Manitoba Makes First Draw Under Expression Of Interest System For Canadian Immigration

As reported last month on CICnews.com, the Canadian province of Manitoba has launched an “Expression of Interest” model for a portion of its Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Following soon after its launch, the government of Manitoba has moved quickly to select high-ranking candidates and issue them Letters of Advice to Apply for Canadian immigration through the MPNP.

Some candidates who were swift to react and enter the Manitoba Expression of Interest pool benefited from being proactive by receiving Letters of Advice to Apply. These candidates are now in a position to make an application to move to one of Canada’s most beautiful and economically stable provinces, along with their families.

The draw, which occurred on May 20, issued 76 Letters of Advice to Apply to candidates under the Skilled Workers in Manitoba category, with the lowest ranked candidates selected having 700 points under the MPNP ranking system. A further 75 Letters of Advice to Apply were issued to candidates under the Skilled Worker Overseas Category, with the lowest ranked candidates having 607 ranking points.

A unique aspect of this draw was that, for reasons which could include a large existing inventory of un-assessed applications, low labour market demand and/or significant barriers to labour market participation, Expressions of Interest from Skilled Workers Overseas in the following occupations were not considered in this draw:

Registered Nurses
Secondary and Elementary School Teachers
Vocational and College Instructors
University Professors
General and Specialist Physicians

Similar to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Manitoba Skilled Worker overseas program uses a points-based system to assess candidates, who may be outside Canada. Points are awarded for factors such as age, language proficiency, work experience, education and adaptability. Manitoba uses a unique point allocation system with a pass mark of 60, in contrast to the FSWP, which assigns points differently and has a pass mark of 67. Click here for full tables on eligibility factors and the Manitoba Ranking System.

Under the Skilled Workers in Manitoba category, applications are accepted from qualified temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently working in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent job with their Manitoba employer. Unlike the other connections to Manitoba in the MPNP, Skilled Workers in Manitoba are not subject to a points-based assessment to determine their eligibility. Full eligibility requirements for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba category can be found here.

Three of the potential advantages of making an Expression of Interest in the MPNP under the Skilled Worker Overseas category include the fact that:

The pass mark for eligibility is 60 out of 100, as opposed to 67 out of 100 for the FSWP.
Competition within the MPNP pool is likely to be lower than in the federal Express Entry pool, both today and as time moves on, as far fewer people have made an Expression of Interest to the MPNP compared with the federal system.
Successful candidates can have peace of mind in knowing that the province they are moving to actively wants them to settle in that province.

“Canada’s immigration landscape is changing, with certain provinces attracting the immigrants they want in a more active, dynamic way. But that works both ways — successful candidates for Canadian immigration are those who learn about provincial programs and systems, such as the unique Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression Interest model,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“With the advent of Express Entry in 2015, many individuals who are either ineligible to enter the Express Entry pool or are losing heart that they have not yet been issued an invitation to apply under the federal system would do well to look at the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. Those who have already done so are benefiting from being proactive.”

To find out if you are eligible for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, or any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment today.