The Canadian province of Manitoba has announced a series of changes in its Provincial Nominee Program. New pathways have been introduced for investors and international students.

Manitoba restructured its Provincial Nominee program by including an in-demand occupation list into its immigration system. This list is to be used to prioritize Expressions of Interest (EOI) for inviting applications from the new Skilled Worker Overseas stream.

The new changes in Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) introduce all new ways for the new-comers to become a permanent resident of the province. This includes changes to its three in-practice immigration streams – MPNP-B business immigration stream, Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream and Skilled Worker Overseas Steam. Also, a new International Education Stream has come into existence with these reforms.

The MPNP-B stream which is a business class stream to immigrate to Manitoba has been changed to the Business Investor stream (BIS), which is further sub-divided into Entrepreneur stream and Farm Investor stream.

The new Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream will also be subdivided into two pathways: the Manitoba Work Experience Pathway, which is for people currently working in Manitoba under the temporary work permit and Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway, which is international workers holding job offer in Manitoba.

The Skilled Worker Overseas stream will now be subdivided into two pathways — the Manitoba Express Entry Pathway and the Human Capital Pathway.

The Express Entry will allow Manitoba to nominate skilled applicants, who meet the entry criteria and have an active Express Entry profile. However, priority will be given to candidates who have a minimum of six-month experience in an in-demand occupation as well as a close friend or relative in Manitoba or a valid Invitation to Apply issued by the MPNP.

The Human Capital Pathway is for international skilled worker applicants with skills and training covered by the In-demand Occupations list, and who demonstrate a high potential for establishing themselves in their chosen occupations sooner after arrival in Manitoba.

An all-new International Education Stream has also come into play to help international students to graduate from Manitoba.