Investment in Manitoba
Immigration to Manitoba, Canada can be achieved through several methods, one of which is the investment route. The Manitoba Business Investor Stream (BIS) is designed to attract experienced business owners and entrepreneurs who plan to establish or set up a business in this province and contribute to its economic development, either through starting a business or establishing a farm.
The Manitoba Business Investor program has two immigration pathways:
Entrepreneur Pathway
Farm Investor Pathway
The investment methods in Manitoba mentioned above are based on a points system, where applicants are scored based on several factors such as age, level of education, work experience, language skills, investment factors, and adaptability. The total can reach a maximum of 120 points.
In the Manitoba investment program, you first obtain a work permit, and after launching your business and receiving provincial nomination, you can apply for permanent residency for yourself, your spouse, and your children.
If you are interested in investing and entrepreneurship in this province, we explain all the necessary information in this article.
Benefits of the investment method in Manitoba:
– Working in a stable, diverse, and dynamic economic environment
– Low business and living costs
– Access to educated and highly skilled workforce
– Utilizing clean energy with low tax rates
– Proximity to the North American market and annual trade of over 10 billion dollars between Manitoba and the U.S.
– Possibility of free education for children under 18
– Opportunities for permanent residency in Canada for spouse and children
Conditions for investment and entrepreneurship in Manitoba:
The entrepreneurial immigration to Manitoba has certain conditions, including:
– At least 3 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years as either the owner of an active business with at least 33.3% ownership, or as a senior manager of a successful business
– A minimum net worth of $500,000
– An investment of $200,000 for businesses located in central Manitoba or $150,000 for businesses outside the central area
– A language score of CLB 5 in English or Persian
– A minimum educational qualification of a high school diploma
Presentation of a business plan or business concept
Having physical health and a clean background check
Unacceptable professions for the entrepreneurial immigration program in Manitoba
Home businesses
Investment in real estate
All businesses related to renting or leasing, such as car rentals
Businesses related to cashing checks, payday loans, or currency exchange
Businesses that act as financial intermediaries or provide services related to the money market, including mortgage brokers.
Import and export businesses that can only operate through land routes like mountains or forests.
Property and asset management
Bed and breakfast services
Cash-based businesses like ATMs
Lottery kiosks
Businesses related to licensing taxi drivers
Businesses where multiple people invest in a joint project, where the development, completion, or ongoing operation depends on the investment or business operations of entrepreneurs in Manitoba’s provincial program.
Businesses that provide freelance professional services such as consulting, brokering, accounting, transportation, or commercial services.
Any type of business that could bring disrepute and damage the credibility of Manitoba’s entrepreneurial program or the province itself.
The scoring system of Manitoba's investment program
As mentioned earlier, Manitoba’s entrepreneurial program operates based on a scoring system, and your score is calculated based on factors such as age, education, business experience, language proficiency, amount of assets and investment, and adaptability.
In the following section, we will review the scores associated with each factor:
Age
Manitoba’s entrepreneurial program does not have an age limit, but points are only awarded for ages between 25 and 49.
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | 0 |
| 25 to 30 | 4 |
| 31 to 35 | 6 |
| 36 to 45 | 10 |
| 46 | 8 |
| 47 | 6 |
| 48 | 4 |
| 49 | 2 |
| 50 and above | 0 |
| Maximum points | 10 |
Education
| Education level | Points |
|---|---|
| Higher than diploma from colleges or universities (two-year) | 4 |
| Higher than diploma from colleges or universities (three years or more) | 6 |
| Master's degree or its equivalent | 8 |
| Doctorate | 10 |
| None of the above | 0 |
| Maximum points | 10 |
Business Experience
For the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program, having business experience is one of the key factors. You need to have a history of ownership or senior management of a business for this program. Applicants with management experience at a mid-level or lower, as well as self-employed business owners, will not receive any points.
| Business Ownership History | Points |
| 11 years or more | 30 |
| 7 to 10 years | 25 |
| 3 to 6 years | 20 |
| Senior Management Experience | Points |
| 7 years or more | 10 |
| 3 to 6 years | 5 |
| Maximum Points | 30 |
Language Skills
The Manitoba Investment Program only accepts IELTS, CELPIP, and TEF scores as equivalent to CLB.
| English or French Language Level | Points |
|---|---|
| CLB 5 score | 10 |
| CLB 6 score | 15 |
| CLB 7 score | 20 |
| CLB 8 or higher score | 25 |
| Maximum Points | 25 |
Investment Factors
In the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program, investment factors such as net worth and business investment amount are scored.
| Net Worth Amount | Points |
|---|---|
| $500000 to $1 million | 5 |
| $1 to $1.5 million | 6 |
| $1.5 to $2 million | 7 |
| $2 to $2.5 million | 8 |
| $2.5 to $3 million | 9 |
| Over $3 million | 10 |
| Maximum Points | 10 |
As previously mentioned, to invest in central Manitoba, you need to invest at least $250,000, and for investing in rural areas, at least $150,000. With lower amounts, you won’t qualify for this program.
| Business Investment Amount | Points |
|---|---|
| $200000 to $499999 | 10 |
| $500000 to $899999 | 12 |
| $900000 or more | 15 |
| None of the above | 0 |
| Maximum Points | 15 |
Exploratory Visit
A business trip for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program is not mandatory, but applicants who travel to the province to research their future business will receive a maximum of 20 points.
