There are several ways to immigrate to the Canadian province of Manitoba.

You can come temporarily to visit, study or work. If you want to come to Manitoba to live and work as a Canadian Permanent Resident you have two options:

apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Skilled Workers or Business

Advantage of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Skilled Workers

For centuries, people from around the world have been immigrating to Manitoba. Now, thanks to the MPNP, Manitoba is attracting immigrants in record numbers. From young graduates to established professionals with families, why are so many coming to Manitoba? The MPNP Advantage. The MPNP speeds up the immigration process, and the MPNP helps you as you plan for settlement and employment success. When you apply to the MPNP you are applying directly to the Government of Manitoba. The MPNP selects skilled workers with potential for success based on Manitoba's economic and social needs. Being "nominated" by Manitoba means receiving a certificate that provides faster processing of your Canadian permanent resident visa. MPNP now serving you better The first and most successful immigration program of its kind in Canada, the MPNP is pleased to announce improvements to the application process - a streamlined online application. Apply online: Applicants in priority streams receive expedited processing by applying online. Our online tool guides you through the steps to submit electronically all information and

documents required in a successful application. Apply by mail: Applicants in the General stream are accepted by mail only, and receive regular processing. (Information and forms are in the MPNP Application Kit PDF.) Note: Priority stream applications may be submitted by mail. However, these applications do not receive faster processing. The MPNP is the official immigration program of the Government of Manitoba. The application form is free. It cannot be sold. The online application tool is a free service. You do not need a lawyer or consultant to apply to the MPNP. Come share in our success The strength of Manitoba's economy and communities depends on the success of the people who choose to immigrate. The improved MPNP process helps you determine if you share the traits that brought past immigrants successful settlement and employment in Manitoba:

skilled individuals of working age with recent experience as well as the training and the adaptability to meet employment qualification requirements and the competitive demands of Manitoba's evolving workplace English language skills strong enough to communicate effectively at the workplace whether it's in a hospital, a business office or on a construction site a connection to Manitoba through the support of family or friends who live here, or familiarity gained through having worked or studied in Manitoba pre-arrival planning - the most successful immigrants are those who plan in advance for how to adapt to life in Manitoba and have the ability to support themselves as they settle

Read the following pages in the How to Immigrate section to learn about eligibility, about including your family, how to use the online application tool, how we assess your application and what results you can expect after submitting an application. Are you eligible to apply to the MPNP

The MPNP eligibility criteria are designed to help you determine if you have the potential to successfully find a job and settle as a permanent resident of Manitoba. How your application is assessed

The MPNP assesses your application based on how well the information and supporting documents you submit demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria for the stream under which you applied.

Successful applicants are those who have the employment and/or educational background, the language skills and the adaptability to establish successfully in Manitoba. Documents The online application tool will tell you what supporting documents to upload. The MPNP will assess whether your documents support the information you have provided in your application. For example:

You are applying because you are currently working in Manitoba: the online tool will instruct you to scan and upload a copy of your temporary work permit. You indicate in your application you have 10 years of work experience: you must obtain and upload letters of reference from all employers.

If the MPNP considers your documentation insufficient your application may be considered ineligible or incomplete for assessment. If that is the case, the MPNP may likely refuse your application and will inform you of the decision in writing. Note: Documents must be made available to us at the time of assessment. The MPNP does not consider information or documents received after we have assessed your application. Intended occupation Each applicant must declare an intended occupation. The MPNP will assess your potential to establish successfully in Manitoba in your intended occupation. Before you apply, research your occupation using the Working in Manitoba Tool. Find out the qualification requirements for working in your occupation in Manitoba. Doing research and planning will help you complete your MPNP application successfully. Enter a job title: (ex: teacher, nurse, etc.)

When you look up your occupation you will see that some occupations are "regulated" in Manitoba. This means you must go through a licensing process before you can work. This is considered in assessment because it affects your ability to find a job in your intended occupation. Adaptability

The MPNP is not a sponsorship program. We select skilled workers with the ability and intention to settle in Manitoba as permanent residents. Your financial situation and the community in which you've chosen to settle are two considerations in adaptability. As part of the assessment, the MPNP may consider your net worth as an indication of your potential to establish successfully. Adjusting to life in Manitoba will take some time. That is why it is recommended that MPNP applicants (except those currently in Manitoba) have at least C$10,000 plus C$2,000 in funds for their spouse and each accompanying dependant to support yourself and your family while you are looking for a job as well as pay your Government of Canada immigration fees and travel expenses to Manitoba. Settlement Plan People applying under the five minimum factors (Option D on the page Eligbility) must demonstrate their adaptability by preparing a Settlement Plan. Your Settlement Plan must show:

why you have chosen Manitoba as your immigration destination what community you will move to, and why that you have a connection to Manitoba through a close relative who has been living in Manitoba as a permanent resident for at least one year and who is prepared to support your settlement (non-financially) that you are taking steps to find a job in your intended occupation soon after arriving in Manitoba

