Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Manitoba Skilled Worker Stream

The Manitoba Skilled Worker Stream is designed to help employers address local labour market needs by attracting qualified foreign workers with the skills and experience required in the province. Successful applicants may be nominated by Manitoba for Canadian permanent residence, allowing them to live and work in the province.

The stream is divided into two pathways:

• Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM)
• Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO)

Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM)

The Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway is intended for individuals who are currently employed in Manitoba and have established a strong connection to the province through ongoing employment. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate the necessary education, training, work experience, and language proficiency to support Manitoba’s labour market and contribute to the province’s long-term economic growth and communities.

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM) Pathway

To be eligible under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM) pathway, applicants must have a strong employment connection to Manitoba through ongoing full-time work with a Manitoba employer.

Employment Requirements

You may qualify if you:

• Hold a valid Canadian work permit.
• Have worked full-time for a Manitoba employer for at least six consecutive months and have received a permanent, full-time job offer from the same employer.
• If you graduated from a post-secondary institution in another Canadian province or territory, you must have completed at least one year of continuous full-time employment with a Manitoba employer before receiving a permanent, full-time job offer.

Please note that the following work experience does not count toward the required employment period:

• Self-employment
• Unauthorized employment
• Work completed while studying full-time, including co-op or internship placements that formed part of an academic program

Employer Requirements

Your Manitoba employer must:

• Be an established and actively operating business in Manitoba.
• Be legally registered or incorporated under Canadian or provincial legislation.
• Be able to offer a genuine, full-time, long-term employment opportunity.
• Demonstrate the capacity to support your permanent employment in Manitoba.

Applicant Requirements

To be eligible, you must also:

• Meet the education, training, licensing, or certification requirements for your occupation.
• Demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency to perform your job duties.
• Show that your employment connection to Manitoba is stronger than your ties to any other Canadian province or territory.
• Submit a settlement plan outlining your intention to live, work, and establish yourself permanently in Manitoba.

Who Is Not Eligible?

You are generally not eligible to apply under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway if you:

• Are a refugee claimant or are involved in a federal appeal or removal process.
• Are working in Canada as a Live-in Caregiver.
• Are a temporary foreign worker currently living and working outside Manitoba.
• Are the spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Received an MPNP refusal within the past six months and have not resolved the reasons for that refusal.
• Have an active immigration application with another Canadian provincial nominee program or a federal immigration program (an active Express Entry profile alone does not count as an immigration application).
• Already have an active MPNP application, or your spouse has one, under another MPNP stream or pathway.

Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO) Pathway

The Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO) pathway is designed for skilled professionals living outside Canada who have a genuine connection to Manitoba. Through this pathway, the province nominates qualified individuals who have the potential to successfully settle, work, and contribute to Manitoba’s economy.

Applicants must establish their connection to Manitoba through one of the following:

• Support from eligible family members or friends residing in Manitoba.
• Previous education or work experience completed in Manitoba.
• An Invitation to Apply (ITA) issued by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO) Pathway

To qualify for the Skilled Worker Overseas pathway, applicants must demonstrate an eligible connection to Manitoba through one of the following:

Manitoba Support

You may qualify if you have a close relative or eligible friend living in Manitoba who is willing to support your settlement and employment plans in the province.

Manitoba Experience

Applicants who have previously studied or worked in Manitoba may qualify by demonstrating their previous connection to the province.

Manitoba Invitation

Candidates who receive a direct Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the MPNP through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative may also be eligible under this pathway.

Minimum Points Requirement

In addition to having an eligible Manitoba connection, applicants must score at least 60 points under the MPNP assessment system. Points are awarded based on:

• Official language proficiency
• Age
• Skilled work experience
• Education
• Adaptability

Meeting the minimum points requirement alone is not sufficient. Applicants must also have an eligible Manitoba connection to be considered under this pathway.

Manitoba Support Requirements

If you are applying through Manitoba Support, your supporter must be an established resident of Manitoba who is either a close family member or an eligible friend.

Your Manitoba supporter must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have continuously lived in Manitoba for at least one year.
• Be able to provide proof of residence in Manitoba.
• Demonstrate a genuine relationship with you.
• Be willing to support your settlement and employment plans in Manitoba.
• Show a successful history of supporting previous applicants, where applicable.

Eligible Family Relationships

A Manitoba supporter may be related to you or your spouse as one of the following:

• Parent
• Grandparent
• Brother or sister
• Aunt or uncle
• Niece or nephew
• First cousin

Applicants applying through family support must provide documents establishing the family relationship. Eligible supporters may assist more than one applicant if they can demonstrate the ability to provide adequate settlement support.