Business Investor Stream for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP for Business)

Manitoba is a place of spectacular natural beauty. Winnipeg, the capital and largest city in Manitoba, has a population reaching 1 million. It is a metropolitan city and has all the recreational opportunities that Canada has to offer such as ski hills in winter. There are deserts, parks and beaches nearby to provide respite from Canadian winters for those who seek them.

Besides, there are many other towns of size up to 100,000 people across the province. The historical aspects of Manitoba have also been well preserved with many museums (Manitoba has more museums per capita than any other province in Canada) and a large number of heritage sites.

The province has an interconnected highway system that extends across Canada from east to west and up into the United States.

Some of the other reasons which make Manitoba an ideal choice for immigrants are:

Growing Economy and Ample Employment Opportunities

Manitoba has long been known for the vast range of its natural resources. From lumber, mining, and hydroelectric power to agricultural products, Manitoba enjoys a diversity that allows it to meet the economic needs of its citizens. Indeed, over 40% of Manitoba's gross domestic product is generated through primary industries such as agriculture, forestry and fishing.

On the other hand, Manitoba has a rapidly growing high-tech sector that includes both large and small firms. The high-tech sector accounts for almost 25% of Manitoba's industrial GDP. Some of the major economic activities in this sector are telecommunications equipment facilities; computer manufacturing; agri-food processing; aerospace industry (the Winnipeg airport is the third-largest in Canada and serves as the country's western transportation hub); and research and development. Other growing sectors of Manitoba's economy include finance, insurance, real estate, retail trade, and public administration.

Manitoba is a province of opportunities for those seeking work. Its unemployment rate is currently lower than the national average. Regional economic development initiatives are also underway to generate more employment opportunities in the rural areas of the province. Trade and investment projects have been developed, for instance, between Winnipeg and Mexico - particularly the state of Sonora - which has meant greater opportunities for work.

Finding a job in Manitoba is made easier by an extensive range of services and programs available to those in search of work. The provincial government - through the Manitoba Labour Board, Employment Manitoba and its 18 employment development offices (EDOs) across the province - assists job seekers with labour market information; career counselling; job-matching for employers; wage subsidies for businesses that hire new employees; and skills upgrading and retraining opportunities.

Employment standards help ensure fairness at work. Employers can expect to be held accountable for their responsibilities, employees will know what they are entitled to, and unions will continue to protect the interests of working people.

Strong Education System

Manitoba has a strong education system that produces graduates in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) at all levels up to university, including extensive graduate school training for international students in areas such as agricultural, medical and ecological engineering. It is a popular destination for international students wishing to study medicine in English-speaking Canada, with excellent undergraduate training available at the University of Manitoba and graduate programs (MD) available at Brandon University.

The University of Manitoba has recently been ranked by QS as one of the top 200 medical schools in the world. Soon to be ranked among the best universities in Canada, Brandon University is a leader in providing education for international students seeking advanced learning opportunities in medicine, engineering and agriculture.

Many international students from around the world choose to study medicine in Winnipeg because of its central location within Canada, easy travel access between North America and Europe, low cost of living and high standard of living.

There are also Manitoba colleges with great programs in nursing and engineering.

High Living Standards

Statistics from Canada's Conference Board show that Manitobans are doing better than the Canadian average in labour participation and employment growth, which are important factors in a person's standard of living.

A person's standard of living can be measured through his or her level of education and income. The Conference Board reports that Manitobans are better educated than Canada's average, with a greater percentage holding a university degree (21% to 16%). Manitobans earn an average of C$54,000 annually.

The province has a low cost of living. Essentials like insurance, housing, energy, and post-secondary education are much cheaper than the Canadian average. This is the reason that most Manitobans own a cottage or vacation home.

Manitoba has a lot to offer, with exciting tourist attractions and the charm of small-town life. Manitobans work at what they enjoy and do what they love in a beautiful province that offers unmatched rewards for a hard day's work. Manitoba's natural beauty and warm welcome attract visitors from all over the world. With its small towns, cozy B&Bs, lush parks and a clean environment, it's easy to see why Manitoba is Canada's best-kept secret.

