Frequenty Asked Questions

A list of frequently asked questions is found below.   If you have additional unanswered questions please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.


 

Q: What is the Manitoba Nominee Program (MPNP)?

A: The Manitoba Nominee Program was created in an agreement between the provincial Government of Manitoba and the federal Government of Canada. This agreement allows the Manitoba to nominate candidates for immigration to the province. It was created to recruit skilled labourers to fill vacant positions within the Manitoba labour market.  It also includes professionals and entrepreneurs.  An applicant who is nominated by the province to immigrate to Manitoba, is then considered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a Permanent Residence visa.

Q: How can I know if I am suited for a Nominee Program?

A: Manitoba has created a list of criteria which a candidate must meet in order to qualify for the nominee program.  These criteria have to do with age, education, intended occupation, guaranteed job offers, work experience, language, etc. Anyone who is interested in immigrating to Manitoba may take advantage of the free evaluation service offered by Star 7 International. Simply request and fill out our comprehensive Questionnaire and submit the necessary documents to us. We will then tell you if your application has a legitimate chance of succeeding, based on our experience and knowledge of the immigration process.

Q: Are my chances of immigrating higher if I have relatives in the province?

A: It is a definite advantage if you or your spouse has a brother, sister, parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew living in the province to which you are applying for nomination. Your relative must be a Permanent Resident of Canada or a Canadian Citizen and must be 19 years of age or older. Proof of this relationship is necessary.

Q: Whom do I include in my application for immigration?

A: Your spouse and all your dependent children must be included in your application. Any dependant family members over the age of 18 years are required to fill out a separate application form as well. Our immigration consultants at Star 7 International will determine the most advantageous way to organize your application file and what information is required to do this.

Q: What if members of my family do not accompany me to Canada?

A: All members of your family, whether they accompany you to Canada or not, must be included in the application forms provided by the Manitoba PNP. Any family members over 18 years of age must also fill out the appropriate application forms.

Q: What kind of fees will I have to pay?

A: If you have been approved as a Provincial Nominee you will have to pay the corresponding Federal Processing and Landing Fees for each person in your family. Please do not send any money along with your Provincial Nominee application. Please do not pay the Federal Fees to the corresponding Canadian Embassy before you have been advised to do so.

Q: Do I need to hire a lawyer or consultant for the immigration process?

A: In various instances (e.g. if you have difficulty understanding the information for which the forms are asking) you may want to hire someone to aid you or advise you on the immigration process. However, your application will receive equal consideration at the Manitoba PNP whether you prepare the application yourself or you hire a consultant to assist you.

Q: Am I required to arrange an appointment with an immigration office?

A: No.  (If an interview is required at some point in the process we can help make the arrangements.)  Please note however, that the criteria for the Manitoba PNP can change without notice. Therefore it is advisable for you to submit your application as soon as possible, if you feel you qualify under the current criteria. Your application is assessed according to the criteria that are in place when you hand in your application.

Q: Who evaluates and decides if I qualify for the Manitoba PNP?

A: All applications for immigration to Manitoba are evaluated by the immigration officers at Manitoba PNP in Winnipeg. These officers decide whether a candidate gets nominated by the province of Manitoba for immigration to Canada.

Q: What steps should I take if I nominated for immigration?

A: If you have been approved as a Provincial Nominee by Manitoba you will receive a letter from the province. This letter will explain in detail the next steps in the application process. Successful applicants are asked to hand in their supporting documents to a Canadian Immigration Processing Center within 180 days of their approval by the province. Applicants under the Provincial Nominee Program should not send any applications or documents to Citizenship and Immigration Canada until they have been advised by the PNP to do so.

Q: Is it necessary to be examined by a physician?

A: All candidates, including spouse and dependent children, who are nominated by the province for immigration to Canada, must subject themselves to a medical examination. All adults will also be required to submit a background check, based on a written police testimony. The applicant is responsible for paying any charges that will be involved. The medical examination and background checks are required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada in phase two of the application process. Successful applicants will receive further direction on how and when to take these steps. Do not proceed with a medical examination until you receive notice to do so.

Q: Upon arrival in Canada, do I need to register to begin working?

A: Some occupations require that you register or receive recognition before you begin work in the province. If you have enough points according to the Provincial Nominee Program criteria, you can hand in your application even if your occupation is regulated and requires recognition. A Program Officer will inform you of these requirements, if necessary.

Q: How much money should I have in order to establish myself in Canada?

A: The Government of Canada recommends that the applicant brings along at least $10,000 CDN and $2000 CAD for each additional family member. The actual amount of money required in order to be nominated by Manitoba depends on whether you have a guaranteed job offer and/or a relative who can support you.  Manitoba requires that you provide bank statements for the most recent three months.

Q: How long will it take to receive my Permanent Resident Visa?

A: The entire application processing time can vary. Certain circumstances can delay the application: missing documents, fees not paid, unclear photographs, incomplete or unsigned application forms, documents without accompanying English or French translations, etc. Certain health conditions may also require further investigation. As well, clarifying criminal offences can delay the process. Family conditions, such as separation and questions regarding care and support are also factors that will need to be addressed before an application is approved. The more complete your application is and the fewer negative circumstances you have, the quicker the entire process will be.