The Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO) Pathway is one of the few provincial nomination programs that does not require a job offer.
You do, however, need to demonstrate an established connection to Manitoba. This can be through friends or family in Manitoba, previous education or work experience in Manitoba, or an Invitation to Apply from MPNP as part of their Strategic Recruitment Initiative.
Families in Manitoba need to be close relatives of the applicant or their partner. Siblings, nieces, or nephews (children of your brother or sister), aunts or uncles (brothers or sisters of your mother or father), and first cousins (children of your aunt or uncle), mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather are considered close relatives. The SWO is likely the only program where parents or grandparents can assist their children or grandchildren in obtaining permanent residency.
Documentation has to be provided to prove the relationship, and close relatives can only support the application of one skilled worker at a time.
Distant relatives, such as second cousins, and friends can also support skilled workers.
It is important to note that MPNP is not a sponsorship program. All applicants must be employable and adaptable skilled workers with sufficient English, settlement funds, and the genuine intention to establish themselves in Manitoba. This means that children cannot support their parents or grandparents through this pathway. Instead, they can sponsor their parents through the Parent, Grandparent Sponsorship program when it’s open for applications.
Previous work experience in Manitoba must have been full-time and for a minimum of six consecutive months. International students must have attended and completed their studies while on a study permit. Language studies do not qualify.
If you don’t have family support or previous work or study history in Manitoba, you will need to focus on receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from MPNP. These are issued at the discretion of the MPNP and applicants cannot self-select for eligibility. To receive a potential ITA, you need to attend one of MPNP’s foreign recruitment missions, or you can request approval for an exploratory visit from MPNP, where you will be interviewed during your visit. MPNP does select some candidates who have an active Express Entry profile as well.
Currently, the eligibility criteria to participate in recruitment missions and exploratory visits are:
- Aged 21 to 45
- Satisfy the officer that you do not have stronger ties to other provinces
- Demonstrate your employability and adaptability
- Have completed a one-year post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree
- Have worked at least two years full-time in the past five years and can demonstrate your ability to find a job in Manitoba in that occupation
- Provide a settlement plan proving your intention and ability to settle in the province
- Have a CLB 5 or higher in all four language abilities, except TEER 4 or 5 occupations, which need to demonstrate a minimum of CLB 4. The test results must be valid at the time of application
MPNP assesses employability based on past education, training, work experience, and licence or regulatory requirements necessary for your occupation in the province. The current demand and potential for long-term employment for the occupation in the province are taken into account too.
SWO applicants are subject to a points assessment once they can apply to MPNP. A minimum score of 60 is required.
Language proficiency, age, education, work experience, education, and adaptability are all factors in the scoring process.
To apply for this pathway, you need to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile. Completing an EOI does not guarantee an LAA or a successful application for provincial nomination. Once you have created an EOI, you are entered into a pool of candidates and then ranked on a new scoring system. The highest-scoring candidates in the pool are invited to submit a full application to MPNP regularly. The number of LAAs issued is dependent on annual processing targets and capacities.
A close relative in Manitoba earns you 200 points, while a distant relative or friend can contribute 50 points towards your profile. Work experience can earn you up to 175 points if your occupation is recognized by a provincial licensing body and you have more than 4 years of work experience. Receiving an ITA under a Strategic Initiative earns you an additional 500 points. The maximum number of overall points is 1,000.
MPNP considers work experience and studies in other provinces as risk factors. If you do have work experience or studies in other provinces, you are penalized 100 points for each risk factor, with a maximum of a 200-point penalty. These points are deducted from your calculated points, which reduces your chances of receiving a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). Points are not deducted for close family members living in other parts of Canada, although the family members must still be declared truthfully to avoid misrepresentation.
You can submit a full application to MPNP once you receive an LAA. Applications are then assessed & successful applications receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate.
You have to apply for permanent residency within 180 days of receiving your nomination, as the nomination expires after this period.