Manitobans love to play golf and are quite friendly. They are generous and love to volunteer. Hence, new Canadians benefit from supportive communities in the province that can help them settle down more easily.

What is Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)?

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is the official immigration stream for international students and workers in Manitoba. The MPNP has three streams: Entrepreneur, Worker, and International Graduate which enable international students to immigrate permanently to Manitoba after they graduate from a recognized institution of higher education as an immigrant investor or skilled worker.

The Provincial Nominee Program is a quick, hassle-free and flexible process to immigrate as an Economic Immigration – Business Class.

In-demand Occupations List for Manitoba and the Express Entry system for MPNP have made the process quicker and smoother for skilled workers and business owners migrating to Canada. The MPNP program grants the PR (Permanent Residence) status to accepted applicants in the province and Canada.

What are different Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program streams and pathways?

As mentioned above, MPNP has three major streams:

Business Investor Stream (BIS)

It is meant for qualified business investors and entrepreneurs who want to start or purchase a business in Manitoba. They can come to Canada on a Temporary Work Permit and have to establish or buy a business within 24 months of coming to the country.

Preference is given to those who can launch their business in Manitoba within 12 months of coming to Canada, especially outside the capital city of Winnipeg. The aim here is to pick up entrepreneurs who can generate more employment opportunities for Manitoba residents and contribute to its economy.

New arrangements make it unnecessary for these business investors to deposit C$100,000 to the Manitoba administration to be eligible for it.

The two pathways of the BIS are:

Entrepreneur Pathway

Those who want to start or purchase a business in Manitoba can apply through this pathway. They get a Temporary Work Permit and have to make a business performance deal that requires such applicants to establish a new business or buy a present firm or venture or business entity in the province.

Applicants should have at least three years of full-time work experience as a business owner or senior manager of a successful business during the last five years. Business owners should have at least 33.3% proprietorship in the business.

How much do you need to invest if you choose the Entrepreneurship pathway?

Those who want to set up a business in the Manitoba Capital Region (MCR) need to invest at least 250,000 Canadian Dollars. Outside the MCR, the minimum investment needs to be 150,000 Canadian Dollars.

The business must also provide a job to at least one local Canadian citizen or PR residing in Manitoba (other than proprietors and their family members).

Higher points as a business proprietor and high-ranking managers have higher chances of being accepted through this pathway.

Farm Investor Pathway

This is meant for people who want to buy and run a farm in rural areas of Manitoba. Those with at least three years of farm business management experience or farm proprietorship and operation experience can apply under this pathway.

Selected MPNP candidates first receive a Temporary Work Permit, ink a Business Performance Agreement, and are granted the Permanent Residence (PR) nomination if they meet all the terms and agreements of the agreement successfully.

How much do you need to invest if you choose the Farm Investor pathway?

Those who want to set up a farming business in rural Manitoba need to invest at least 150,000 Canadian Dollars. These investments should be done in tangible assets as defined by the MPNP. Investments done for deriving passive income or speculative purposes are not considered under this scheme.

You also need to present a farm business plan to qualify for the FIP pathway of MPNP Business.

Manitoba Skilled Worker Immigration Stream

Any number of skilled workers can apply for the Skilled Worker Immigration stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program at any time. It has two categories:

Skilled Workers Overseas (SWO) Category

Under this category, the applicants must check the latest in-demand occupations in Manitoba before they start the Manitoba Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

EOI process carries no charges but shows that you intend to apply for the MPNP-Business nomination.

The SWO has two pathways:

Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

Applicants who fulfill the eligibility requirements for Manitoba's provincial nomination programme, as well as the Express Entry programme, can apply for this pathway. They need to have an active Express Entry profile and need to apply under the Express Entry-aligned immigration pathway. Manitoba nomination may win 600 extra points for the applicant in the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) and increase their chances of gaining the prized Canada PR status.

