Search
Close this search box.

Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway (MBIE)

Selection
  • P.N.P: Provincial Nominee Programs
  • E.O.I: Expression of Interest
  • P.S: Point System
Applicant
Visa
Status

Table of Contents

GSB

MB-SB

SUMMARY

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

The Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway is for experienced business investors and entrepreneurs who want to live in Manitoba. They must start a new business or buy an existing business or become partners in an existing business in Manitoba and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business.
Approved applicants must operate a business in Manitoba on a Work Permit (WP) for at least six (6) months before being nominated for permanent resident status in Canada.
Eligible applicants can apply to the program by sending an Expression of Interest (EOI) by email.

Entrepreneur Pathway is one of the two (2) Manitoba Business Investor Stream pathways, which also includes Farm Investor pathway (➨Page).

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

MB-SA

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements must be met if you are applying to the Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway:

1- Net Worth

You must have net worth (personal and business assets) of at least $500,000 CAD which has been accumulated through legal and legitimate sources.

2- Business Experience

In the last five (5) years you must have at least three (3) years’ relevant experience either as an active business owner (minimum 33.33% or one-third ownership) or working in a senior management role of a successful business.

3- Language Ability

You must have an approved test results taken within two (2) years prior to EOI being submitted. You must have obtained a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark CLB 5 in all for abilities in English or French (➨Appendix 5).

You must demonstrate education equivalent to at least a Canadian high school diploma to qualify.

5- Business Research Visit

You must conduct a Business Research Visit to Manitoba to investigate business and lifestyle opportunities in Manitoba. The Business Research Visit is mandatory, for a minimum of five (5) business days and must be done within one (1) year prior to submission of Expression of Interest.

6- Ineligibility

You are not eligible to apply under the Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway if:
  • You intend is to establish a primary production farming operation.
  • You are an international student who graduated in another province of Canada.
  • You have current application in process through another immigration program.
  • You have been refused by the MPNP within the last six (6) months.
  • You are a temporary foreign workers currently working and residing in a province other than Manitoba.
  • You are registered in the federal Live-in Caregiver Program.
  • You are a refugee claimant in Canada, a failed refugee claimant, had a removal order, are prohibited from entering or being in Canada, do not have status in Canada or are living illegally in your country of residence.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

MB-MRA

MANITOBA BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify as an eligible business under the Entrepreneur pathway, you must have an intention to buy or establish a business in Manitoba that meets the following criteria:

1- Business Investment

You must propose a minimum investment of at least $250,000 CAD in the Manitoba Capital Region (Winnipeg) or $150,000 CAD in rural Manitoba to be eligible. If your application is approved, you will be required to invest at least the amount claimed in your Business Plan.
If the Investment is made in a business that is newly established by you, the total amount of the Investment shall be expended on Tangible Assets and start-up costs such as legal services, permits and licenses.
If the Investment is made in an existing business or franchise, the value of goodwill will not be considered eligible as an Investment unless you provide valuation of the goodwill by a Canadian chartered accountant or business valuator. If eligible, the value of the Investment in goodwill will be limited to a maximum of thirty percent (30%) of the total eligible investment.
Working capital will not be considered eligible as an investment, with the exception of the purchase of start-up inventory limited to maximum of six (6) months worth of inventory which is essential to the business (or three (3) months if franchise or existing business).
The purchase of a motor vehicle will not be considered eligible as an Investment unless the purchase of the vehicle is essential to the Business (to a maximum of $30,000).
Cash or cash equivalents as well as personal property or vehicles will not be considered eligible as an investment. However a maximum of three (3) months' of operating expense will be considered eligible as investment.

2- Business Ownership

You must own at least one third (33.33%) of the equity of a business in Manitoba. If you will own less than 33.33% you must invest at least $1 million CAD.
If purchasing an existing business, the Manitoba based business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner in Manitoba for the previous five (5) years. It must also be actively in operation.

