Manitoba Entrepreneur Immigration
Manitoba Business Investor Stream: Entrepreneur Pathway
The two pathways that target qualified entrepreneurs and investors in specific business immigration categories include the Entrepreneur Pathway and the Farm Investor Pathway.
The Business Investor Stream (BIS) of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is designed to attract the qualified entrepreneurs and experienced business investors, business owners, and senior managers who have the intent and ability to start or purchase a business in Manitoba for Canadian permanent residence.
The BIS pathways operate on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system whereby potential applicants submit their intention to apply before they can apply to the program.
The Entrepreneur Pathway of the Manitoba Business Investor Stream
The Entrepreneur Pathway targets qualified international business people who wish to establish or purchase a business or become partners in an existing business in Manitoba. Potential candidates who arrive in Canada on a temporary resident permit must purchase, start, or join a business within 24 months of arrival to obtain permanent resident status.
The province has implemented an application process that allows the potential candidates to express their interest in the pathways through the submission of required forms. Of course, the province has stated that the process will be online after the upcoming changes to the MPNP are fully implemented. The process is outlined below.
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Step 1: Eligibility for the Entrepreneur Pathway
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in the table below, potential applicants will be ranked against one another using the MPNP Entrepreneur Ranking System. They must complete a self-assessment form that assesses eligibility over the following factors:
- Human capital factors (age, education, business experience, and language proficiency)
- Investment factors (net worth, business investment, economic priorities, and a business research visit to Manitoba)
- Adaptability factor (assessing the potential applicant’s existing connection to Manitoba)
The self-assessment form will help the applicants to determine if they meet the minimum criteria for the Entrepreneur Pathway. When completing the self-assessment form, the applicants obtain a score out of 150 based on their profile. The full assessment of the eligibility will be done by the MPNP after the complete application is received.
| Minimum requirement for Manitoba Entrepreneur | |
| Business Experience | Minimum of three years of full-time work experience in the past five years either as an active business owner (minimum 33% or 1/3 ownership) or working in a senior management role of a successful business.
Business owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers. |
| Language ability | Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 |
| Education | Minimum Canadian high school certificate equivalent |
| Age | No minimum or maximum age; however, ranking points are allocated to candidates 25 to 49 years of age. |
| Business Investment | The minimum investment is $250,000 for businesses situated in the Manitoba Capital Region.
The minimum investment is $150,000 if a business is situated outside of the Manitoba Capital Region. Business Investment must be made in an eligible business as defined by the MPNP. The proposed business must create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident in Manitoba (excluding owners of the business and/or their close relatives). |
| Business Research Visit | A Business Plan is required and is an integral part of the application.
A business research visit allows the applicant to conduct extensive research on their future business investment or proposal. The Business Research Visit must be conducted no more than one year prior to the submission of your EOI. |
| Adaptability | Points will be allocated to you if:
– Your spouse/partner has CLB/NCLC 5 or higher; |
| Net Worth | Minimum of $500,000 CAD
Your personal net worth will be verified by a third-party supplier approved by the MPNP. A verification report, along with the application, must be submitted to the MPNP within 120 days of receiving your LAA. |
| Business Performance Agreement | After an application is approved, a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) must be signed prior to the MPNP issuing you a letter of support for applying for a work permit. |
The points of the factors mentioned above are as follows:
| Age | Points |
| Under 20 | 0 |
| 25 to 30 | 4 |
| 31 to 35 | 6 |
| 36 to 45 | 10 |
| 46 | 8 |
| 47 | 6 |
| 48 | 4 |
| 49 | 2 |
| Over 50 | 0 |
[faq title=”” open1st=”0″ openAll=”0″][faq_item title=”Education (Maximum 10 points)” number=”2″]
| Education | Points |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma (two-year program) | 4 |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma (three-year program or longer) | 6 |
| Master’s degree or equivalent | 8 |
| University degree at a Doctoral (Ph.D.) level | 10 |
| None of the above | 0 |
Applicants with middle or entry-level management experience or self-employed business ownership experience will not be awarded points.
