Manitoba Business Investor Stream: Farm Investor Pathway

The Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway

The Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway is specifically aimed at supporting potential candidates who wish to start a farm business in Manitoba. Potential candidates must demonstrate farm business experience, sufficient investment capital, and the intention to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba. The farm operation must be relevant to Manitoba’s current farming industry and produce primary products consistent with the province’s current output (for example – but not limited to – fruit crops, wheats, potatoes, and bees).

The MPNP clarifies that if you are interested in setting up a farm that does not produce primary products, you may qualify under the Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway.

The current application system is expected to change as further updates to the MPNP are rolled out. The system was supposed to be overhauled in 2018, but has since experienced years of delays.

As part of the “soft launch” of the stream, Manitoba immigration authorities have implemented an interim application process, as outlined below. This process allows potential candidates to express their interest in the pathways through the submission of required forms, but Manitoba has stated that after the upcoming changes to the MPNP are fully implemented, the process will be online.

Step 1: Explore Manitoba

In addition to meeting the minimum criteria for the Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway, outlined in the table below, potential applicants also need to complete an Interest Guidelines Form to demonstrate their education, farm business experience, adaptability to life and business in Manitoba, language proficiency, research on Manitoba business and any exploratory trips conducted, net worth, and economic priorities.

If you are interested in applying through this pathway, the MPNP specifically advises that you thoroughly research current Manitoba farming operations. All applications need to demonstrate relevance within Manitoba’s farm industry, and be comparable in factors such as scale, use of technology and technological practices, equipment, production output. All potential applicants need to show that their farming skills, technical knowledge, and experience will transfer directly to primary farm production in Manitoba. Eligibility requirements for the Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway

Step 2: Complete the Interest Guidelines and Farm Business Concept forms

After researching the proposed farm business and visiting the province, you can complete the Farm Business Concept Form. This outlines your current farming experience and your proposed operation in Manitoba.

Step 3: Submit your Interest Guidelines and Farm Business Concept forms to the MPNP

Applying is a two-step process. First, the initial forms need to be submitted by email. This includes the Interest Guidelines, Farm Business Concept form, and the Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives (if you are using a representative). This submission does not represent an application to the MPNP: potential candidates who submit these forms will be told if they are eligible to submit a full application or not. Manitoba immigration authorities state that if a potential candidate does not meet the minimum stream criteria requirements (outlined in the table in Step 1), their business concept will not be reviewed.

Step 4: Submit an application to the MPNP

During the interim process, potential candidates may receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) after their Self-assessment and Business Concept forms have been reviewed. The LAA contains further information about required documents and instructions for submitting a full application to the MPNP. This includes a net worth verification, which is conducted by an approved third-party supplier. All documents and fees need to be submitted within 120 days of receiving the LAA.

Step 5: Application assessment

The review and assessment of each application may include an interview. If your application meets the MPNP’s requirements, you will receive a certificate of nomination. Applicants who are approved for nomination are asked to sign a Deposit Agreement, and submit a deposit of CAD$75,000.

Note that at this point, if you receive a certificate of nomination you will not yet have Canadian permanent resident status – instead, you will be able to enter Canada and obtain a work permit.

Step 6: Apply for permanent resident status

Once you are nominated, you can apply to the Canadian government for permanent resident status.

Step 7: Establish a farm business in Manitoba

Once you are approved for Canadian permanent resident status, you can come to Canada and establish your farm business. The MPNP requires newcomers to submit new contact information within 30 days of landing as a permanent resident. The Business Consulting Unit (BCU) can offer information, feedback, and guidance as you set up your business, with the support of the Business Consulting Officers.

Live PNP Tracker

Business immigration to Manitoba may undergo further changes in the coming months as the MPNP reworks various streams and pathways. This could result in important changes to application procedure or eligibility requirements. Make sure to stay up to date with all the latest developments using the exclusive Moving2Canada PNP Live Tracker.