial nominees will not need to apply through Express Entry, but will instead submit a separate and complete application for PR to CIC after they have been approved as a MPN.

MANITOBA PNP INVITATION
Through this stream, individuals are targeted by MPNP officials and then invited to apply for permanent residence. Provincial officials make regular trips abroad to search for prospective immigrants under this stream.

MANITOBA CONNECTION
This stream facilitates immigration for individuals who have a connection to Manitoba. This connection may be related to work or education experience in Manitoba, or a family member or close friend residing in the province.

BUSINESS INVESTOR
Individuals who wish to invest 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.

IMMIGRATION TO MORDEN, MANITOBA
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.