Your Settlement Plan must be endorsed by a close relative (as described in the online application) who has been living in Manitoba as a permanent resident for at least one year. Your relative must review your plan, and complete and submit Settlement Plan - Part 2. Things you should know before you apply

The Government of Manitoba has the sole authority to nominate applicants for permanent resident status in Canada, based on our assessment of your potential for success in Manitoba as an independent skilled worker.

There is no deadline for applying to the MPNP. However, program criteria may change without notice and your application will be assessed according to the criteria in place at the time we receive your complete application. We need your current personal information to assess your application. After you submit your application you can log-in to the online tool to change your address, number of dependants, etc.

What happens after you apply

After we complete our assessment of your application we will inform you of our decision whether or not to nominate you to receive a Canadian permanent resident visa to live and work in Manitoba. This page explains the outcomes of your MPNP application - first the standard procedure for a successful applicant. Other possible results are explained afterward. Note: Processing times vary based on number of applications received. The MPNP does not respond to inquiries about application status. Approved applications

1. MPNP sends you an approval letter. Once a decision has been made on your application you will be contacted in writing. This decision will not be given over the telephone or by e-mail. If your application to the MPNP is approved, we will mail you a letter of approval in your MPNP nomination package. A formal certificate of nomination will be sent directly to the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate that processes requests from your country of residence ("the visa office"). 2. You apply to the visa office for a permanent resident visa. Your nomination package will include instructions on how to apply for your permanent resident visa at the visa office. (The instructions are also online in the Prepare to Move section.) Note: Before you quit your job or sell your possessions, you must apply for and receive permanent resident visas from the Government of Canada for you and your family.

You must submit to the visa office your visa application, processing fees and the original MPNP letter of approval before the expiry date that is noted on your letter of approval. The Government of Canada is responsible for ensuring that all applicants for permanent resident status meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and all medical, criminal and background checks. The Government of Canada has the final authority to approve or refuse a permanent resident visa. 3. You continue your settlement and career planning. Your nomination package will include advice, instructions and links to online resources to help you prepare for your successful settlement and employment in Manitoba. The following events may happen to nominated applicants depending on the circumstances: 4. Nominated person may seek temporary work permit. If you have obtained a job offer from a Manitoba employer after you were nominated by MPNP, the MPNP may issue a support letter for a work permit application. This will allow you to apply for a temporary work permit at the applicable visa office. If you are currently employed in Manitoba on a temporary work permit, you should contact the MPNP two months before the expiry date of that work permit. We may provide you with a supporting letter that will allow you to apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to have your work permit renewed. Note: The employer must be registered with Manitoba's Employment Standards Branch before you ask the MPNP for a supporting letter. 5. If your address changes you must notify the MPNP. 6. MPNP may withdraw your certificate of nomination. The MPNP has the right to withdraw a certificate of nomination if the applicant has provided false or misleading information or no longer meets the criteria under which he or she was nominated. Applicants falsely declaring their intent to live and work in Manitoba or who provide false or

misleading information or documents in their applications may also be subject to enforcement action by the Government of Canada before and after a permanent resident visa is issued.

Non-approved applications

Nomination under the MPNP is at the sole discretion of Manitoba. If the MPNP decides not to nominate your application we will mail you a result letter stating the reasons for the decision. Applications are not approved in situations including but not limited to the following:

You have not provided sufficiently detailed, credible documentation for full assessment. You fail to demonstrate that you have sufficient work experience, training to find employment in your intended occupation in Manitoba. You have insufficient language ability to be employable in Manitoba. You fail to demonstrate your ability and intention to establish permanently in Manitoba. You fail to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria under which the application is being assessed. You fail to demonstrate you have sufficient settlement funds. You fail to demonstrate in your Settlement Plan that you are taking sufficient steps to become employable including pursuing any required occupational licence or certification. The endorsement of your Settlement Plan does not meet MPNP requirements.

How to request a review of a non-approved application You may request a formal review of an MPNP decision on your application. For details visit MPNP Resources: Appealing MPNP decisions. How to reapply after a non-approved application You may reapply to the MPNP after six months from the date on your result letter or after you have addressed the reasons why your application was not approved. When you reapply you must show that you have sufficient training, experience and/or a stronger connection to Manitoba to support a new application.

