The Skilled Workers Overseas (SWO) is one of the many immigration streams in the list of Skilled Workers Overseas Category within the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), the province of Manitoba is responsible for the operating procedure of a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The main focus of the Skilled Workers Overseas Program is to find foreign nationals with good skills and foreign work experience. So they can contribute their efforts to Manitoba’s labor force and represent an association to the province. If you are one of the lucky candidates selected by the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream, you will be further invited to submit your application. The MPNP Ranking System is used to rank the candidates. Only the ones with a strong and interesting profile will be invited to submit their applications and get Canadian permanent residence.
Skilled Workers Overseas Stream Requirements
A Connection to Manitoba
If you want to meet the requirements for the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream, it is important that you prove a connection to Manitoba. There are many ways to prove a connection such as:
- Previous education period in Manitoba.
- Previous Job or work experience in Manitoba.
- A friend or someone who is a close relative willingly acts as one of the Manitoba supporters.
- Or if a candidate gets an invitation by an MPNP Strategic Recruitment Initiative or by Exploratory Visit.
These requirements are as per the MPNP website.
Language Proficiency
If a candidate already has a title at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B, then there is no need to worry about language proficiency requirements. But the eligible candidates will have to take the test in either English or French and wait for the results. If they score the minimum required points, they can move to the next requirement.
If a candidate already has a title at NOC Skill Level C or D then the candidate should have a valid language test score that indicates the language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
Education Level
There is no specific education requirement for this program. However, the candidates with proof of secondary education completion will score more points through the MPNP Ranking System. Only the candidates who will score the highest ranking will further get an invitation to apply to the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream. The applicants having post-secondary training are more likely to have an advantage than others in the pool.
Points Assessment Grid
It is mandatory that a candidate should score at least 60 out of 100 points on the Manitoba Points Assessment Grid in order to qualify for the Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas Stream. Even if you get the minimum required score, success is not guaranteed. Don’t forget that candidates are ranked by MPNP Ranking System.
Settlement Plan
A settlement plan is necessary for candidates of MPNP streams, they will describe their future plan for staying in Manitoba.
Settlement Funds
The applicants for the MPNP stream should be always ready to meet specific provincial settlement funds requirements. The Province of Manitoba needs candidates to prove that they have a minimum of $10,000 CAD funds plus a $2,000 CAD additional per spouse. These are the requirements by province. If you are submitting a federal immigration application the requirements may be different.
Application Procedure for Skilled Workers Overseas Stream
The Skilled Workers Overseas Program runs on a system of Expression of Interest (EOI). The applicants who meet the minimum eligibility and requirements can submit their profile online using the MPNP portal. With the MPNP draws a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) will be issued to the highest-ranking candidates. A time period of 60 days is given to the candidates to submit their applications with complete information to MPNP.
Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) is often issued to candidates having work experience in-demand jobs in Manitoba, or to those having a higher language proficiency rate than the minimum for the program. MPNP Online account can be used to submit an application.
Once the candidate’s application is accepted, a provincial nomination for permanent residence from Manitoba will be issued further. They will receive a nomination package through mail service and steps to follows to submit a federal application for permanent residence.
Application Processing Timeframe
A Provincial nominated candidate has six months from the nomination date. An official application for permanent residence can be submitted at any time during this timeframe. A paper-based application should be prepared and sent to the designated application center via mail. The PNP application is usually processed within 18 months of submission.
