The Entrepreneur Pathway is designed for business owners who would like to position themselves in Manitoba by acquiring, launching, or partnering in an existing firm. Potential candidates enter Canada on a temporary resident permit and must purchase, establish, or join a business within 2 years after arrival to gain permanent resident status.
The present application process for the Manitoba Business Investor Stream: Entrepreneur Pathway is likely to change when more MPNP improvements are implemented. These upgrades were originally intended for 2018, however, the MPNP renewal project has been postponed for several years.
The province has developed an interim application procedure as part of the “soft launch” of the Entrepreneur Pathway of the Manitoba Business Investor Stream stream, which we shall cover below.
This method allows potential candidates to express their interest in the pathways by submitting relevant documents. However, the province has announced that the process will be online once the forthcoming modifications to the MPNP are completely implemented.
What are the minimum eligibility requirements?
| Criteria | Minimum requirement |
| Business Experience | A minimum of three years of full-time work experience in the last five years, either as an active company owner or in a senior management position in a successful organization, with business owners receiving more points than senior managers, however, owners must own at least 33 or 1/3 of the company to qualify for points. |
| Language ability | It is essential to have language skills of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5. |
| Education | Applicants must have a Canadian high school diploma equivalent. |
| Age | There is no minimum or maximum age; nevertheless, applicants between the ages of 25 and 49 get ranking points. |
| Business Investment | For businesses located in the Manitoba Capital Region (MCR), the minimum investment is $250,000 USD. The required minimum investment is $150,000 if the business is located outside of the MCR.
The said investment must be made to a qualified business as defined by the MPNP. Also, the business must generate or sustain at least one employee that is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident in Manitoba, excluding the firm’s owners and/or close family.
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| Business Research Visit | The business research visit helps the applicant to undertake an in-depth study on their potential business investment or proposition. The Business Research Visit should be completed within a year of submitting your EOI. |
| Adaptability | You will receive points if and only if the following conditions are met: ● your spouse or common-law partner hold a CLB/NCLC 5 or better; ● you, your spouse or common-law partner has a CLB 5 or better in the Second Official Language; ● you, your spouse or common-law partner has a close relative that is currently residing in the province for more than a year; ● your child or children has been enrolled in an eligible Manitoba educational institution and has been actively pursuing academic, professional, or vocational training full-time for at least 6 months previous to the date of EOI submission; and/or ● you, your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a full-time study program at a Manitoba post-secondary school for at least one 1 year after reaching the age of 17 and with a valid study permit; OR ● you, your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have worked full-time in Manitoba for six months minimum. A letter of recommendation from the employer, as well as a copy of the work permit, are required. |
| Net Worth | Your personal net worth should be at least $500,000 and must be validated by an MPNP-approved third-party source. Within 120 days after receiving your LAA, you should submit a verification report along with your completed application to the MPNP. |
| Business Performance Agreement | Once your application is accepted, you need to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) before the MPNP can provide you with a letter of support to apply for a work permit. |
What are the steps to apply for permanent residency through the Entrepreneur Pathway?
1. Assess your eligibility for the pathway
In addition to meeting the above-mentioned eligibility requirements, potential applicants must complete a self-assessment form that evaluates eligibility based on human capital factors, investment factors and adaptability factors.
2. Explore the province of Manitoba
The Entrepreneur Pathway urges potential applicants to explore Manitoba and study business prospects in their selected industry. Potential candidates are actively invited to visit Manitoba and join business seminars sponsored by the Immigration and Economic Opportunities Division’s Business Consulting Unit (BCU).
In addition, potential candidates must fill out a Business Concept Form, which details business prospects and research activities.
3. Send your business concept and self-assessment forms to the MPNP
It takes two steps to apply through this stream. The initial forms must be submitted to mpnp-businessstream@gov.mb.ca first.
This includes the Self-assessment form, the Business Concept form, and if you are utilizing a representative, the Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives.
This submission is not an application to the MPNP, and potential candidates who submit these forms will be informed whether or not they are qualified to submit a complete application.
According to the province, a potential candidate’s company plan will not be assessed if they do not match the minimal stream eligibility standards listed above.
4. Submit out an application for the MPNP
After their Self-assessment and Business Concept forms have been examined, eligible applicants may obtain a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) during the interim period.
The LAA includes further details concerning essential papers as well as directions for filing a comprehensive application to the MPNP.
This involves a net worth verification performed by an authorized third-party source. Within 120 days after getting the LAA, all paperwork and fees must be submitted.
5. Application Assessment
An interview may be conducted as part of the examination and evaluation of each application. Successful candidates will get an email with an acceptance notice and will be required to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA).
The MPNP will then provide a letter of support for a work permit. It is important to note that if you acquire a letter of support, you will not have Canadian permanent resident status at this time; instead, you will be permitted to enter Canada and acquire a work permit.
6. Operate a Manitoba business
You can create or buy a business with this work permit, as described in your business plan. During this stage, the BCU provides information, comments, and direction with the assistance of Business Consulting Officers.
7. Accept a nomination from the MPNP and apply for permanent resident status
After you have fulfilled the terms and conditions indicated in the BPA you agreed to when your application was granted, the MPNP will offer you a certificate of nomination, which you may use to apply to the Canadian government for permanent resident status.
Here’s What You Can Read Next
Canadian Immigration Pathways: Which one is best for you?
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Immigrate to a Province or Territory
Immigrate to Canada through the Study-Work-PR Pathway