January 31, 2013

PROVINCE IMPROVES, EXPANDS PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM ONLINE APPLICATION

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Change Would Provide Faster Processing Times For Skilled Workers:  Melnick

A faster and easier electronic process for applying to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is now available to all applicants through MPNP Online, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick announced today.

"Introducing MPNP Online in 2011 was an excellent technological step forward," said Melnick.  "We're now proud to make this innovative online tool available to all Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program applicants. This will help simplify the process and help get skilled workers to Manitoba sooner."

While the paper application process for applying to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program can take up to 10 months, using MPNP Online can reduce the processing time for complete applications to an average of four months, added Melnick.

Applicants using MPNP Online are now able to:

* predetermine eligibility for the program,

* connect to pre-arrival services including labour market and English-language services, and

* reduce their chances of submitting an incomplete application and delaying the processing time.

Since the launch of MPNP Online, nearly 4,000 priority applicants have applied to the program using the service.  Applicants using MPNP Online have been very positive about their experience with the online tool, with 98 per cent describing the application as easy to use and follow, Melnick said. 

For more information about MPNP Online, go to www.immigratemanitoba.com.