Human Capital Pathway

Skilled workers from overseas who have skills related to the Manitoba In-demand Occupations List and intend to settle in the province can apply under this category. Family links to the province, post-secondary education in Manitoba, or previous work experience in the province can increase your chances of settling down in Manitoba through this pathway.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba (SWM) Category

International students who did their graduation in Manitoba and are working in a permanent job in the province or skilled workers from abroad who intend to work temporarily in the province can apply under this stream. While they have to fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements for the EoI system, they do not have to go through the points-based evaluation system.

Applicants should have a permanent or long-term job offer from a Manitoban recruiter which meets the standard salary and employment guidelines for the profession as defined for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The employer should also have been running for at least three years and be listed as a money-making enterprise in the province.

Do note that home-based, freelance, seasonal, commission-based, or provisional jobs are not eligible under this scheme. The SWM also has two pathways:

Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

Those who are working in Manitoba on temporary work permits or working in jobs not listed in the province's in-demand occupations list can apply through this pathway. These include out-of-province graduates as well as international students who have graduated in Manitoba.

These temporary workers or Manitoba graduates should be living and working in the province at the time of applying for the program, and intend to continue to do so in the future.

Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

International candidates who already have an employment offer from a qualified recruiter in Manitoba can apply through this pathway. Candidates must fulfill all the eligibility conditions of the MPNP. They must have relevant work experience for at least three years (in the preceding 5 years).

Those interested in applying for Canada immigration through the skilled worker immigration stream need to go through the MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) System. Here's a quick step-by-step guide for it:

• Applicants will first need to answer questions and make an online profile on the EOI system.
• They receive points according to the answers they give, according to the unique MPNP Ranking Points system. The maximum number of points one can get during this phase is 1,000.
• Those who get selected become a part of the Manitoba EOI pool and are ranked according to the points they get.
• Applicants with the highest scores receive an invitation to apply, also referred to as the 'Letter of Advice to Apply' (LAA).
• LAA recipients need to submit a duly completed application with all the documents within 60 days to the Manitoban authority.
• Once the candidates are nominated by Manitoba, they have to complete the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) paperwork and submit a PR application to the federal government of Canada.

International Education Stream

It is meant for international students who graduate from Manitoba colleges and universities and meet specific requirements of the provincial job market. Since April 2016, new schemes have been started for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates that support business innovation in their domains.

How Visa2Immigration can help you with the MPNP application?

Our highly reputed and trusted Canada visa consultants and immigration agents can offer you step-by-step guidance and support when you apply for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Programme. We have helped hundreds of people immigrate to Canada and our esteemed clients vouch for our commitment, hard work, and instant response to all their queries.

We can help you with:

• Determining whether you are eligible for the program: If you are wondering whether you will be eligible for MPNP or not, approach our experts. They can study your profile and assess your chances of being accepted for the program.
• Connecting you with Experienced and Qualified Experts: We have domestic and international experts who are well-versed with Canadian immigration formalities and laws. They can help you settle in Canada (including Manitoba) quickly and smoothly.
• Helping you with the documentation and other paperwork: Incomplete paperwork, missing information, or false information can delay your immigration process or may even lead to visa refusal. Our Canada immigration experts are pros at applying for visas, filling up all the forms, and helping you arrange all the documents and papers in order to facilitate getting the green signal from the authorities.
• Making a Business Plan: A good and solid business plan holds the key to immigrating to Manitoba through the business or investor stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. We have some of the most qualified and highly experienced business immigration specialists who can help you make impressive business plans easily.
• Providing you with the right support after you land in Manitoba: We do not end our relationship with clients once they land in Canada. We are always there to provide any kind of online assistance they need to settle in Manitoba.
• Providing you with a full package of MPNP-B consultation services: We, at Visa2Immigration, understand that each visa and immigration case is different and unique. Our experts are good at examining your qualifications, situation, circumstances, and offering you customized solutions. Once you join hands with us, we will offer you a complete support system to help you move to Canada and settle there comfortably.

Contact us at info@visa2immigration now to learn more about our cost-effective Canadian immigration services!