Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Manitoba PNP Guide

The Business Investor Stream (BIS) enables Manitoba to attract and nominate capable business investors and entrepreneurs globally. These individuals must possess the intention and capability to initiate or acquire businesses within the province. The stream consists of two pathways:

1. The Entrepreneur Pathway (EP) caters to applicants looking to launch a business in Manitoba.
2. The Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) is designed for those planning to establish and manage a farm operation in rural Manitoba.

• You should undertake an in-person exploratory visit to Manitoba.
• The business research visit enables the applicant to thoroughly investigate their prospective business investment or proposal. This visit should take place within one year before submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI).
• During your business research visit in Manitoba, you have the opportunity to participate in information sessions for the Business Investor Stream (BIS). These sessions furnish comprehensive insights into the BIS and offer information about conducting business in Manitoba.

Adaptability

• Points will be assigned based on the following criteria:
• If your spouse possesses CLB/NCLC 5 or higher. If you or your spouse has CLB/NCLC 5 or higher in the second official language. If you, your spouse, or common-law partner has a close relative who has been residing in Manitoba for over one year.
• If your child is actively pursuing academic, professional, or vocational training on a full-time basis at an accredited Manitoba educational institution for at least six months before submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI). If you, your accompanying spouse, or common-law partner completed a program of full-time study for at least one year at a post-secondary institution in Manitoba after turning 17, and with a valid study permit.
• If you, your accompanying spouse, or common-law partner have undertaken at least six months of continuous full-time employment in Manitoba. A letter of reference from the employer and a copy of the work permit must be provided.

Age

• There is no minimum or maximum age; however, ranking points are allocated to candidates between 25 to 49 years of age.

You could qualify for multiple streams and/or pathways.

For the Entrepreneur Pathway, the basic eligibility criteria include:

• Business experience: A minimum of three (3) years of full-time work experience in the last five (5) years, either as an active business owner (with a minimum ownership of 33% or one-third) or in a senior management role of a successful business.
• Net worth: A minimum of $500,000 CAD.
• Official language proficiency: A minimum CLB/NCLC 5.
• Education: A minimum equivalent to a Canadian high school certificate.

To assess your ranking score under the Entrepreneur Pathway, the Self-Assessment Form is available. The complete evaluation of your eligibility will be carried out by the MPNP upon receiving a comprehensive application.

Step 2: Submit your Expression of Interest to the MPNP

After finishing Step 1, you can send your Expression of Interest (EOI) via email to [email protected], including the following documents:

• Business Concept Form
• Self-Assessment Form
• MPNP Code of Conduct

Currently, there are no EOI draws for the Business Investor Stream. All received EOIs undergo review within four weeks. The MPNP will issue a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) if the EOI aligns with the program’s requirements or provide a feedback letter if the EOI falls short of expectations.

Step 3: Receive an LAA and submit your complete application

• Entrepreneur meeting criteria and gaining Business Concept approval receives a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) from MPNP.
• Follow application instructions, provide all documents listed in the Document Checklist.
• Verify net worth and source of funds with one of two designated third-party service providers.
• Within 120 days of LAA, submit a complete electronic application with a non-refundable CAD $2,500 fee.
• MPNP does not accept paper applications. Include all checklist documents, a Third Party Verification Report copy, and a comprehensive Business Plan in the application package.

Step 4: Assessment of your application

1. A Business Immigration Officer (BIO) will conduct a thorough evaluation of a complete application, considering the established eligibility criteria of the MPNP.
2. The MPNP retains the authority to prioritize applications from businesses that bring substantial economic advantages to Manitoba.
3. Two BIOs, at a minimum, will assess your application, scrutinizing the provided information before making a recommendation for approval or refusal.
4. Upon approval, a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) must be signed before the MPNP issues a work permit support letter.

Note: Please be aware that the MPNP may extend an invitation for an interview as part of the assessment process.

Step 5. Operate a Business in Manitoba

• Once you Obtain a work permit before arriving in Manitoba.
• Within 30 days of arrival, visit the MPNP in person to provide your Manitoba address and telephone number.
• Upon reporting, you will be assigned a Business Immigration Officer as your point of contact.
• All approved applicants must adhere to the terms of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA) and report to the MPNP within 30
• days of arriving with a temporary work permit.
• Business Immigration Officers can offer guidance on executing your business plan, understanding the local business environment and
• culture, navigating regulatory requirements, establishing processes for successful operation, and connecting with external business
• support agencies tailored to your start-up plans.

