Last verified: August 29, 2026 · Official source: immigratemanitoba.com
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
What is the MPNP?
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) allows Manitoba to nominate skilled workers, international graduates, and business investors for Canadian permanent residence. The MPNP can operate as a Base stream (standalone, not connected to the federal Express Entry pool) or as an Enhanced stream (Express Entry–linked, adding +600 CRS points).
2026 approach: Manitoba has shifted away from broad highest-score draws toward targeted occupation-specific and Strategic Recruitment rounds — inviting candidates in specific fields Manitoba needs.
→ Express Entry overview → All provincial nominees
Streams at a glance
Skilled Worker Stream
The core MPNP stream for workers with skilled experience. Has two main categories:
Skilled Worker in Manitoba For temporary foreign workers currently living and working in Manitoba. You may be eligible if you have:
- A valid Manitoba work permit and job offer from your current Manitoba employer, or
- Work experience in Manitoba in an in-demand occupation
Skilled Worker Overseas For workers outside Canada (or in Canada but not currently in Manitoba). Requires:
- A valid Manitoba job offer, or
- A close connection to Manitoba (e.g., family, previous work in Manitoba), or
- An active Express Entry profile with skills aligned to Manitoba's priorities
How draws run: Manitoba has moved away from pulling the highest-scoring profiles broadly, and runs occupation-specific draws alongside Strategic Recruitment rounds. Check immigratemanitoba.com/draws for the categories and cut-offs of each round.
International Education Stream
For international graduates who studied at a Manitoba post-secondary institution. It splits three ways:
- Career Employment Pathway — graduates with a full-time job offer on a contract of at least 1 year, in an occupation on Manitoba's in-demand list and consistent with what they studied. Language: CLB/NCLC 7 or higher
- Graduate Internship Pathway — graduates who completed a master's or doctoral degree in Manitoba within the past 3 years and finished a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship. Language: CLB/NCLC 7 or higher
- International Student Entrepreneur Pilot — a pilot for graduates who want to start a business in Manitoba
The first two pathways carry a funds requirement: liquid assets equal to the low income cut-off (LICO) for a 6 month period, or already being employed in a full-time long-term position in Manitoba.
Business Investor Stream
For experienced entrepreneurs and investors who want to start or acquire a business in Manitoba. Requires a business plan, meeting minimum net worth thresholds, and an active participation commitment. This stream uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
Express Entry connection (Enhanced pathway)
Manitoba selects candidates with an active IRCC Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code in its Enhanced draws. A Manitoba nomination through the Enhanced pathway:
- Adds +600 CRS points to your federal Express Entry profile
- Results in a federal ITAITA: Invitation to Apply — IRCC's formal invitation to submit a PR application. You have 60 days to apply after receiving an ITA. at the next draw (virtually guaranteed)
- Does not require a separate provincial PR application
Manitoba has kept drawing through 2026. Invitation counts and cut-offs move around enough from round to round that we do not reproduce them here. Check immigratemanitoba.com/draws for the most recent round.
How to apply
- Create an Expression of Interest (EOI) at immigratemanitoba.com — your score determines priority in draws.
- Wait for a draw or Strategic Recruitment invitation — Manitoba may also directly recruit in specific occupations or sectors.
- Receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) — you have a limited window to submit your full MPNP application.
- Apply for nomination — Manitoba reviews your application and, if approved, issues a provincial nomination.
- Apply to IRCC for PR — link the nomination to your Express Entry profile (Enhanced) or submit a direct PR application (Base).
What makes Manitoba's EOI score?
The MPNP ranks expressions of interest by score. The total is 1,000 points.
| Factor | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Language proficiency | 125 |
| Age | 75 |
| Work experience | 175 |
| Education | 125 |
| Adaptability | 500 |
| Risk assessment | up to 200 deducted |
The weighting tells you what this program is about: half the score sits in adaptability.
Adaptability in detail — these do not stack past the 500 cap; they are alternatives.
- Working continuously for the same Manitoba employer for 6 months or more, with a long-term offer from that employer · 500
- An invitation to apply under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative · 500
- A close relative in Manitoba · 200
- Previous Manitoba work experience of 6 months or more · 100
- Completed a program of 2 years or more in Manitoba · 100
- Completed a 1 year program in Manitoba · 50
- A close friend or distant relative · 50
- Planning to settle outside Winnipeg · 50
Deductions — work experience in another province −100, studies in another province −100.
Age pays the full 75 from 21 through 45, then falls each year from 46 and reaches 0 at 50 and above. Language pays 25 per ability where your first official language is CLB 8 or higher.
A connection to Manitoba
Required of every applicant. Any one of these does it:
- A close relative — parent, sibling, niece or nephew, aunt or uncle, first cousin, grandparent
- Previous authorized work experience in Manitoba
- Previous study in Manitoba
- A close friend or distant relative
- An invitation sent to you directly by the MPNP under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative
Settlement funds
The general requirement is $10,000 plus $2,000 for each accompanying family member. Applicants who submit an Express Entry profile follow the amounts IRCC sets instead. A skilled worker already employed in Manitoba may not have to meet the full amount, because the province also considers current income.
🔴 We do not publish per-draw cut-off scores or invitation counts here. They swing a lot from draw to draw and go stale fast. Check immigratemanitoba.com/draws for current results.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MPNP linked to Express Entry?
Yes. Through the Enhanced pathway, an MPNP nomination adds +600 CRS points to your federal Express Entry profile. Manitoba also runs Base draws that lead to PR directly through IRCC.
Do I need a connection to Manitoba?
A Manitoba connection — close family, prior Manitoba work, or Manitoba study — significantly raises your EOI score, and the Skilled Worker Overseas stream generally requires a connection, a Manitoba job offer, or an aligned Express Entry profile.
How is the MPNP EOI scored?
Manitoba ranks Expression of Interest profiles on factors including connection to Manitoba, Manitoba work experience, language, education, skilled work experience, and whether you hold a qualifying Manitoba job offer. Estimate yours with the Manitoba MPNP calculator.
Does the MPNP require a job offer?
Not always — the Skilled Worker streams can rely on a Manitoba connection or an aligned Express Entry profile instead — but a qualifying Manitoba job offer strengthens your EOI.