Stay in Canada with the Manitoba PNP International Education Stream

December 2, 2022

Kouthar LCG

Known for its Northern polar bears, freshwater lakes and beaches, It is no surprise that Manitoba is highly appealing to international students. Bordered by Ontario, the province offers young adults and students a wealth of opportunities to prosper and build a long-term sustainable life for themselves and their families. Thankfully, the Canadian government makes it easy to immigrate to Manitoba through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

Turn on the switches and find out how you can become part of the Manitoba PNP as we unfold the requirements and the application process for permanent residence through the Manitoba PNP.

What is the Manitoba PNP International Education Stream?

The program was introduced to boost the Manitoba economy by enabling international students and skilled foreign workers to add value to the economy and fill the labour shortage within the province. The MPNP has been renewed with four revised application streams, according to the government of Manitoba site:

International Education Stream (IES)
Business Investor Stream (BIS)
Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream (SWM)
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream (SWO)

As part of the renewal of the MPNP, the aim is to add to the 10-point Economic Plan to enhance the economic market in Manitoba to attract new investment while nurturing a skilled workforce.

The streams mentioned above are highly accommodating, and individuals who qualify will receive provincial nominees based on their ability to satisfy the labour force and economic needs.

The In-Demand Occupations List for Manitoba PNP Applicants

You want to ensure that when you apply through MPNP, you are targeting an occupation high in demand to maximize your chances of success through the program. Additionally, candidates applying to in-demand occupations will be considered first during the Expression of Interest draws.

The MPNP is employer-driven, and to give you an idea of the province's labour market needs, we have listed the in-demand industries below, as per the information on the government of Manitoba site:

1- Business, finance and administration occupations
2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
3 - Health occupations
4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
5 - Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
6 - Sales and service occupations
7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
8 - Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
9 - Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

Here’s a more in-depth overview of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), level and National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), level and National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, skill level guidelines.

Rural in-demand occupations

According to the government of Manitoba site, below are the in-demand occupations if you are applying outside of the Manitoba capital Region:

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102): CLB 7 with skill level C.
Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers (NOC 94141): CLB 7 with skill level C.

Note: The labour market needs of any province are constantly evolving, which means that the in-demand occupationslist is subject to change. However, we advise you to contact our immigration experts, who are up to date with the latest changes and regulations within the province.

What is the International Education Stream (IES)?

This stream targets international students who want to immigrate to Manitoba, pursue their studies and eventually strive to fulfill the province's labour needs upon graduation. Below are three pathways listed under the IEC:

Career Employment Pathway
Graduate Internship Pathway
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

Eligibility for the Career Employment Pathway

This pathway serves as a route to a faster nomination for international students who graduate in Manitoba and find an in-demand occupation that aligns with the training they received at the secondary institution.

As part of the conditions of this pathway, you can qualify to apply for the MPNP once you graduate and secure a job offer.

Below are give you a brief breakdown of the minimum Manitoba PNP requirements for the Career Employment Pathway:

Educational requirements:

You must graduate from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Manitoba in the last three years - this should be a minimum of one year, two semesters and full-time coursework.

Languages Proficiency:

Minimum CLB/NCLC 7 (or equivalent).

Employment status in Manitoba:

You should secure a full-time job offer from an authorized employer in Manitoba. The job offer should have a minimum of one year contract and form part of Manitoba's in-demand occupations/industries. In addition to this, you must be working full-time in Manitoba with a valid work permit when you apply at the time. Remember, if you want to immigrate to Manitoba through the Manitoba PNP, you may be subject to the program or occupation limitations.

Settlement Funds:

You must prove that liquid funds.are available and equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements.for six months. Alternatively, your officer of employment must be a full-time job looking to have to work for the long-term in Manitoba.

Find out more information on settlement funds and why it is relevant here.

Adaptability in Manitoba:

You must be currently living in Manitoba at the time of application and must prove your intention to reside in Manitoba even after you receive a nomination. You must also submit a Career Employment Plan that showcases opportunities for a successful career in Manitoba.

Note: Should the international student lose or change their occupation, the Manitoba PNP must be informed to discuss the best way forward.

Eligibility for the Graduate Internship Pathway

This pathway offers faster nomination for international students doing their master's and doctoral studies while doing internships that adds value to the innovative industry. Graduates must complete an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba.can qualify for the MPNP upon graduation, even if they still need to secure a job offer.

Below are give you a brief breakdown of the minimum Manitoba PNP requirements for the Graduate Internship Pathway:

Educational Requirements:

You must have completed a master's or doctoral degree program in the last three years.

Languages Proficiency:

Minimum CLB/NCLC 7 (or equivalent)

Internship in Manitoba:

You must complete an Accelerate or Elevate internship with Mitacs in Manitoba.

