BIS Entrepreneur and Farmer Pathway
Manitoba BIS Entrepreneur and Farmer Pathway
The Manitoba Business Investor Stream (BIS) is part of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) and provides pathways for qualified international business investors and entrepreneurs to establish businesses in Manitoba. The stream includes two pathways: the Entrepreneur Pathway and the Farm Investor Pathway.
Entrepreneur Pathway
The Entrepreneur Pathway allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business owners who intend to move to Manitoba and establish, purchase, or become partners in a business within the first 24 months of arriving in Canada on a temporary work permit.
Key Requirements
Business Experience:
- Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience in the last 5 years as an active business owner or senior manager
- Experience must be documented and verifiable
Language Ability:
- Minimum CLB/NCLC 5 in English or French
- Must provide official language test results
Education:
- Minimum Canadian high school certificate equivalent
- Education Credential Assessment (ECA) required for education completed outside Canada
Age:
- No minimum or maximum age
- However, points are awarded for age in the assessment grid
Business Investment:
- In Manitoba Capital Region (Winnipeg area): Minimum $250,000 CAD investment
- Outside Manitoba Capital Region: Minimum $150,000 CAD investment
- Investment must be in a qualifying business
Business Research Visit:
- Must conduct a business research visit to Manitoba
- Visit must be no more than one year before application
- Submit a Business Plan as part of your application
Adaptability:
- Points awarded for:
- Spouse language proficiency (CLB 5+)
- Spouse/Partner work experience in Manitoba
- Spouse/Partner education in Manitoba (minimum 1 year)
- Applicant or spouse/partner having close relative in Manitoba for at least one year
- Minimum 1 year of full-time work experience in Manitoba as a work permit holder (preferred but not required)
Net Worth:
- Minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD
- Must be verified by a third-party supplier approved by the MPNP
Business Ownership:
- Minimum 33 1/3% ownership if starting a new business
- Or minimum $1 million investment for less than 33 1/3% ownership
- Must provide active and ongoing participation in day-to-day management
- Business must create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (other than the applicant and dependents)
The Process
- Research and Business Plan Development
- Business Research Visit to Manitoba
- Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Receive Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) if selected
- Submit Full Application
- Interview with MPNP Officer
- Sign Business Performance Agreement
- Apply for Work Permit
- Establish Business in Manitoba
- Request Nomination after meeting business commitments
- Apply for Permanent Residence
Qualifying Businesses
A qualifying business must have the potential to create economic benefit to Manitoba through:
- Job creation for Canadians/permanent residents
- Introduction of new or improved products or services
- Investment in or expansion of export markets
- Increased processing of Manitoba products or resources
- Enhanced research and development
- Technology commercialization
- Innovation in traditional businesses
Businesses Not Eligible:
- Businesses operating primarily for investment income
- Property rental and leasing activities
- Real estate construction/development/brokerage
- Insurance brokerage or business brokerage
- Professional services (unless applicant has license/certification)
- Payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing businesses
- Pawnbrokers
- Tanning salons
- DVD rental stores
- Bed and breakfasts
- Coin-operated businesses (laundromats, car washes)
- Home-based businesses (with some exceptions)
Farm Investor Pathway
The Farm Investor Pathway is designed for individuals with proven farm business experience, sufficient capital to invest, and who intend to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba.
Key Requirements
Farm Business Experience:
- Minimum 3 years of farm ownership and operation experience
- Supported by verifiable documents
Language Ability:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French
Farm Business Investment:
- Minimum $300,000 CAD investment in Manitoba
- Investment must be in a farm business in rural Manitoba
Farm Business Research Visit:
- Conduct a farm business research visit to Manitoba
- Submit a Farm Business Plan
Net Worth:
- Minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD
- Must be verified by a third-party supplier approved by MPNP
Age:
- Minimum 18 years of age
Other Requirements:
- Intend to live on the farm and actively participate in management
- Conduct value-added farm business activities in Manitoba
- Demonstrate practical farming skills and technical knowledge
- Adaptability factors similar to Entrepreneur Pathway
The Process
Similar to the Entrepreneur Pathway, including:
- Farm business research visit
- Submit Expression of Interest
- Apply upon receiving LAA
- Interview
- Sign Farm Business Performance Agreement
- Apply for work permit
- Establish farm operation
- Request nomination
- Apply for permanent residence
Points Assessment
Both pathways use a points-based assessment system (maximum 150 points) considering:
| Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Age | 10 |
| Business Experience | 35 |
| Business Ownership | 15 |
| Net Worth | 15 |
| Language Proficiency | 20 |
| Adaptability | 55 |
| Total | 150 |
Candidates must score at least 60 points (out of 100) on the MPNP assessment grid to be considered.
How We Can Help
Our services for Manitoba BIS applicants include:
✓ Eligibility Assessment - Evaluate your qualifications for the program ✓ Business Plan Development - Professional business plan preparation ✓ Farm Business Plan - Specialized plans for Farm Investor Pathway ✓ Research Visit Coordination - Plan and document your Manitoba visit ✓ EOI Submission - Create and submit your Expression of Interest ✓ Application Preparation - Complete application package preparation ✓ Net Worth Verification - Coordinate with MPNP-approved verifiers ✓ Interview Preparation - Mock interviews and coaching ✓ Work Permit Application - Support for temporary work permit ✓ Business Establishment Support - Guidance on meeting performance agreement ✓ Nomination Request - Prepare and submit nomination request
Important Considerations
Refundable Deposit
A $100,000 CAD deposit is required before nomination:
- Held in trust by the MPNP
- Refunded after meeting Business Performance Agreement conditions
- Forfeited if conditions not met
Business Performance Agreement
You must sign a Business Performance Agreement that specifies:
- Investment amount
- Job creation requirements
- Timeline for establishing business
- Other specific conditions
Timelines
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| EOI Submission | Ongoing |
| LAA after EOI | Varies based on score/draws |
| Application Review | 3-6 months |
| Interview | 1-3 months after application review |
| Nomination Decision | 1-2 months after interview |
| Work Permit Processing | 2-4 months |
| Business Establishment Period | Up to 24 months |
| Nomination Request Review | 2-4 months |
| Permanent Residence | 12-18 months after nomination |
Contact us for a detailed assessment of your eligibility for Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream!