The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway targets experienced business owners or senior managers with the intention to establish a new business in Manitoba.
The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway is one stream of the Manitoba Business Investor Stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Manitoba. The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway targets experienced business owners or senior managers with the intention to establish a new business in Manitoba.
After successfully operating a business in Manitoba for a period of time, candidates applying through the Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. The Manitoba Entrepreneur Program uses the MPNP Entrepreneur Ranking System to assess eligibility and select applicants. Simply meeting the minimum eligibility requirements may not be sufficient to receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). Candidate must also meet the eligibility requirement of this program. Please note that this stream is replacing the MPNP-B pathway which previously enabled business owners and entrepreneurs to apply for immigration to Manitoba.
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | CLB 5 |
| Level of Education | High school |
| Work Experience | 3 years, business owner or senior manager |
| Investment Requirement | Investment: $150,000 CAD or $250,000 CAD Net Worth: $500,000 CAD |
Language Proficiency
All candidates for this program must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5. Language tests must have been taken within the two years prior to applying to the program.
Level of Education
Candidates for this stream must have completed a minimum of Canadian high school education or a foreign equivalent.
Work Experience
In order to qualify to submit an Expression of Interest for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway, a candidate must be able to prove they have the interest, ability, and financial resources to own and actively manage a business in Manitoba. For this reason, the program requires a high level of business management experience as well as a significant financial net worth.
The applicant must have at least three (3) years of work experience as a business owner or senior business manager. This experience must have been obtained within the previous 5 years. The applicant will also have to maintain an active role in their proposed business.
Investment Required
This stream requires a significant net worth and investment on the part of the applicant. The applicant must have a minimum net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. The minimum investment amount varies depending on the location of the proposed business:
- In Manitoba Capital Region (Winnipeg) If the proposed business is located within the Manitoba Capital Region, encompassing the city of Winnipeg, the applicant must make a minimum personal investment of at least $250,000 CAD.
- Outside Manitoba Capital Region If the proposed business is located outside of the Manitoba Capital Region, the applicant must invest at least $150,000 CAD.
Candidates will be required to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) explaining how they will establish and invest in the Manitoba business. The proposed business must meet certain criteria, including creating at least one employment opportunity for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Application Procedure
The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway first requires interested candidates to submit an Expression of Interest to MPNP by emailing a self-assessment form along with a business concept form. It is encouraged for candidates to complete extensive research into their proposed Manitoba business, including through an in-person exploratory visit to Manitoba.
Eligible candidates are ranked against one another using the MPNP Entrepreneur Ranking System (mentioned below), and those with the most competitive profiles receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA), inviting them to submit an official application to MPNP. After receiving an LAA, candidates must submit a complete PNP application to Manitoba.
If the application is approved, Manitoba will email an approval letter, enabling the applicant to apply for a Canadian work permit and travel to Canada to launch their business. At this stage, the applicant must sign a Business Performance Agreement, outlining the terms of their business in Manitoba.
After successfully completing the terms of their Business Performance Agreement, an applicant will officially be nominated by the province of Manitoba and will be invited to submit a federal application for permanent residence.
MPNP Entrepreneur Ranking System
Candidates who submit Expressions of Interest to the MPNP Entrepreneur Pathway will be ranked against one another using the points-based MPNP Entrepreneur Ranking System. Only those candidates with the most competitive profiles will be selected. The ranking system is as follows:
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Human Capital Factors | |
| Age | 10 |
| Education | 10 |
| Business Experience | 30 |
| Language Ability | 25 |
| Investment Factors | |
| Net Worth | 10 |
| Business Investment above minimum | 15 |
| Economic Priorities | 5 |
| Business Research Visit | 20 |
| Adaptability Factors (max. 25 points) | |
| Spouse language ability | 10 |
| Ability in second official language | 10 |
| Close Relative in MB | 5 |
| Child in MB | 5 |
| Previous study and/or work in MB | 5 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Age
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | 0 |
| 25 to 30 | 4 |
| 31 to 35 | 6 |
| 36 to 45 | 10 |
| 46 | 8 |
| 47 | 6 |
| 48 | 4 |
| 49 | 2 |
| Over 50 | 0 |
| Maximum | 10 |
Education
| Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary degree or diploma (2 years) | 4 |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma (3 years or more) | 6 |
| Master’s degree or equivalent | 8 |
| University degree at a Doctoral (PhD) level | 10 |
| None of the above | 0 |
| Maximum | 10 |
Business Experience
| Business Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| Possible Points – Business Owner | |
| 11 years or more | 30 |
| 7 to 10 years | 25 |
| 3 to 6 years | 20 |
| Possible Points – Senior Manager | |
| 7 years or more | 10 |
| 3 to 6 years | 5 |
| Maximum | 30 |
Language Ability
| Language Proficiency | Points |
|---|---|
| less than CLB 5 | 0 |
| CLB 5 | 10 |
| CLB 6 | 15 |
| CLB 7 | 20 |
| CLB 8 or higher | 25 |
| Maximum | 25 |
Net Worth
| Total Net Worth | Points |
|---|---|
| $500,000 CAD to $1 million CAD | 5 |
| $1 million CAD to $1.5 million CAD | 6 |
| $1.5 million CAD to $2 million CAD | 7 |
| $2 million CAD to $2.5 million CAD | 8 |
| $2.5 million CAD to $3 million CAD | 9 |
| Above $3 million CAD | 10 |
| Maximum | 10 |
Business Investment
| Business Investment | Points |
|---|---|
| $200,000 CAD to $499,999 CAD | 10 |
| $500,000 CAD to $899,999 CAD | 12 |
| $900,000 CAD or higher | 15 |
| None of the above | 0 |
| Maximum | 15 |
Economic Priorities
| Economic Priorities | Points |
|---|---|
| Export oriented value-added active business with recurring activities in Manitoba | 5 |
| or | |
| Business location or succession outside Manitoba Capital Region | 5 |
| None of the above | 0 |
| Maximum | 5 |
Business Research Visit
| Business Research Visit | Points |
|---|---|
| You have visited Manitoba for at least five consecutive days and conducted relevant business | 10 |
| or | |
| You have completed an extended business research visit for at least 10 consecutive days or longer. | 20 |
| None of the above | 10 |
| Maximum | 20 |
Adaptability
| Adaptability | Points |
|---|---|
| Spouse/common-law partner has CLB 5 or above in English or French. | 10 |
| You or your spouse/common-law partner has CLB 5 in Canada’s second official language. | 10 |
| You have a close relative currently residing in Manitoba for more than one year. | 5 |
| Your child is enrolled in an accredited Manitoba educational institution for at least 6 months prior to submission. | 5 |
| You or your spouse/common-law partner has at least 12-months of full-time study in Manitoba, or, 6 months of continuous, full-time employment in Manitoba. | 5 |
| Maximum | 25 |
