Program Eligibility

The Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada share responsibilities for assisting farm business people to immigrate to Manitoba through the Provincial Nominee Program for Young Farmers (PNP-YF).

The Young Farmer Nominee Program allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified farm business people and farm owners from around the world who have the intent and ability to move to Manitoba and establish or purchase a farm or become partners in an existing farm business.

To qualify under the program applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have a minimum personal net worth of CDN$150,000 (after relocating to Manitoba)

• Make a minimum amount of equity investment of CDN$150,000 in Manitoba

• Principal applicant must be under 40 years of age.

• Have a minimum of three (3) years of farm ownership experience, or three (3) years farm management background.

• Principal applicant (and/or spouse) has marketable skills that would supplement farm income.

• Have conducted a visit to Manitoba for a minimum of seven (7) days to investigate farming opportunities and Manitoba's quality of life prior to applying.

The applicant must also be prepared to:

• Conduct an Exploratory Visit to Manitoba to be able to provide documented assessment of farm business opportunities in Manitoba and general knowledge of the province.
  Please see the Guide to Applying for an Exploratory Visit to Manitoba.
• Make an Eligible Business Investment in Manitoba
• Reside in Manitoba along with their dependent family members
• Able to demonstrate that the combination of farm income and off-farm supplementary income will provide a family after tax income, in excess of $35,000.00 per year.

If your application for nomination is approved by Manitoba, you will be required to make a CDN$75,000 Deposit to the Government of Manitoba, guaranteeing that you will live in Manitoba and start or purchase a farm in Manitoba within two years of obtaining your permanent resident visa and landing in Manitoba. The deposit will be refunded without interest to you when the farm investment described in your application is made, your farm is operational and you are living in Manitoba.

If you are accepted for nomination by Manitoba, you will be provided with a Certificate of Nomination and instructions on how to submit the appropriate documents and federal processing fees to a Canadian Immigration visa office that services your area.

A decent standard of living for an average farm family of four will be expected to equal or exceed a minimum of $35,000 per year. This minimum family living expense can be earned either through farm income, or a combination of farm income and off-farm income.

Continue to the How to Apply...