| Business Owner | Points |
| 11 years or more as a business owner | 30 |
| 7 to 10 years as a business owner | 25 |
| 3 to 6 years as a business owner | 20 |
| Senior Manager | Points |
| 7 years or more as a senior manager | 10 |
| 3 to 6 years as a senior manager | 5 |
The language test results must be less than 2 years old.
| Language level | Points |
| CLB/NCLC 5 | 10 |
| CLB/NCLC 6 | 15 |
| CLB/NCLC 7 | 20 |
| CLB/NCLC 8 or higher | 25 |
Assets and liabilities owned by the potential applicant, a spouse or common-law partner, and/or dependent children may be included in the self-assessment form when calculating total net worth. A maximum of 10 points will be awarded based on total net worth.
| Net Worth | Points |
| $500,000 to $1 Million | 5 |
| Above $1 Million to $1.5 Million | 6 |
| Above $1.5 Million to $2 Million | 7 |
| Above $2 Million to $2.5 Million | 8 |
| Above $2.5 Million to $3 Million | 9 |
| Above $3 Million | 10 |
A maximum of 15 points may be awarded for business investment.
| Business Investment | Points |
| $200,000 – $499,999 | 10 |
| $500,000-$899,000 | 12 |
| $900,000 or above | 15 |
| None of the above | 0 |
Economic Priorities
The Manitoba Entrepreneur will award an entrepreneur up to 5 points for the economic priorities of the proposed business. Economic priorities are evaluated based on the value that a business adds to a product/service by utilizing Manitoba resources, such as materials, plant, and machinery, labor, and expertise.
The business is also evaluated on its performance and its ability to generate profit. The 5 points of economic priorities will be awarded if the business meets the following conditions:
- the business is an export-oriented value-added active business with recurring activities in Manitoba, or
- the business location or succession is outside the Manitoba Capital Region.
The proposed business must create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident in Manitoba (excluding owners of the business and/or their close relatives).
Business Research Visit to Manitoba
Individuals interested in establishing a business in Manitoba will be awarded up to 20 points for their business research visit.
Business visit points are based on the following:
- If the entrepreneur visited Manitoba for at least five consecutive days and conducted relevant business, s/he will be awarded 10 points; however;
- If the entrepreneur completed an extended Business Research Visit to Manitoba (spent at least for 10 consecutive days in Manitoba and conducted extensive relevant business and lifestyle-related research during this visit), s/he will be awarded the maximum 20 points.
A maximum of 25 points is awarded to applicants with close relatives in Manitoba, a spouse/common-law partner with language ability, and children studying in Manitoba. The table below outlines how points are awarded for adaptability:
| Adaptability Factor | Points |
| Applicant’s spouse /common-law partner has CLB /NCLC 5 or above | 10 |
| Applicant’s spouse /common-law partner has CLB /NCLC 5 or above in Canada’s Second Official Language | 10 |
| The applicant has a close relative currently residing in Manitoba for more than one year. The following are identified as close relatives: A sister/brother, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, parent, grandparent, or first cousin who is also a Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada. | 5 |
| The applicant has a child enrolled in an accredited Manitoba educational institution at least six months prior to the date of submission of EOI and is actively pursuing academic, professional, or vocational training on a full-time basis. | 5 |
| Applicant’s accompanying spouse/common-law partner completed a program of full-time study for at least one year at a post-secondary educational institution in Manitoba. The applicant or his or her accompanying spouse or common-law partner must have done this after they have turned 18 years old and with a valid study permit; and/or
Applicant’s accompanying spouse /common-law partner completed at least six months of continuous full-time employment in Manitoba. |
5 |
Step 2: Explore Manitoba
The Entrepreneur Pathway of Manitoba Business Investor Stream requires potential applicants to explore Manitoba and conduct in-depth research of opportunities in the proposed area of business. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to visit Manitoba and attend business seminars held by the Business Consulting Unit (BCU) of the Immigration and Economic Opportunities Division. They must complete and submit a Business Concept Form as well, which outlines business opportunities and research efforts.
