MPNP - (Business) International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (ISEP)

Program Update – 10/06/2026

The International Student Entrepreneur Pilot accepts a maximum of 20 Manitoba graduate international students per year. Attendance at an ISEP information session is mandatory before submitting any forms. The MPNP only requires third-party asset verification when specified during the process/LAA. There is no fixed minimum net worth or security deposit; however, you must still demonstrate the resources to execute your business plan and settle financially.

Source: International Student Entrepreneur Pilot.

Minimum Criteria and Requirements

Business Experience

• A business plan is mandatory in your application.
• You must operate the business in a senior manager role on a day-to-day basis from your place of business in Manitoba for at least 6 months prior to nomination, in accordance with the requirements of the Business Performance Agreement (BPA).
• You must own at least 51% of the business equity.

Official Languages Proficiency

• Minimum CLB/NCLC 7.

Education

• You must have completed a full-time post-secondary program in Manitoba of at least 2 years in duration.
• Education and/or work/business experience outside Canada will be considered an asset, but is not a prerequisite requirement.

Age

• You must be between 21 and 35 years of age.

Adaptability

• You must hold a valid open work permit at the time of application.
• You must have resided continuously in Manitoba since graduation.
• You must demonstrate the intent to continue residing in Manitoba after being nominated.

Net Worth/Settlement Funds

• No deposit is required.
• A minimum net worth is not a prerequisite criterion; however, your net worth/source of funds will be reviewed to assess your ability to successfully execute your business plan.
• You must demonstrate cash/liquid assets equivalent to the LICO requirement for independent financial resources for 12 months.
• If requested by the MPNP, your personal net worth must be verified by a third-party service provider approved by the MPNP, according to the timeline and instructions in the LAA.

Business Performance Agreement (BPA)

• Once your application is approved, you must sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) before the MPNP issues an approval-in-principle letter for you to implement your business plan.

Who is ineligible to apply for the MPNP?

The following individuals are not eligible to apply for the MPNP:

• Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in federal appeal or removal proceedings
• Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada
• Temporary foreign workers currently working and residing in a province other than Manitoba
• Spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Individuals refused by the MPNP within the last 6 months and unable to resolve the reasons for refusal
• Individuals with an active immigration application with another provincial immigration program or a federal immigration program in Canada (Note: An Express Entry profile is not considered an active immigration application)

If you or your spouse already have an active MPNP application, you are not eligible to submit another application for any other MPNP stream/pathway.

Apply – International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (ISEP)

Process Overview

The steps below summarize the process for expressing interest and applying to the ISEP. Steps 1-3 involve expressing interest; steps 4–7 involve submitting your application and meeting the requirements for nomination. For full details, download the ISEP Interim Process Map.

Step 1: Self-assessment

• Conduct an objective self-assessment and determine whether you meet the minimum criteria for the International Student Entrepreneur Pilot.
• Complete the Interest Guideline Form.

Step 2: Learn about Manitoba and research your Business Concept

• Research Manitoba’s business environment and your proposed business.
• Attend a mandatory ISEP information session at the MPNP.
• Complete the Business Concept Form.

Step 3: Submit forms to the MPNP

After researching Manitoba’s business environment and attending the mandatory ISEP information session, you may submit your forms. Required forms include:

• Business Concept Form;
• Interest Guideline Form; and
• Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives, if applicable.

The MPNP will respond via email. If you do not meet the minimum requirements of the ISEP, your business concept will not be considered. Note: submitting the Interest Guideline and Business Concept forms **is not** an application to the MPNP.

Step 4: Submit a complete application

If you receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) for the ISEP, you must submit a complete application to the MPNP within the deadline stated in the LAA. The LAA will provide detailed instructions on how to submit your application.

The MPNP reserves the right to request verification of net worth and financial information by a third-party service provider designated by Manitoba. The LAA will specify if the MPNP requires you to submit net worth/financial information for verification.

• Submission of electronic copies (via email) of all provincial and federal forms is mandatory.
• Hard copies of these forms are not accepted.
• Hard copies of supporting documents may be submitted by mail or in person.
• All documents listed in the Instructions and Document Checklist and the net worth verification report (if requested) must be submitted, and you must pay the $2,500 application fee at the time of submission to the MPNP.

Step 5: Application assessment

• Complete applications will be assessed by the MPNP. The assessment process includes an in-person interview with the MPNP.
• If your application meets all requirements, the Program will send an approval letter via email.
• You must sign the ISEP-Business Performance Agreement (BPA) before the MPNP grants approval-in-principle for you to proceed with your business plan.

Step 6: Operate the business in Manitoba

• Implement your business plan and operate the business in Manitoba. MPNP officers may assist you with information and feedback.

Step 7: Receive MPNP nomination

KeyApply & Ontario Startup Studio Services

• Turnkey business solutions
• Market research and support for negotiating and signing commercial lease agreements
• Support for researching customer needs and developing market expansion plans
• Students are trained and coached one-on-one to operate an actual business
• Businesses with a long-term development orientation and opportunities to participate in provincial PNP labor recruitment programs
• Assistance in preparing operational reports and business records compliant with program criteria
• Experienced business consulting team accompanying you throughout the business development process

• Comprehensive legal support: corporate lawyers and immigration lawyers

Models that KeyApply & Ontario Startup Studio have successfully implemented for immigration clients recently

• Nail salons and beauty care
• Diverse culinary models: Banh Mi shops, fast food, children's bakeries, restaurants, and eateries
• Agricultural and food trading
• Trading of materials and new products
• Technology and digital solutions
• Accounting and finance
• Repair and maintenance services
• Education and training
• And many other business models suited to market demand and long-term development goals in Canada

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