Step 6: Final recommendation

Upon fulfilling the terms and conditions of the Business Plan (BP), an entrepreneur applicant will receive a provincial nomination certificate from the Government of Manitoba. This certificate allows the entrepreneur to apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent resident status.

• If the terms and conditions in the BPA are not met, the MPNP may reject your application.
• Reasons for rejection include failure to fulfill BPA obligations before the expiry date. Confirmed breaches of the BPA or discovery of discrepancies in application information may lead to rejection.
• IRCC or other authorities confirming fraudulent documentation can also result in rejection.

Step 1: Explore and research farm business in Manitoba

• Confirm that you satisfy the minimum criteria for the Farm Investor Pathway.
• Fill out a Farm Investor Pathway Interest Guidelines Form.
• Ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements before proceeding to the next stage.
  • Pay careful attention to adaptability, particularly regarding your practical farming skills, technical knowledge, and experience in technology-based farming practices that can seamlessly transition into Manitoba’s current primary farm production industry.
  • Your existing farm operation should be akin to current Manitoba farming operations concerning technology usage, technological practices, scale, equipment, production output, and other relevant factors.

Eligible Farm Business Investment

• Residency Requirement: The farm investor must reside in rural Manitoba daily.
• Economic Viability: The farm business must be economically viable and actively involved in primary agricultural production.
• Land Use Restriction: Farmland must not be leased to others.
• Active Management: The farm investor must actively manage the farm day-to-day, without using a third party or farm manager.
• Avoidance of Speculation: The farm investor must not purchase a farm solely for land value appreciation.

Step 2: Complete the Interest Guidelines and Farm Business Concept forms

Conduct research on your intended farm business in Manitoba and familiarize yourself with the province. After evaluating your research findings and self-assessing against the FIP eligibility criteria, you might want to fill out a Farm Business Concept Form.

1. Begin by completing the Interest Guidelines form as a potential applicant.
2. Provide self-assessed details in the form, covering areas such as past education, adaptability, farm business experience, language proficiency, and personal net worth.
3. Understand that the Interest Guidelines form serves a purpose similar to an Expression of Interest (EOI).
4. Use the completed form to apply for the Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway.

Step 3: Submit your Interest Guidelines and Farm Business Concept forms to the MPNP

Upon concluding your research on the farm business and confirming eligibility for the FIP, you may submit the necessary forms via email to the MPNP. The required forms include:

1. Your Interest Guidelines Form
2. Your Farm Business Concept Form
3. Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives, if applicable

You will receive a response via email. If you fail to meet the minimum criteria for the stream, your business concept will not undergo review. It’s essential to understand that the business concept submission is not an application to the MPNP.

Step 4: Submit your full application to the MPNP

• If you have received a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) to the MPNP, you will be sent a detailed email with instructions.
  • Your LAA may request verification of your net worth and financial information through a designated third-party service provider.
• Carefully read and adhere to the provided Instructions and Document Checklist.
• Electronic submission (via email) of all provincial and federal forms is mandatory;
• physical copies of these forms will not be accepted. However, physical copies (hard copies) of supporting documents can be submitted by mail or in person.
• To ensure your application is considered complete, all documents specified in the Instructions and Document Checklist, along with your net worth verification report, must be submitted, and the application fee must be paid within 120 days of receiving your LAA.

Step 5: Application assessment

• Your comprehensive application will undergo evaluation by the MPNP, and this may involve an interview.
• Should your application meet all the MPNP requirements, you will be issued a nomination certificate.
• Upon approval for nomination, you will be directed to sign a Deposit Agreement and submit a deposit of CAD$75,000.

Step 6: Apply for permanent residence

• After receiving the nomination, you can apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
• If your IRCC application is assessed positively, you will be granted a permanent resident visa.

Step 7: Establish your farm business in Manitoba

• Within 30 days of becoming a Permanent Resident, inform the MPNP of your updated contact details.
• MPNP Business Immigration Officers from the Immigration Programs Branch are available to provide information, feedback, and guidance.