The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has increased the length of time that skilled workers with connections to other Canadian provinces must work in Manitoba before they are eligible for the MPNP.

Effective September 1, 2013, foreign nationals who have previously studied in another province or territory of Canada will not be eligible to apply to the MPNP unless they can provide evidence of:

• at least one year of ongoing work experience with a Manitoba employer;
• a valid work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada; and
• an offer of a permanent full-time job from a Manitoba employer.

Previously, the requirement was six months of work experience in Manitoba.

This change does NOT affect temporary foreign workers in Manitoba or international student graduates of Manitoba post-secondary schools. They remain eligible for the MPNP when offered a job after six months of work.

Note: These criteria refer only to an applicant's eligibility to apply and do not guarantee nomination by the MPNP. The MPNP reserves the right to assess each eligible application on a case-by-case basis.