3- Type of Business

The business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services.
The following types of businesses are not eligible under Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway:
  • Businesses operated primarily for the purpose of deriving passive income such as rent, interest, dividends or capital gains
  • Immigration-linked investment schemes
  • Businesses established or purchased by the current owner within the previous five (5) years from the date of signing of your Purchase Agreement
  • Businesses that are considered ineligible by the Program
  • Businesses which include share redemption or buy back option.
  • Home-based businesses
  • Real estate investments
  • All rental or leasing businesses including vehicle rental or leasing businesses
  • Self-employed truck drivers/owner operators who do not own and/or manage their own dispatching, loading and storage facility
  • Pay-day lending, cheque cashing or money changing businesses
  • Businesses providing financial intermediation or money market products or services, including mortgage brokerages
  • Pass-through import-export businesses
  • Property management
  • Bed and Breakfast
  • Cash machine businesses
  • Lottery kiosks
  • Taxi cab or limousine licenses
  • A business located in a multi-business retail condo/location/project or business incubator that is not completed/operational, and/or is targeted or dependent on investment or business operations by MPNP entrepreneurs for the development, completion or ongoing operation of the project
  • Farm businesses, including a hobby farm
  • Business offering self-employed professional services such as representation, consulting, brokerage, accounting, moving, trade services etc.
  • Any type of business that by association would tend to bring the Program or Manitoba into disrepute

4- Job Creation

If you are creating a new business, you must create at least one (1) full-time equivalent job for a Canadian permanent resident or citizen in Manitoba who is not your dependant, for at least six (6) months.
If you are purchasing an existing business, you must maintain the same number of fulltime equivalent jobs in the Province of Manitoba already existing in the Business at the time of its purchase, to be staffed for at least six (6) months.

5- Active Management

You must provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business at the business site.

CALCULATE YOUR SCORE

If you meet the above minimum requirement, then you must calculate your total score based on the following selection factors. There is no minimum required score. Usually within four (4) weeks MPNP will review your Business concept and your point assessment and determines if you can continue to the next step and get a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA).

The Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway selection factors may be summarized as follows (➨immilib.com/MBIE-Grid):

Selection Factor Maximum Points
Factor1: Age 10
Factor 2: Education 10
Factor 3: Ownership and Management Experience 30
Factor 4: Language Ability 25
Factor 5: Net Worth 10
Factor 6: Investment Amount 15
Factor 7: Economic Priorities 5
Factor 8: Exploratory Visit 20
Factor 9: Adaptability 25

Factor 1: Age

You’ll get points based on your age on the day you submit your EOI.
Age Points
Under 25 0
25-30 4
31-35 6
36-45 10
46 8
47 6
48 4
49 2
50 and over 0

Factor 2: Education

You will be awarded points for your educational credential.
Level of Education Points
University degree at a Doctoral (PhD) level 10
Master’s degree or equivalent 8
Post-secondary degree or diploma – three year program or longer 6
Post-secondary degree or diploma – two year program 4
High School Diploma 0
No High School Diploma Not Eligible

Factor 3: Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience

You may claim points based on your business experience. The number of points is based on your past business ownership experience OR senior management experience.
Experience Points
11 years or more of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) 30
7 to 10 years of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) 25
3 to 6 years of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) 20
7 years or more of experience in a senior management role 10
3 to 6 years of experience in a senior management role 5
No or Less than above management or business ownership experience Not Eligible

Factor 4: Language Ability

To be awarded point for language, you must have taken an approved test results (➨Appendix 5). Test must be taken no more than two (2) years prior to submission of Expression of Interest (EOI).

The lowest score achieved in the four (4) skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening) is your score.

First Official Language

(Lowest score in any of 4 skills)

Points
CLB 8 and more 25
CLB 7 20
CLB 6 15
CLB 5 10
CLB 4 or less Not Eligible

Factor 5: Net Worth

You’ll get points for your (and your spouse’s and dependent children’s) unencumbered net business and personal assets.
Net Worth Points
Greater than $3 Million CAD 10
$2.5 Million CAD – $2,999,999 CAD 9
$2 Million CAD – $2,499,999 CAD 8
$1.5 Million CAD – $1,999,999 CAD 7
$1 Million CAD – $1,499,999 CAD 6
$500,000 CAD – $999,999 CAD 5
Less than $500,000 CAD Not Eligible

Factor 6: Investment Amount

Points are awarded for the amount of equity investment to establish or purchase a business in Manitoba. The investment may include but not limited to the start-up costs, inventory, equity expenditures and a portion of operating expenses.
Please note that you must propose a minimum investment of at least CAD $250,000 in the Manitoba Capital Region or $150,000 in rural Manitoba to be eligible.
Investment Points
$900,000 CAD or more 15
$500,000 CAD– $899,999 CAD 12
$200,000 CAD – $499,999 CAD 10
Less than $200,000 CAD 0