The exploratory visit must have been completed no more than one year before submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
| Business Travel | Points |
|---|---|
| If you visit Manitoba for at least 5 consecutive days and conduct research related to the business during this time | 10 |
| If you spend at least 10 consecutive days in Manitoba and carry out extensive research related to the desired business and lifestyle during this period | 20 |
| Maximum Points: | 20 |
Economic Priorities
In Manitoba’s investment program, a maximum of 5 points can be awarded for the economic priorities of the proposed business.
Economic priorities are assessed based on whether the business adds value to products or services using Manitoba’s resources such as materials, vegetation, machinery, labor, etc.
The 5 points are granted under two conditions:
The business must be an active, export-based business that adds value to services in Manitoba and conducts regular activities in the province.
The location of the proposed business must be outside of central Manitoba.
Adaptability Factors
Up to 25 points can be added to the applicant through adaptability factors such as having close relatives in Manitoba, the English or French language skills of the primary applicant’s spouse, and the education of the applicant’s spouse and children in Manitoba.
| Eligibility Factors | Score |
|---|---|
| The applicant's spouse has an English language score at CLB 5 or higher. | 10 |
| The applicant's spouse has a French language score at CLB 5 or higher. | 10 |
| The applicant has a close relative residing in Manitoba for over a year. Close relatives include parents & siblings & grandparents & aunts & uncles & nieces & nephews & and cousins including first cousins & second cousins and so on who must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada. | 5 |
| The applicant has a child who has been enrolled full-time and actively studying at a recognized educational institution in Manitoba for at least six months before submitting the expression of interest (EOI) for the Manitoba Investment Program. | 5 |
| The applicant's spouse has completed a full-time course of at least one year at a post-secondary educational institution in Manitoba. The applicant or their spouse must have undertaken this course with a Canadian study permit and be over 18 years old; and/or The applicant's spouse has worked full-time and continuously in Manitoba for at least six months. | 5 |
| Maximum Score | 25 |
What contributes to increasing points in Manitoba's entrepreneurial program?
Higher language scores (English or French)
Providing a second language (English or French)
Higher investment amount
Choosing the right city and region
The latest draw for Manitoba's entrepreneurial program
This program does not have a lottery, and the profile that meets the necessary conditions and provides the most economic benefit to the province will receive an invitation. So, if Alireza meets the minimum requirements of the program, he will receive an invitation to apply if his business concept is approved by the province.
Steps to take for the Manitoba investment program
As explained at the beginning of the article, one of the subcategories of the Manitoba Investment Program is the entrepreneurship pathway.
In the Manitoba entrepreneurship pathway, you first obtain a two-year temporary work visa, and then through various steps, you qualify for permanent residency in Canada. Obtaining the Manitoba entrepreneurship visa as well as permanent residency involves several steps, which we will mention later in the article:
Step One: Self-Assessment of Eligibility Requirements for the Manitoba Entrepreneurship Program
The first step in applying for the Manitoba entrepreneurship pathway is to fill out the self-assessment form and answer questions regarding your educational background, work experience, asset level, and so on.
In fact, based on the factors required for the Manitoba entrepreneurship program, you should assess your situation and definitely meet the initial conditions of the program that we previously mentioned. Without meeting the necessary minimums, you cannot submit your application for this program.
After completing the self-assessment form, you receive a score up to 150, which is the maximum score.
Step 2: Researching the Business Concept and Filling Out the Relevant Form
A business concept is basically a description of a business idea that is intended to be implemented as a new business or the development of an existing one. Therefore, you need to research your business plan from the get-go and assess all its aspects.
At this stage, you need to complete the Business Concept Form and include the following items:
– A description of the business conditions you’ve identified in Manitoba.
– A description of the research that helped you identify this business as a suitable opportunity.
– A description of how your past experience, training, and previous business dealings will assist you in developing this business opportunity.
– A description of how you plan to invest in the desired business and an overview of your financing plans and the availability of cash assets.
– A description of how you will market your product or service.
– A description of the risk factors associated with the proposed business and an explanation of the risk management strategies to overcome them.
– A detailed description of how your proposed business will contribute to the economic growth of Manitoba.
Step 3: Submitting an Expression of Interest for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program
At this stage, you need to submit your Expression of Interest along with your self-assessment form and business concept form to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) on the Manitoba government website.
If you do not meet the initial eligibility criteria for the Entrepreneur Program, your business concept will not be reviewed.
The MPNP responds to EOI submissions via email.