How to withdraw your application

If you want to withdraw your application to the MPNP send a written request signed by you by mail, e-mail or fax. You may resubmit your application at any time. An immigration representative may withdraw an application on your behalf by submitting a written request provided that the request is signed by you. To withdraw your application after receiving a letter of approval, send a written, signed request to both the MPNP and to the visa office to which the MPNP sent your certificate of nomination. (Note: The Government of Canada does not refund visa-processing fees.)

You are eligible to apply as a priority applicant and receive expedited processing online if you meet one of options A, B, C or D. A. You are currently working in Manitoba as a temporary foreign worker with a valid temporary work permit and have been working for at least six months. B. As an International Student you graduated from a publicly funded Manitoba postsecondary institution in at least a one-year program for which you received a certificate, diploma or degree, you have an offer of a long-term, full-time job from a Manitoba employer and have been working in that job at least six months with a valid postgraduation work permit. C. You have been invited to apply under a Strategic Initiative. D. You have a strong connection to Manitoba through having family who live in the province, and you meet the following five factors. 1. Age You are between 21 and 49 years old. People in this age range can manage the cultural, linguistic and economic challenges involved in moving to work in a new country, including the possible need to retrain or pass rigorous certification or licensing processes for some jobs. 2. Education You completed secondary (high) school and have at least one year post-secondary education or training for which you earned a post-secondary diploma or degree. People who have completed some post-secondary education can better meet the qualification requirements of Manitoba employers and adapt to the changing demands of the workplace. 3. Work Experience You have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years. Having recent employment helps ensure that you have the skills and experience that are in demand in Manitoba, helping you find a job in your intended occupation and increasing your potential for long-term career success.

4. Language Ability You completed your secondary and post-secondary education in English or French, or scored at least 5 on an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. The experience of many thousands of people from around the world who have moved to Manitoba through the MPNP shows that the key challenge of immigrants is they needed better English language skills. Having at least this level of English, and being willing to improve your language skills, will help you get a good job, participate in training and licensing or certification programs that will help you meet the occupational demands and get ahead in the Manitoba workplace. 5. Adaptability With your application you must submit a Settlement Plan that explains the steps you will take to adapt to life in Manitoba and have it endorsed by a close relative who has lived in Manitoba as a permanent resident for at least one year. Settling in Manitoba will take a period of adjustment. You need to be able to support yourself and your family during that time. Having the (non-financial) support of family who live in Manitoba will increase your potential for success. Your family is included in your MPNP application

Manitoba values the contribution that families make to our communities and to the economic development of our province, and encourages the immigration of skilled workers who plan to establish themselves and their families permanently in Manitoba. When you apply to the MPNP you, the principal applicant, can include your family as "eligible accompanying dependants." Eligible accompanying dependants include:

your spouse (legal marriage or at least one year of common-law partnership) children under age 18 of whom you have legal custody and who are either your biological or adopted children or those of your spouse adult children between the ages of 18 and 25 who are: - not married or in a common-law relationship - not financially independent due to a physical or mental condition - pursuing full-time academic, professional or vocational training

You and your spouse (if applicable) should each review the information on eligibility criteria and

assessment. The person who best meets the eligibility criteria and is the most qualified should be the principal applicant. The other spouse can be included as an accompanying dependant. If your children do not meet the above criteria, but want to come to Manitoba with you, they can still apply to the MPNP program. They must submit a separate application at the same time as you and indicate they are connected to your application. Please note the following about dependants

A fianc(e) is not a dependant for purposes of immigration. If your fianc(e) intends to accompany you to Manitoba and you are not getting married before you apply to the MPNP, he/she will need to fill out his/her own MPNP application and qualify as a principal applicant. All existing dependants must be declared to the MPNP before you are nominated. New dependants, after you have been nominated (such as a newborn), must be declared to the MPNP and the Government of Canada visa office before you and your dependants are issued permanent resident visas, whether they are accompanying you to Canada or not. If you do not declare new dependants, and they do not undergo medical examinations, you may not be able to sponsor them in the future. If your dependants are not accompanying you to Canada at this time, you will need to apply separately to sponsor them through a Government of Canada sponsorship program after you settle in Manitoba. (Note: The MPNP cannot assist you with a sponsorship application.) Children who meet the criteria for adult dependant at the time you receive nomination from the province and later change their status (get married, stop/complete their university education, have children, etc.) cannot be included in your application for permanent resident status at a visa office, and will likely be withdrawn from your MPNP application. Please note that the MPNP will not issue certificates for those individuals after you received nomination. They must MPNP eligibility criteria and apply on their own.