Factor 7: Economic Priorities

You may be awarded up to a maximum of 5 points if your Manitoba business:
  • Is an export oriented, value added active business with recurring activities in Manitoba; OR
  • Is located and operated from a location outside Manitoba Capital Region
Innovation Points
Any of the above 5
None of the above 0

Factor 8: Exploratory Visit

You may claim up to a maximum of 20 points based on your exploratory visit to Manitoba for at least five (5) business days within the last year from the date that you register your EOI.
Exploratory Visit Points
Business research visit to Manitoba for at least 5 consecutive days 20
Business and lifestyle research visit to Manitoba for at least 10 consecutive days 10
None of the above 0

Factor 9: Adaptability

You can get maximum of 25 points for any combination of the following factors:
AdaptabilityPoints (Max. 25)

Your spouse/common-law partner Language level at least CLB 5 in all abilities in English of French

10

You or your spouse/common-law partner Language level at least CLB 5 in all abilities in Canada’s second official language

10

You or your spouse/common-law partner’s relatives in Canada (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew) who are 19 years or older, living in Canada for at least 1 continuous year as permanent resident or citizen.

5

Your child is enrolled and studying in an accredited Manitoba educational institution at least 6 months prior to the date of submission of EOI

5

You or Spouse/common-law partner 1 year full-time post-secondary study in Manitoba; OR at least 6 months of full-time work in Manitoba

5

GCYSA

MB-CYSA

WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Step 1: Exploratory Visit

You must conduct a Business Research Visit to Manitoba to investigate business and lifestyle opportunities in Manitoba. The Business Research Visit is mandatory, for a minimum of five (5) business days and must be done within one (1) year prior to submission of Expression of Interest.

Also it will give you additional points and strengthen your chances to be invited to apply.

During your visit you are encouraged to participate in one of the business seminars offered by the MPNP. Seminar Information can be found at (➨immilib.com/MBIE-Seminars).

You must prepare a detailed report of your whole exploratory visit. Your report on the visit must cover the entire length of your stay in Canada, including time spent in other provinces, if any. The information required must be submitted as part of your Business Plan, including any relevant documents.
Details must include:
  • Length of your stay.
  • The name of the professional business service providers or settlement organizations visited during your trip, including mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and emails.
  • A description of the activity and/or meeting and how it relates to your business establishment or settlement.
  • Copies of all airline tickets, boarding passes and hotel receipts during your entire stay in Canada.
  • Copies of business cards collected from relevant contact and business service providers contacted during your visit.
  • Details of visit to existing business location and meetings with current owners if you are planning to purchase an existing business. You should include the business name, location and the current owner’s names and contact details.

To find out how you can travel to Canada for a temporary visit (➨Page).

Step 2: Submit your MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI)

Once you have done sufficient business research and identified the business opportunity of your interest, you are ready to fill a Business Concept Form. The Business Concept can be considered a condensed executive summary of the business plan of your proposed business.

To submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) you must email your Business Concept and Self-Assessment Forms to [email protected].

If you appear to meet the minimum eligibility requirements and likely to have a strong positive economic impact on Manitoba, you will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) via email. The LAA will include instructions on the application process.

Recent Invitations – MPNP

Business Investor Stream

Month No. of LAA
Aug 2024 3
Jul 2024 1
Jun 2024 0
May 2024 2
Apr 2024 5
Mar 2024 2
Feb 2024 1
Jan 2024 3
Dec 2023 2723
Nov 2023 0
You will have up to 120 days from the LAA issuance date to submit your complete application.

Step 3: Prepare Documents

In addition to the applications forms and supporting documents, before submission of complete application, you need to prepare a Business Plan as well as a Net Worth Verification Report.
Business Plan
You will need to submit a Business Plan as part of your application. You must submit a business plan that demonstrates that the business will be viable and likely to provide material economic benefit to the economy of Manitoba as a whole or to the local economy where the business will be located.
Your business plan will be reviewed to ensure that it meets program requirements and the commitments made in your EOI. Thus, this document should be drafted as an essential component of your application.
Net Worth Verification Report
As part of your application, you will be required to provide a Net Worth Verification Report. This report must be prepared by one of designated Net Worth Verifiers. These third party verifiers are experts in assessing net worth and legal accumulation of net worth.
List of Manitoba Designated Net Worth Verifiers

