FAQs for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

FAQ – Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) in Canada and some important information to consider if you are applying under this program for permanent residency in Canada. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is an economic immigration program that assists the province of Manitoba to meet its labour market needs. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply under this program, I suggest you read our article on “Basics of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program in Canada.

Q: What is the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)?

A: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) was the first economic immigration program to be established in Canada. This program allows the province of Manitoba to nominate potential foreign nationals to immigrate to Manitoba and thus also contribute to the labour market needs of Manitoba.

Q: How does the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) work?

A: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has three different pathways you may pursue, which are:

• Skilled Worker
• Business Investors
• Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative

For more information pertaining to these pathways please kindly read our article “Basics of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.”

Q: Who may not apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)?

A: Any individuals who fall under any one of the following categories may not apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

The ineligible categories are:

• Live-in Caregivers who currently reside in Canada
• Temporary Foreign Workers who currently work in Canada and reside in a province that is not Manitoba
• Refugee claimants
• Individuals who are involved in a federal appeal or obtained a removal order
• Spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Individuals who have been previously refused by the MPNP – The refusal must have been obtained within the last six months and the applicant must not have been able to address the reasons for refusal
• Individuals who have an active application for another provincial immigration program

Q: How much capital must I have in order to qualify as a business immigrant under the Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative (FSRI)?

A: In order to qualify as a business immigrant under the Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative (FSRI), you must have legally obtained a net worth of a minimum of $350,000.00 CAD.

Q: How do I know if I’m eligible under the Business Investors pathway?

A: In order to be eligible under the Business Investors pathway, the investment you will make in Manitoba, based on your personal assets, must be no less than $150,000 CAD in tangible assets. This is the case, unless there is an investment that includes a portion of working resources that conforms with the industry’s capital investment structure. This is defined and supported by statistics from Industry Canada. Additionally the working resources must be at least $150,000 CAD.

Furthermore, if the applicant would like to invest into an existing business, then the applicant must control a minimum of 33% of the equity. If they do not control a minimum of 33% of the equity, then they must make a minimum of 1 million CAD equity investment into the business.

Q: Am I allowed to apply to MPNP if I have been previously refused by another province for permanent residency in Canada?

A: Yes, you are allowed to apply to MPNP even if you have been previously refused by another province for permanent residency in Canada. However, you must indicate that you have applied to another provincial immigration program when applying to MPNP. When indicating this information, you must also submit the appropriate documentation, such as copies of any correspondence, such as the refusal letter. Furthermore, the documentation you provide must be sufficient in order for the Immigration officers assessing your application to evaluate why the factors for the initial refusal do not apply to your application to MPNP.

Q: What documents may I submit if I conduct most of my business activities on a cash basis?

A: There are applicants that conduct most of their business activities on a cash basis; however, their business bank statements may sometimes not support and accurately show the level of activity in the business. Therefore, unsupported documentation about the magnitude of the business conducted is not sufficient and is unacceptable for Immigration purposes. It is ultimately the applicant’s responsibility to appropriately show their business activity in a credible way through proper documentation to show the income and funds available for said business.

Q: If I receive a refusal for my MPNP application, is there any way for me to appeal this decision?

A: Unfortunately, no, there is no way for you to appeal this decision. It is important to note that all decisions made under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program are final. Thus, there is no appeal process for any decisions made under the MPNP. However, the MPNP has implemented the “Procedural Fairness” policy in order for the applicant to appropriately address concerns made in the application prior to making a final decision.

Contact Akrami & Associates

Should you have any further questions or feel confused or unclear about how to apply for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, it is important to talk about any questions you may have and discuss your concerns. By talking to immigration professionals about your concerns, this will ease your worries and assist with the application process. Many immigration applications are difficult to pursue on your own and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients obtain permanent residency through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!