Employment status in Manitoba:

The candidate is not required to have a job at the time of application, provided they performed their internship at the abovementioned.

Settlement Funds:

You must prove that liquid funds.are available and equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements for six months. Alternatively, your officer of employment must be a full-time job looking to have to work for the long-term in Manitoba.

Adaptability in Manitoba:

As mentioned previously, you must prove that you are living in Manitoba at the time of application and must prove your intention to reside in Manitoba even after you receive a nomination. You must also submit a Career Employment Plan that showcases opportunities for a successful career in Manitoba.

Eligibility for the Graduate Internship Pathway

This pilot pathway offers international graduates in Manitoba the opportunity to engage in entrepreneurship instead of finding employment or job offers. Eligible candidates will receive a nomination to apply for permanent residency.

Below is a brief breakdown of the minimum Manitoba PNP requirements for the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (ISEP):

Experience required in business:

You must produce a business plan and submit it with your MPNP application. Additionally, you must show that you operate the business at a senior or managerial level daily in Manitoba for at least six months before you can receive a nomination, which must be consistent with the criteria outlined in your Business Performance Agreement (BPA). The candidate must also show a business equity ownership of 51%.

Languages Proficiency:

Minimum CLB/NCLC 7

Education in Manitoba:

The candidate must complete a full-time post-secondary program in Manitoba of at least two years. If the candidate has studies, work or business experience outside of Canada, this will be recognized but not necessarily as an eligibility requirement.

Required Age:

21 to 35.

Adaptability in Manitoba means you must:

The candidate must ensure they have a valid open work permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the time of application.
You must continue to live in Manitoba since you graduated.
Prove that you intend to continue living in Manitoba after you get nominated.

Net Worth or Settlement Funds:

A deposit is not required, and while a minimum net worth is not an eligibility factor, you can show a net worth or source of funds, which will be assessed when evaluating your ability to implement your business plan. You must prove that liquid funds are available and that it's equivalent to Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements that show you can support yourself for 12 months.

Business Performance Agreement:

Once your application is approved, your Business Performance Agreement (BPA) must be signed before you can submit it to the MPNP for an approval-in-principle letter to execute your business plan.

Who Cannot Apply to Manitoba PNP?

There are certain scenarios where individuals cannot apply for the Manitoba PNP. We outline these scenarios below, according to the government of Manitoba site:

Refugee claimants or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process.
Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada.
Temporary foreign workers working and living in a province outside Manitoba cannot apply.
If you are a spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Candidates rejected by the MPNP within the last six months cannot provide reasons or justify why their applications have been rejected.
Candidates who have also applied to other provincial immigration programs and federal immigration program that is not part of the MPNP cannot apply. Though, it is worth mentioning that an Express Entry profile is not an immigration application.

How To Apply for the Manitoba IES

By now, you have decided that Manitoba will be your settling place. However, to immigrate to Manitoba as an international student, you need to understand the application process for the International Education Stream.

Below we break down the steps:

Step 1

Ensure that you are eligible to apply to the program and that you can meet the program criteria and occupation requirements. Thereafter, you must indicate that you are interested in immigrating to Manitoba, you must create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile. Furthermore, our immigration experts can assist with completing an EOI.

Step 2

Candidates with high scores and a connection to Manitoba will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA), which enables you to log onto your account and access the MPNP application. After that, it must be submitted.

Step 3

All MPNP applications are evaluated by an MPNP officer, and decisions will be made based on your eligibility. However, you can contact our immigration experts, who can assist in eligibility assessments and advise on the best way forward.

Step 4

Eligible applicants will be nominated by the MPNP and should apply for permanent residence once nominated.

Step 5

Applicants must apply for permanent residence to the Government of Canada within 180 days of their nomination.

Note: We urge candidates to remain truthful and accurate in the information they provide on their applications or profiles. Failure to do so may result in a delay in processing times, and your application may be returned. Find out more about processing times and what to expect once your application is submitted.

We understand that it may be a lot to process for those who want to immigrate to Manitoba. However, international students can be well assured that the MPNP offers a wealth of opportunities and a successful future for themselves and their families. With the right support and guidance at hand, contact our immigration experts to assist you in a journey of a lifetime.

FAQs

What is the cut-off score for Manitoba PNP?

Candidates applying for the Manitoba PNP must show that they have a connection to Manitoba while scoring at least 60 points to be successful under this program.

Can I leave Manitoba after PR?

Candidates who are permanent and wish to move out of Manitoba can do so, but this will depend on the stream or the conditions of your nomination. We advise candidates to check with the province that nominated them based on the scarcity of the skills they offer in that province.

How long does it take to process MPNP?

The process can take around six months or more, spending on the thoroughness and completeness of your application.