Category Archives: Announcements

News and general announcements

MPNP notice regarding Expression of Interest draws using NOC 2021

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In accordance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) will begin using the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for all applications received on or after November 16, 2022.

The MPNP is currently only accepting Expression of Interest profiles using NOC 2021 (5 digits). Profiles can be submitted at any time.

The MPNP will conduct an Expression of Interest draw for profiles using NOC 2021 on November 17, 2022. To be considered in any draw occurring on November 17, 2022, you must have submitted an Expression of Interest profile by November 16, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

The MPNP will continue to accept new Expression of Interest profiles after November 16, 2022 and conduct regular draws based on the MPNP's need for applications to meet program objectives.

The MPNP plans to conduct an Expression of Interest draw for Skilled Worker Overseas candidates before December 31, 2022. This draw will consider all Expression of Interest profiles with a connection to Manitoba through a Manitoba Supporter or previous Manitoba experience. For more information, please see the Skilled Worker Overseas eligibility criteria here.

Please note that if your MPNP application was submitted before November 16, 2022, the MPNP nomination and subsequent permanent residence application will be assessed using NOC 2016. Your application and nomination cannot be switched to NOC 2021.

Destination Canada Mobility Forum 2022

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The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, along with the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM), Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW), Acceuil Francophone, and the Manitoba Francophone Immigration Network (RIF-MB) will be participating in the upcoming Government of Canada's Destination Canada Mobility Forum, a recruitment fair for bilingual skilled workers in Paris, France and Rabat, Morocco from November 16 to 23, 2022, and in the virtual version from November 28 to 30.

Every year, the Canadian government organizes this event to connect Canadian employers in predominantly anglophone provinces with skilled bilingual candidates from a variety of industries.

To learn more about the Destination Canada Mobility Forum, please click here. To view the Government of Manitoba news release on this announcement, please click here.

Pinawa Community Partnership Initiative resumes

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The Pinawa Community Partnership Initiative between the Local Government District of Pinawa and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program has resumed.

This initiative is intended to expedite the application process for potential international entrepreneurs who would like to invest in a business in the Pinawa region. For more detailed information, please visit pinawa.com/p/pinawa-international-entrepreneurship-program.

IRCC temporarily lifts limit on off-campus work hours for international students

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On October 7, 2022, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the temporary lifting of the 20-hour-per-week cap on the number of hours that eligible post-secondary students are allowed to work off-campus while class is in session.

From November 15, 2022 until December 31, 2023, international students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization on their study permit will not be restricted by the 20-hour-per-week rule. Foreign nationals who have already submitted a study permit application, as of today, will also be able to benefit from this temporary change, provided their application is approved.

More information about this update and current study permit conditions is available via Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)'s official news release.

Please note that Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) criteria pertaining to qualifying Manitoba employment has not changed. Persons interested in applying to the MPNP's Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway must possess a work permit from IRCC. Qualifying Manitoba employment includes work completed while in possession of a valid post-graduation work permit or other work permit. The MPNP does not consider periods of employment during which you were engaged in full-time study or did not hold a work permit when calculating the period of qualifying work experience in Manitoba.

For more information about eligibility to apply as a Skilled Worker in Manitoba and what is considered qualifying Manitoba employment, please see the Eligibility - Skilled Worker in Manitoba page.

Eligibility criteria to apply under the International Education Stream (IES) is not impacted by these changes in IRCC's study permit conditions. Information about eligibility to apply to the IES is available on the eligibility pages of each of IES pathway.

Registration for Destination Canada Mobility Forum 2022 orientation sessions open

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If you are a Manitoba employer who is interested in recruiting overseas, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) can represent your business and job opportunities at the upcoming Destination Canada Mobility Forum. This year, the MPNP is partnering with Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW), and we encourage you to sign up for an upcoming orientation session to learn how we can help you find solutions to your labour needs, free of charge.

The MPNP, in partnership with EDW and other community partners, will be participating in the upcoming Government of Canada's Destination Canada Mobility Forum, a recruitment fair for bilingual skilled workers in Paris, France and Rabat, Morocco from November 16 to 23, 2022.

Every year, the Canadian government organizes this event to connect Canadian employers in predominantly anglophone provinces with skilled bilingual candidates from a variety of industries.

To learn more about the Destination Canada Mobility Forum and how we can represent you, register for the orientation session now.

Should you have any questions about the sessions, please direct them to talent@yeswinnipeg.com.

Manitoba government launches engagement on addressing labour shortage through immigration

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The Manitoba government invites Manitobans to provide feedback on how immigration could help address labour shortages to understand better their views on this important topic, Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes announced today.

"Our government recognizes the staffing challenges facing employers, so finding the best ways to tap into the skills and experience that many newcomers have to offer to address the current labour shortage has the potential to lead to a stronger workforce for all Manitobans," said Reyes. "As we continue to develop a full continuum of immigration programs and services, we value the ideas, advice and experiences of others in shaping immigration policies that produce the greatest benefit for all concerned. I encourage all Manitobans to share their ideas via this public engagement survey to help inform this important aspect of public policy."

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MPNP notice regarding NOC 2021

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The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) will be switching to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for all applications received on or after November 16, 2022 in accordance with the change being made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

In order to implement the necessary changes, the MPNP will conduct the final Expression of Interest Draw using NOC 2016 on September 15, 2022.

The MPNP will conduct the first Expression of Interest Draw using NOC 2021 after November 16, 2022. The MPNP will announce when the Expression of Interest profile can be created using NOC 2021 following the Expression of Interest Draw on September 15, 2022.

If your MPNP application was made with NOC 2016, your MPNP nomination and subsequent permanent residence application will be assessed using NOC 2016. Your application and nomination cannot be switched to NOC 2021.

Do not submit an Expression of Interest profile unless all eligibility criteria is met.

Hong Kong Talent Recruitment Mission

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The MPNP will be participating in Yes! Winnipeg's virtual recruitment campaign for hiring international talent from Hong Kong on April 26, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. Hong Kong time | 7:00 a.m. CDT by delivering a presentation on the MPNP's Skilled Worker program to be followed by a Q&A session. Please see here for free tickets to this event, and visit Yes! Winnipeg's website for more information.