Grant Thornton LLP

94 Commerce Drive

Winnipeg, MB R3P 0Z3

(204) 272-4738

BCPNPGrant

[email protected]

www.grantthornton.ca

MNP LLP

242 Hargrave Street, Suite 1200

Winnipeg, MB R3C 0T8

(204) 336-6106

[email protected]

www.mnp.ca

Step 4: Submit Application to MPNP

If you receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA), you must submit your completed application package within 120 days from the LAA issuance date. Your completed application package must include copies of all required documents along with a nonrefundable Application Fee.
An MPNP officer will contact you by email if information is needed to assess your application and will tell you how to send the information.
The assessment process may include an in-person or over the phone interview with the MPNP.
If your application meets all of the requirements of the MPNP, you will receive a notice with an approval in principle.
MPNP Application
Mail the application to:

Business Investor Stream Manitoba

Education and Training 7th Floor, 213

Notre Dame Portage Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 1N3

Official Program Guide:
immilib.com/MBIE-Guide
MPNP Application Fee:
$2,500
Processing Time:
immilib.com/MB-PT
Document Checklist:

immilib.com/MBIE-Doc

(page 3)

Contact:
204-945-2806
[email protected]

Step 5: Business Performance Agreement (BPA)

Upon approval in principle, you will receive a Business Performance Agreement for your review and signature. You must sign and return the BPA to the MPNP within 60 days of the issuance date.
Your Business Performance Agreement is your legal agreement with MPNP. It will state the amount you will invest in your business and the business sector where you will operate your business. The Business Performance Agreement will also list any other information relevant to your application including but not limited to: job creation, business succession, and business location. This is based upon the information you supplied in your Business Plan.

Step 6: Apply for Work permit

Upon receipt of your signed and dated Business Performance Agreement, MPNP will issue you with an Entrepreneur Approval Letter along with an Entrepreneur Work Permit Support Letter. A work permit allows you to settle in Manitoba and operate your business.

You must then provide the letter of support, your business plan and your signed Business Performance Agreement to the Government of Canada with an application for a temporary work permit (➨Page).

Ideally you must apply for your work permit within three (3) months of the date on the Entrepreneur Approval Letter in order to facilitate your arrival in Manitoba within twelve (12) months after approval. At the latest your application for work permit must be submitted within six (6) months.

Step 7: Business Establishment in Manitoba

After receiving your Approval Letter you will be expected to start operating your business in Manitoba according to your BPA.
To be eligible for nomination you must satisfy the terms of your signed BPA within twenty (20) months of the date of your arrival and demonstrate operation of your business for no less than six (6) months.

Step 8: Nomination by MPNP

You must demonstrate that you have actively managed your business for a minimum of six (6) months in Manitoba and also satisfy the officer that you have been, and remain, a resident in Manitoba. If approved for nomination the MPNP will send a nomination certificate so you can apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
If you are approved and nominated, you should apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence. The nomination certificate will be valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance and is considered valid if you submit a complete application for PR before the expiry date on the nomination certificate.

Step 9: Apply for Permanent Residence

If you are nominated by the Province of Manitoba, then your next step is to submit a complete application for a permanent resident visa within six (6) months (➨Page).

You must submit your application using the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal (PR Portal) (➨ immilib.com/PR-Portal). 

If your application is complete, you will receive a letter or an email confirming that your file has been received and accepted for processing. This letter is called the Acknowledge of Receipt (AOR) and will include your IRCC file number.

Once you have received your acknowledgement of receipt, you can create an online account and link your application to it. By creating an account, you will be able to receive email updates and a more detailed case status.

Step 10: Landing in Canada

If your application is approved, you will be asked to pay your right of permanent residence fee if you haven't already done so. You will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and if you are from a country that requires a visa you will also be issued a permanent resident visa.

You will only become a Permanent Resident of Canada when you cross a Canadian port of entry. This is referred to as ‘landing in Canada' (➨Page).

You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which appears on your Canada Immigration Visa. Usually, the expiry date is one (1) year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon as the Canada Immigration Visa is received.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

MB-WSYTA

WELCOME TO MANITOBA!

GWA
MB-WA

Share:

MB-TOCB

Table of Contents

MB-TOCA
Scroll to Top

Kelly Crowl Masterclass

Don’t Miss Out!

Save your spot now and get the early bird discount Early Bird $80 | Drop-in $140