Step 4: Receiving an Invitation and Submitting a Complete Application for MPNP
If you meet the initial conditions of the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program and your business concept has been approved, MPNP will send you an official invitation letter (Official Letter of Advice to Apply – LAA). This invitation letter is your permission to apply for the provincial entrepreneur program.
Before submitting your main application for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program, you need to ask one of the two designated third-party service providers in the province, which are tasked with evaluating the net worth of entrepreneurs, to assess your assets and verify their amount and sources.
From the moment you receive your invitation, you have 120 days to submit your complete application electronically to MPNP. MPNP does not accept paper documents. At this stage, you need to send all required program documents along with the third-party confirmation report and your business plan to MPNP. Your business plan should provide more detailed information than what you wrote in the business concept form.
Step Five: Signing a Business Performance Agreement with the province of Manitoba and receiving a support letter for the entrepreneur visa.
During the application review process, you may be asked to participate in an in-person interview with MPNP. If you succeed in the interview, you will need to sign a Business Performance Agreement with the province and commit to completing a set of tasks related to your business.
Then MPNP will issue you a Letter of Support. This letter is necessary for submitting your application for the Manitoba entrepreneur visa and obtaining a temporary work permit. The work permit application must be submitted to the federal immigration authority of Canada (IRCC).
Step Six: Starting your business in Manitoba.
After receiving your work visa and entering Canada, you will need to set up your business and regularly submit your performance reports to MPNP. MPNP may monitor ongoing activities related to establishing your business to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement.
To successfully establish and start your business, you can make an appointment with the Business Consulting Unit (BCU) of the Manitoba Immigration and Economic Opportunities branch to get guidance and assistance.
Step Seven: Getting Provincial Nomination and Applying for Entrepreneurial Residency in Manitoba
If you fulfill all the commitments of the Performance Agreement, you will receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate from Manitoba. After that, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada and submit your application to the Federal Immigration Office of Canada (IRCC).
Required Documents for Obtaining a Manitoba Investment Visa
To get a temporary work visa through the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program, you’ll need the following documents:
– Letter of Support from the province
– Business plan
– Documents related to the exploratory trip to Manitoba, such as airplane tickets, entry and exit stamps, hotel accommodation receipts (if available)
– Identification documents for the applicant and their spouse and children, such as passport, birth certificate, national ID card, marriage certificate (if married)
– Educational documents for the applicant, spouse, and children
– Language proficiency score of the applicant
– Language proficiency score of the applicant’s spouse (if applicable)
– Documents showing ownership of a business in the home country, such as a business license, union membership permit, articles of incorporation, agreements, official gazette, change announcements, tax payment documents
– Employment documents for the applicant demonstrating senior management experience in the business, such as an organizational chart with the applicant’s name and other employees, a job letter from the employer detailing the applicant’s past and current employment, and employment contracts
– Employment documents for the applicant’s spouse (if applicable)
– Insurance history
– Financial documents proving financial capability, such as bank statements, property documents, related to the applicant and their spouse
– Resume of the applicant and their spouse
– Criminal background check certificate
– Completed forms related to the work visa
Investment plan for farming in Manitoba
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, another way to invest in Manitoba is through investment in the agricultural sector. This program is specifically for those with experience in ownership or management in farming and agriculture and who have sufficient financial resources to establish and operate a farm in Manitoba.
If you are an eligible applicant for this program, you need to set up your farm in rural Manitoba. You are allowed to produce products that align with Manitoba’s current agricultural industry, such as wheat, beans, and potatoes.
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Frequently asked questions
Does MPNP issue invitations for exploratory travel for applicants?
No, exploratory travel is not mandatory for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program, but if you wish to do it, applying for a visitor visa is the applicant’s responsibility, and MPNP Manitoba does not issue invitations for obtaining a visitor visa.
If my language certificate expires, can I submit an EOI with that expired certificate and later provide a new score?
No, when filling out the self-assessment form for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program, you must have a valid language certificate.
What is the response time for EOI applications in the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program?
From the date of submitting the application, MPNP is obligated to respond to EOI applications within 4 weeks.
What’s the timeline for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program?
The average processing time for Manitoba Entrepreneur Program applications is about 12 to 15 months.
What is the application fee for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program?
MPNP charges a fee of CAD 2,500 for processing the application, and this fee is non-refundable.
If I get rejected from immigration programs in other provinces, can I still apply for the Manitoba investment program?
Yes, even with rejections from other provinces, you can still apply for the Manitoba investment program, but you need to provide MPNP with all documentation and information related to your rejection.
Is it absolutely necessary to create a job for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program?
Yes, you are required to create at least one full-time job for citizens or permanent residents of Canada. The applicant’s spouse and children do not count in this requirement.
What is the minimum initial investment for the Manitoba Entrepreneur Program?
The minimum required investment is $150,000 for businesses outside the central region of Manitoba.
What are the main industries for investment in Manitoba?
Agriculture, tourism, electricity, oil, mining, and forestry.
Which cities are important for investment in Manitoba?
Winnipeg, as the capital of Manitoba, is a great place to establish and start a business.