Skilled workers overseas
The Skilled Workers Overseas Program is one of the various immigration programs in this category included within the MPNP, a PNP administered by the territory of Manitoba.
International workers linked to Manitoba may receive continual Canadian residence through the Manitoba SWO class of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
This stream focuses andon targets international citizens with the abilities and foreign work practice needed to serve Manitoba’s labor force and explain a connection to the province.
Basic Criteria
To qualify for this classification, applicants need to:
- Point Threshold: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 60 out of 100 points on the points assessment grid.
- Connection to Manitoba: Eligible candidates must demonstrate an established connection to Manitoba through one of the following means:
- Support from friends or family residing in Manitoba.
- Previous work experience or educational background in the province.
- Receipt of an Invitation to Apply issued by the MPNP.
Note: Each form of connection to the province has its own specific requirements.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
What are the Manitoba Support Eligibility Criteria?
To qualify as a Manitoba Supporter, an individual must:
- Provide documentation demonstrating continuous residency in Manitoba for a minimum of one year.
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Demonstrate sufficiently close ties to both the applicant and the province.
- For close relatives, both the applicant and the supporter must provide documentation verifying their familial relationship.
- Close relatives include:
- Sisters or brothers
- Nieces or nephews
- Aunts or uncles
- First cousins
- Mothers or fathers
- Grandmothers or grandfathers.
- Demonstrate that any previous applications they supported resulted in a successful, permanent economic establishment in Manitoba.
- Be able to support the applicant’s settlement plan.
Please note:
- Paid immigration representatives, Canadian elected officials, and their staff are ineligible to be Manitoba supporters.
- Children residing in Manitoba cannot sponsor their parents; instead, they are advised to consider parent and grandparent sponsorship.
Manitoba Experience Eligibility
To apply under the Manitoba Experience category, candidates must have previously resided in the province either as a temporary foreign worker or as an international student.
Eligibility Criteria for Candidates with Previous Work Experience in Manitoba:
- Have engaged in full-time employment with a Manitoba employer for at least six consecutive months.
- Provide a signed employer letter of reference on official company letterhead.
- Submit a copy of their work permit demonstrating their employment in the province.
Eligibility Criteria for Candidates with Previous Educational Experience in Manitoba:
- Have completed an authorized educational or training program at a public or registered private vocational post-secondary institution in Manitoba.
- Submit their study permit(s), academic transcripts, and any certificates, diplomas, or degrees obtained upon program completion.
Manitoba Invitation Process
The following can be used to illustrate the invitation process:
1. Invitation Issuance:
- The MPNP regularly extends invitations for permanent residence to eligible candidates identified through its strategic recruitment initiatives.
- Invitations are issued at the discretion of the MPNP, and candidates cannot independently opt to utilize this connection to Manitoba.
2. Submission of a Letter of Invitation:
- Candidates must provide the Letter of Invitation received from the MPNP following their interview during a recruitment mission or exploratory visit.
- Overseas recruitment missions are conducted regularly, often in collaboration with Manitoba employers, to identify potential immigrants.
3. Request for Exploratory Visit:
- During specified periods, the MPNP accepts requests for exploratory visits to Manitoba.
- These visits allow potential MPNP applicants to explore communities and job prospects to determine their genuine intention and capacity to settle in Manitoba as permanent residents.
- Exploratory visits must be arranged through and approved by the MPNP only upon invitation.
4. Eligibility Criteria for an Exploratory Visit:
- Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, including age requirements (21 to 45), employability, educational qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and the ability to secure employment in Manitoba.
5. Submission of Required Documentation:
- Candidates must submit necessary documentation, including a Settlement Plan and official language test results, demonstrating their genuine intention and capability to economically establish and settle in Manitoba as permanent residents.
6. Approval and Arrangement of Visit:
- Upon meeting eligibility criteria and submitting required documentation, the MPNP approves and arranges the exploratory visit.
- The MPNP provides guidance on visit procedures and the required documentation to ensure a smooth process.
