The Manitoba Express Entry pathway is an immigration option for individuals and families around the world who wish to make Manitoba, Canada their new permanent home. It is part of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Manitoba Express Entry was launched in January, 2018. It became the first ever MPNP category dedicated to attracting candidates from the federal Express Entry pool. Under Canada’s economic immigration policy, provinces may use a portion of their total PNP allocation to nominate Express Entry candidates for immigration to Canada. Nominated candidates receive 600 bonus points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), effectively guaranteeing them an invitation to apply (ITA) at a subsequent draw from the pool.
Manitoba Express Entry draw history
While Manitoba conducted several draws through its Express Entry pathway in 2018, the province hasn’t conducted draws recently. Instead, MPNP often includes Express Entry candidates in draws through other pathways.
| Date | Number of invitations | Minimum points required |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2018 | 132 | 519 (candidates with experience in listed NOC B occupation only) |
| July 6, 2018 | 202 | 519 |
| Jun 21, 2018 | 114 | 562 |
| May 11, 2018 | 151 | 562 |
| Mar 13, 2018 | 253 | 545 |
| Jan 31, 2018 | 148 | 560 |
| Jan 11, 2018 | 155 | 565 |
Step 1: Enter the federal Express Entry pool
Since first being launched in 2015, Canada’s Express Entry system has become the main source of economic immigrants to the country. In order to enter the pool, however, potential applicants must be eligible under one of the federal economic programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC): For workers evaluated under a unique FSWC points system. Eligible individuals must obtain at least 67 points out of 100.
- Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): For tradespersons with relevant experience.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with ongoing or recent work experience in Canada.
Eligible candidates are assigned a CRS score out of 1,200 and ranked among each other. Candidates can increase their score, and thereby their rank, through various means — including by being nominated by a province.
Step 2: Be eligible under the MPNP
The Manitoba Express Entry pathway is a sub-stream of the MPNP Skilled Worker Overseas stream. As such, candidates must be eligible as an overseas skilled worker, which means satisfying another set of eligibility criteria.
Manitoba Express Entry eligibility overview
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry | Demonstrate acceptance into the Express Entry pool by providing a valid Express Entry ID and Job Seeker Validation Code. |
| Work Experience | Minimum of six months of work experience in an occupation on the In-Demand Occupations list (see below). |
| Language ability | The minimum official language proficiency depends on your assessed occupation skill level: Minimum CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A Minimum CLB 6 for NOC B |
| Education | Completed one post-secondary program of at least one year (Canadian equivalent). If the position requires licensure or certification, you must apply to the regulatory body to have your qualifications and skills assessed and/or pass an examination. |
| Age | 18 or older |
| Adaptability | Demonstrate the ability and intent to become economically established and reside in Manitoba; AND Have the confirmed support of a close friend or relative who has resided in Manitoba for at least one year; OR Hold a valid Invitation to Apply issued by the MPNP. |
| Settlement funds | Demonstrate liquid funds equivalent to the amounts required under the FSWC. |
Once eligibility has been assessed according to the table above, individuals must score at least 60 points (out of 100) to be considered eligible. The Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas points grid assesses candidates across five factors: language ability, age, work experience, education, and adaptability.
Eligibility factor 1: Language ability
Points for language ability are based on individual Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Points awarded based on official test results provided. Official tests include IELTS or CELPIP for English, and TEF for French.
| First language | |
|---|---|
| Proficiency | Points awarded |
| CLB 8 or higher | 20 |
| CLB 7 | 18 |
| CLB 6 | 16 |
| CLB 5 | 14 |
| CLB 4 | 12 |
| CLB 3 or lower | 0 |
| Second language | |
| Proficiency | Points awarded |
| CLB 5 or higher | 5 |
Eligibility factor 2: Age
| Age | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| 18 | 4 |
| 19 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 |
| 21-45 | 10 |
| 46 | 8 |
| 47 | 6 |
| 48 | 4 |
| 49 | 2 |
| 50 or older | 0 |
Eligibility factor 3: Work experience
Points for work experience are based on documented proof of full-time employment in the past five years. Only full-time jobs of six months (continuous) or longer are considered.
| Years of work experience | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| Less than one year | 0 |
| One year | 8 |
| Two years | 10 |
| Three years | 12 |
| Four years or more | 15 |
Eligibility factor 4: Education
| Highest level of education | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree or Doctorate | 25 |
| Two post-secondary programs of at least two years each | 23 |
| One post-secondary program of two years or longer | 20 |
| One one-year post-secondary program | 14 |
| Trade certificate | 14 |
| No formal post-secondary education | 0 |
Eligibility factor 5: Adaptability
A connection to Manitoba is required of all Manitoba Express Entry candidates. Adaptability points are calculated according to documented proof of a strong connection to Manitoba and employability in your assessed occupation, demonstrating that you have the genuine intention and ability to successfully settle and economically establish in Manitoba. You can only receive points for one type of connection, even if multiple apply to you. In addition to Adaptability points, you may also score points for Regional Immigration for having a connection to, and planning to settle in, a region of Manitoba outside the city of Winnipeg.
| Connection to Manitoba | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| Close relative in Manitoba | 20 |
| Invitation to Apply received from the MPNP as part of a recruitment mission or exploratory visit | 20 |
| Previous work experience in Manitoba (at least six months) | 12 |
| Completed post-secondary program of two years or more in Manitoba | 12 |
| Completed post-secondary program of at least one academic year in Manitoba | 10 |
| Friend or distant relative living in Manitoba | 10 |
| Regional Immigration (intention to reside outside Winnipeg) | 5 |