Maple News reports that the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held its fourth immigration draw of 2024 on February 26, inviting a total of 207 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination toward permanent residency in Canada.
The invitations, known as Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs), were issued through three key immigration streams: Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Overseas, and the International Education Stream. Of the total, 158 candidates were selected from the Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream with a minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 457. An additional 21 candidates were chosen through the Skilled Workers Overseas stream, requiring a minimum score of 698. Meanwhile, 28 LAAs were issued under the International Education Stream, which does not have an EOI score requirement.
Among the 207 invitations, five were extended to candidates with active Express Entry profiles. Express Entry is Canada’s primary immigration pathway for skilled workers and manages applications through three federal economic programs. Candidates in the Express Entry system are assessed and ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors such as age, work experience, education, and language proficiency.
Receiving a provincial nomination under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), like the MPNP, gives Express Entry candidates an additional 600 CRS points—effectively securing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To be eligible for Manitoba’s provincial nomination, interested applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with the MPNP. Candidates are then ranked on a 1,000-point scale based on human capital attributes such as skills, education, work experience, and ties to the province.
Manitoba continues to use its provincial draws to address its local labour market needs by prioritizing skilled workers and international graduates with a strong potential to contribute to the province’s economy. According to Maple News, more immigration draws are expected in the coming months as the province works to meet its 2024 intake targets.