Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has an entrepreneur pathway under the Business Investor Stream (BIS) that allows entrepreneurs from across the world with intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba, to settle in the province. The Entrepreneur Pathway was introduced by the MPNP replacing the previous MPNP-B stream. Through the entrepreneur pathway, qualified entrepreneurs can establish, purchase a business or become partners in an existing business within the first 24 months of arriving in Canada on a temporary work permit.
Eligibility criteria for applicants
Business Experience
The candidates must have minimum three years of full time work experience either as an active business owner or in a senior management role of a successful business, earned in the five years prior to submitting the application. However, those who have experience as business owners will receive more points than senior managers. Another requirement is that business owners must have at least 33 1/3 percent ownership to qualify.
Language proficiency
The required official language proficiency for applicants to the Entrepreneur Pathway is minimum CLB/NCLC 5.
Education qualification
The applicant must have education equivalent to Canadian high school certificate or higher
Age
No minimum or maximum age is specified for the Entreprenuer pathway. However, ranking points are allocated to candidates between 25 to 49 years of age.
Business investment
If the proposed business is situated in the Manitoba Capital Region, the minimum required investment is $250,000. The Manitoba Capital Region (MCR) is the area surrounding Winnipeg, the capital and the largest city in the province. It comprises 16 municipalities. They are:
- The City of Winnipeg
- The City of Selkirk
- The Town of Stonewall
- Cartier
- East St. Paul
- Headingley
- Macdonald
- Ritchot
- Rockwood
- Rosser
- St. Andrews
- St. Clements
- St. Francois-Xavier
- Springfield
- Taché
- St. Paul
But if the business is situated outside Manitoba Capital Region, the required minimum investment is $150,000. The investment must be made in a business considered eligible by MPNP. The business has to create job for at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Manitoba.
Business Research Visit
The candidates have to submit a Business Plan as part of the application. They shall conduct a Business Research Visit to Manitoba get a clearer idea about the business environment and market where they are planning to start the business. The visit is supposed to be conducted within one year prior submitting the Expression of Interest (EoI).
Adaptability
Points are awarded to candidates based on adaptability factors. These are applicable if:
-The candidate’s spouse has CLB/NCLC 5 or higher
-The candidate or their spouse/common law partner has CLB/NCLC 5 or higher in the Second Official Language
-The candidate or their spouse/common law partner has a close relative in Manitoba who has been residing there for more than one year
-The candidate’s child is actively pursuing academic, professional or vocational training on a full-time basis in an accredited Manitoba educational institution for at least six months prior to the date of submission of EOI
-The candidate/accompanying spouse or common-law partner has completed a full-time study program for at least one year at a post-secondary institution in Manitoba.
– The candidate/accompanying spouse or common-law partner has minimum six months of continuous full time work experience in Manitoba.
Net worth
The minimum required net worth to apply through Entreprenuer pathway is $500,000 CAD. The personal net worth of the applicant will be verified by a third-party supplier approved by the MPNP. The verification report has to be submitted to the MPNP along with the application within 120 days after the candidate receives a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA).
Business Performance Agreement
If the candidate meets all the requirements, MPNP will approve the application. But before the MPNP issues a letter of support to apply for a work permit, the candidate has to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA). A BPA elaborates on the obligations that have to be fulfilled by the candidate and his/her proposed business. These obligations have to be fulfilled within the time specified in the BPA.
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