6 STEPS to make Manitoba your new home The following steps explain the process followed by immigrants who

have achieved success in our province. Start by learning about Manitoba so you can make an informed decision to make this major move. 1. Find out about Manitoba People from almost every country live here, but you need fluent English to successful settle and find a job. Our winters are cold; summer is hot. Is it easy to get a job? What time and money is required to get licensed in a profession such as nursing or accounting? Read the pages in this section to learn about employment, language requirements, finances, living and community. 2. Make sure you understand the process Read the details of the MPNP eligibility requirements. Review the application forms and note the supporting documents you must include with your application. Note that there are different "streams" under which you can apply. 3. Complete and send your free application After we receive a complete application, MPNP program officers will assess your application according to program policies and criteria. People who are approved will be sent a letter with a Manitoba Certificate of Nomination. 4. Successful nominees apply for permanent resident visa After you receive your Certificate of Nomination you must apply for a permanent resident visa at the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate in your country of residence. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will decide if you meet security and medical criteria. 5. While you wait for your visa: Prepare! The more you know about Manitoba, the easier it will be for you to adjust to life here. Learn about our "multicultural society." Budget for living costs. Start now to improve your English. Plan your job search. Find out what is required to get licensed to work in a regulated occupation such as electrician and doctor. 6. Arrive in Manitoba In summer it may be 36 C. In winter it can be -36 C. If you arrive in winter you will need warm clothing. Have a place to stay waiting for you. As soon as you can, enrol in our ENTRY Program. These free orientations classes provide practical advice and instructions to start your new life. Province has sole authority Manitoba is a province of Canada. Canada has three levels of government federal, provincial and municipal like the United States, which has state and federal governments. Immigration is a shared responsibility of the federal and Manitoba governments. Immigrants apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and the program selects those most likely to settle permanently and successfully in the province. Manitoba then "nominates" you to apply for Canadian permanent residence. The Government of Canada does security and medical checks and issues visas.

Prepare for success Preparing before you leave your home country will help make your transition to life in Canada easier. After you are accepted to come to Manitoba as a provincial nominee or under a federal program you are about half-way through your immigration process. It takes another six months to a year to apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa, while the federal government does security and medical checks. Canadian embassies in some countries may have longer visa processing times. Citizenship and Immigration Canada tracks processing times at all international visa posts. You can check your application status online at Permanent resident visa processing times.

10 STEPS to prepare your move to Manitoba Take advantage of your waiting period by doing things that will make it easier for you to get established once you arrive in Manitoba. 1. Familiarize yourself with values, laws, your responsibilities and the rights you have as a Manitoban. 2. Take English classes in your country of residence. 3. Find out where you can stay upon arrival. 4. If you're arriving in winter make sure you have warm clothing. 5. Choose the Manitoba community where you will settle; research online the housing market. 6. Plan your job search. 7. If your intended occupation is a regulated trade or profession contact the regulatory body to find out what you will have to do to get licensed or certified. 8. Go online to research or make connections with professional, social, recreational, cultural groups. 9. Gather documents letters of reference from employers, professional certificates, school records; translate into English or French. 10. Get to know the programs and services available in Manitoba for newcomers; make a "settlement strategy." The following important topics each have a page in the Prepare to Move section. Improve your English Past immigrants to Manitoba inevitably say that improving English skills is the one thing they should have done before moving. If you cannot take a language class in your country of residence then use our self-study tools - two interactive websites and booklets to guide you in your learning. At home your English may be very good compared to other people. But you can expect that Canadian employers will want to hire people with the best communication skills. You may need to improve your technical or business English. As well, casual listening and speaking will be harder when you are living here.

Once you live in Manitoba you can take advantage of free English classes. But if English is not your first language it is strongly recommended that you attend English classes before you come to Manitoba.

Learn about Manitoba Familiarizing yourself with Manitoba before you arrive will help you get established at work, school, home, in your community and and ready to enjoy the quality of life Manitoba offers.

Research jobs and careers Remember that having a Certificate of Nomination is not a guarantee of employment. Like the rest of Canada, in Manitoba it is each person's responsibility to find a job. Past immigrants say it was absolutely necessary to research jobs and careers.