The points-based Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program (MPNP) requires that an overseas skilled foreign worker receive at least 60 points for various factors, including having a connection to Manitoba.
Many people who want to apply for the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program do not have an accepted connection to the province, which is one of the key Manitoba immigration requirements.
Therefore, the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program offers pre-approved exploratory visits to overseas skilled foreign workers who meet the criteria, so they can visit the province, explore potential job opportunities and have the MPNP interview.
If the MPNP interview goes well, the foreign worker could receive an Invitation to Apply.
This article will provide you with the essential details about the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program, exploratory visits and the Manitoba immigration requirements, so keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
Exploratory Visits for Foreign Workers in Manitoba
The exploratory visit is a trip to Canada’s province of Manitoba which has been pre-approved by the Manitoba immigration officials in order to allow a potential applicant to the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program (MPNP) to:
- explore employment opportunities;
- look for possible places to live; and
- have an in-person MPNP interview.
The importance of the exploratory visit for an overseas skilled foreign worker considering Manitoba immigration is that a successful interview with the MPNP officials could result in the foreign worker receiving an Invitation to Apply for the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program.
Receiving an Invitation to Apply for the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program is one of the accepted ways that a foreign worker can meet the Manitoba immigration requirement of having a connection to the province.
A pre-approved exploratory visit to Manitoba is not necessary for MPNP applicants who already have an approved connection to the province, such as having family or friends who live in Manitoba or having previously studied or worked in Manitoba.
For an overseas skilled foreign worker who does not have a connection to the province, which is one of the Manitoba immigration requirements, receiving an Invitation to Apply after a successful exploratory visit interview establishes the necessary connection.
Some of the eligibility requirements for the pre-approved exploratory visit to Manitoba normally include:
- Being between 21 and 45 years of age
- Having at least 2 years of full-time work experience in your occupation during the previous 5 years
- Completing at least 1 year of post-secondary training or education resulting in a degree, diploma or certificate
- Writing a Settlement Plan that details how you plan to establish yourself economically in Manitoba
- English/French language evaluation results showing a minimum CLB 5 score overall and in each category
Benefits of exploratory visits to Manitoba include:
- In-person experience of the province and its opportunities
- Networking and connecting with potential employers
- Understanding the local culture and lifestyle
- Gathering information on housing, schools, and healthcare
- Having the MPNP interview and, hopefully, receiving an Invitation to Apply
Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program (MPNP)
The Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program is a points-based Canadian immigration program in which an applicant must receive at least 60 points from the following five factors:
- Adaptability (Connection to Manitoba) – 20 points possible
- English and/or French Language Proficiency – 25 points possible
- Age – 10 points possible
- Work Experience – 15 points possible
- Education – 25 points possible
If an overseas skilled foreign worker receives at least 60 points, but does not have an accepted connection to Manitoba, he or she cannot apply for the Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program.
Overseas skilled foreign workers who do not already have a connection to Manitoba (e.g., family, friends or previous study or work experience in Manitoba) can establish the required connection if they receive an Invitation to Apply following a pre-approved MPNP exploratory visit interview.
In addition to getting at least 60 points and having a connection to the province, the federal eligibility criteria for Canadian immigration must also be satisfied, such as:
- Having Good Health
- No Criminal Record
- Proof of Funds
Eligibility Criteria for the MPNP for Overseas Skilled Foreign Workers
- Expression of Interest (EOI) Profile – You need to complete an online MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.
- Points Score – You need a minimum of 60 points for 5 factors (adaptability, language, age, education, experience).
- Adaptability – You must have a connection to Manitoba (e.g., family/friends in Manitoba, prior experience in Manitoba).
- Education – Your post-secondary education must be from a recognized education institution.
- Work Experience – You must provide documented evidence of full-time employment from the past 5 years.
- Language Proficiency – You need English or French language evaluation exam results less than 2 years old.
- Proof of Settlement Funds – You must prove that you can support yourself and your family in Manitoba.
- Good Health – You and your family members must all be in good health (medical exams will be required).
- Good Character – You and your family members must not have a criminal record (police certificates may be requested).
Benefits of the MPNP for Foreign Workers
Foreign workers can receive many benefit from Canadian immigration through the MPNP such as:
- Become a Canadian permanent resident
- Live and work in Manitoba long-term
- Receive free or subsidized public healthcare
- Get access to Canadian educational programs
- Travel to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Sponsor family members for Canadian permanent residency
- Have the opportunity to buy a home and start a business
- Apply to become a Canadian citizen after living in Canada 3 years
Manitoba Immigration Requirements
The general immigration requirements for Manitoba
- Filing a complete application for Canadian permanent residency after receiving the provincial nomination
- Possessing good health
- Not having a criminal record
- Having enough resources to support yourself and your family after moving to Manitoba
Specific requirements for overseas skilled foreign workers under the MPNP
- Completing an MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) online profile
- Having a connection to Manitoba (there are regional immigration options if someone has no connection)
- Language proficiency requirements for English and/or French (scores must be less than 2 years old)
- Proof of post-secondary education (e.g., degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized program)
- Proof of full-time work experience from the previous five years
- Receiving at least 60 points for 5 factors (adaptability, language proficiency, education, work experience, age)
Conclusion
The Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program (MPNP) offers skilled foreign workers and their family members the opportunity to become Canadian permanent residents and to live, study and work in Manitoba.
Manitoba is one of Canada’s Prairie Provinces, it usually has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada and its largest city is Winnipeg (city population around 749,607 and metro population about 834,678).
Connection to Manitoba is a key requirement that overseas skilled foreign workers must satisfy for the MPNP, because the Manitoba provincial officials want to nominate applicants who have the best chance for a successful settlement in the province.
The pre-approved exploratory visit gives a foreign worker who lacks a connection to Manitoba an opportunity to establish one by interviewing with the MPNP officials and potentially receiving an Invitation to Apply.
There is generally a two-step process for Canadian immigration through the MPNP, in which a foreign worker creates an Expression of Interest (EOI) online profile and if he or she receives a provincial nomination, the next major step is to apply for permanent residency in Canada with the federal immigration officials.
The Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program is one of several Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers, each of which has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is MPNP eligible for Express Entry?
A skilled foreign worker can apply for Canadian immigration via the MPNP using the Express Entry system or through the traditional application procedure.
Who is eligible for an exploratory visit in Manitoba?
Overseas skilled foreign workers must be pre-approved for an exploratory visit in Manitoba. In general, the eligibility requirements for the MPNP exploratory visit include being between 21 and 45 years if age; having a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience during the previous 5 years; completing a post-secondary training or education program that lasted at least 1 year and resulted in a degree, diploma or certificate being issued; having English and/or French language evaluation exam results received within the previous 2 years that show an overall score and scores for each category equivalent to CLB 5; and showing a genuine desire to settle in Manitoba such as writing a Settlement Plan.
How do I get an exploratory visit in Manitoba?
You must send a written request to the MPNP officials asking them to approve an exploratory visit to Manitoba.
Is participation in an exploratory visit mandatory for the MPNP?
No – The pre-approved exploratory visit is only necessary if an overseas skilled foreign worker does not already have the required connection to Manitoba, so that he or she can travel to the province, explore employment and housing opportunities, have the MPNP interview and, hopefully, receive an Invitation to Apply for the MPNP (which establishes a connection to Manitoba).
Can I immigrate to Manitoba without having a connection to the province?
If you do not have a connection to Manitoba, there may be regional immigration options available to live in work in small towns in Manitoba that need skilled foreign workers, such as the Brandon Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and other programs.