The entrepreneur is required to describe and outline the following items in the Business Concept Form:
- the business opportunity identified in Manitoba
- the research that helped him or her identify the business as a viable opportunity
- how his or her background, training, and experience will help in developing this business opportunity
- the intended investment and his or her financial position (i.e. plans for financing, availability of liquid assets, etc.)
- how the product and/or service will be marketed and identify the business’s competitive advantage over other competitors
- critical resource requirements, such as locations, specialized equipment, the involvement of suppliers, distributors, key personnel, and technology
- implementation timelines taking into consideration possibilities for early of relayed business establishment
- critical risk factors and explain risk management strategies to overcome these risks
- further research required to finalize the business plan; and
- how the business will help contribute to Manitoba’s economic growth with the number of jobs the business is expected to create and maintain the first year of operation
Even if the exploratory visit is not required, it is still a good idea to visit Manitoba prior to establishing or purchasing a business in the province. It will give you a better understanding of the business opportunities as well as lifestyle in Manitoba; hence it will help you to consolidate your application.
Step 3: Submit your self-assessment and business concept forms to the MPNP
You must email the initial forms to mpnp-businessstream@gov.mb.ca. The forms include the Business Concept form, the Self-assessment form, and the Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives (if you are using a representative). This submission does not represent an application to the MPNP. Potential candidates who submit these forms will be told by email if they are eligible to submit a full application or not. Eligible candidates are ranked against one another using the MPNP Entrepreneur Ranking System. The province states that if a potential candidate does not meet the minimum eligibility criteria requirements (outlined in the table in Step 1), their business concept will not be reviewed.
Step 4: Submit an application to the MPNP
During the interim process, potential candidates with the most competitive profiles will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) after their Self-assessment and Business Concept forms have been reviewed. The LAA contains further information about required documents and instructions for submitting a full application to the MPNP. This includes a net worth and source of funds verification, which is conducted by an approved third-party supplier. It is necessary to follow the application instructions and provide all the documents listed in the Document Checklist. All documents and fees need to be submitted within 120 days of receiving the LAA. The candidates are required to pay a possessing fee by wire transfer in the amount of $2,500.00 CAD when submitting an application to the MPNP. Processing fees are not refundable. A complete application package includes all documents in the checklist, a copy of the Third Party Verification Report, as well as an extensive Business Plan.
Step 5: Application assessment
The assessment of the application is determined by the established eligibility criteria of the MPNP. The MPNP reserves the right to prioritize the applications for businesses that contribute significant economic benefits to Manitoba. The review and assessment of each application may include an interview.
The MPNP will send the applicants, whose assessments raise concerns, a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL). The PFL allows applicants to address the MPNP’s concerns before an official refusal is issued.
Successful applicants will receive an approval letter by email and must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) outlining the terms of their business in Manitoba. The BPA will serve as a contractual agreement between the applicant and the MPNP. Then, the MPNP will issue a letter of support for a work permit. Note that if you receive a letter of support at this point, you will not yet have Canadian permanent resident status. You will just be able to enter Canada and obtain a work permit to launch your business. The letter of support must be included in the application for a temporary work permit submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 6: Operate a business in Manitoba
With the work permit, you can start or purchase your business, as outlined in your business plan. The BCU offers information, feedback, and guidance on establishing the business successfully and accessing business settlement support services during this stage through the support of Business Consulting Officers.
You are required to submit regular progress reports and updates to the MPNP. It may monitor your business activities to verify whether the terms and conditions of the BPA, such as the timeline, are honored.
Step 7: Receive an MPNP nomination and apply for permanent resident status
Once you have successfully fulfilled the terms and conditions outlined in the BPA you signed when your application was approved, the MPNP issues a certificate of provincial nomination, with which you can apply to the Canadian government for permanent resident status.
