Province of Manitoba | Prepare to Move

Take advantage of the wait time

If you are accepted to immigrate to Manitoba you may have to wait a long time before you can move. While you are waiting there are helpful things you can do to make it easier to adjust to life in Manitoba.

Learn about Canada and Manitoba
Research Winnipeg’s costs and income
Improve your English
Look for a job
Research credentials recogniton
Connect with people and organizations
Look for a home
Gather your official documents
Prepare for arrival

Learn about Canada and Manitoba

Manitoba is known as a friendly place. And you are sure to find people who moved here from your country earlier. But there will be things about the province that are different than what you are used to: the weather, society and culture, even the way we do everyday things such as work, shop and spend time with family and friends.

The websites below have detailed information about Canada, about the Province of Manitoba and our cities, towns and regions.

Going to Canada Immigration Portal
- This Government of Canada website has practical information for people who are moving to Canada or who are considering Canada as a destination to immigrate, work or study.
All about Canada
- This extensive government of Canada website explains our land, society, government and economy. There are photos, weather forecasts, information about culture and sports, links to Canadian newspapers and other media. You can even listen to our national anthem.
Visit, study and work
- Explore the Going to Canada website to discover links to information and services when planning a temporary stay or making Canada your new home.
Maps: Where is Manitoba?
- This interactive map shows where Manitoba is within Canada – then zoom in to see the province’s regions and communities, and zoom in even further to see city streets.
- This map shows Manitoba’s regions and links to information about the towns and cities including the capital, Winnipeg.
Online visits: Manitoba, Winnipeg and towns
Who we are
- This Statistic Canada website lets you see when and where people immigrated, religion, ethnicity, income, language and other population characteristics.
Canada for children
- This is a fun, interactive website for children to learn about Canada. You can even see Canadian kids TV shows!
Canada for youth
- CBC Youth Archives: This huge multimedia site in a style for students covers every subject from history to pop culture – from the Canadian origin of comic book hero Superman to our national passion, hockey, to our heroes of international peacekeeping.

Winnipeg and Manitoba facts & figures

Statistics Canada shows the social and economic character of Manitoba’s capital city, Winnipeg. Information includes what jobs residents have and how much they spend on food, home and other living expenses.

Improve your English

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.

See our Learn English on Your Own page. There is a link to a website that uses Manitoba radio news reports in English lessons designed for immigrants. And there is a booklet you can use to compare your language abilities to the expectations of Manitoba schools and employers.

Find a job

While still overseas you can search the Manitoba pages of online jobsites to see what kind of jobs are available and what they may pay. Although you do not yet have permanent resident status employers may want to hear from you now. At these websites you can learn about the Canadian method of looking for work – “job search skills.” For more information go to our Find a job section.

Have your work and educational credentials recognized

Being accepted for immigration to Canada does not mean that your work experience, credentials or educational achievements will be recognized by Canadian employers. Our Working in Manitoba section explains how to have your qualifications recognized. There may be steps you can take now to speed up the process.

Connect with people and organizations

It will be much easier to adjust to life and become a part of the community if you make contact with people here while you are still overseas. Making connections now could even help you find a job.

Our Multiculturalism section has links to ethnocultural associations representing various groups in Manitoba’s diverse population.

You may also do a web search of professional, social and other groups in Manitoba whose interests you share. For example the service group Rotary International is active in many countries, and in Manitoba. Or, soccer (football) is a very popular sport in Manitoba; visit the websites of the many amateur clubs.

Find a home, consider your budget

Among Canadian cities Winnipeg is known for its low cost of living. But what that means to you depends on the country you are leaving.

Destination Winnipeg calculates how much money the average Winnipeg family spends on food, shelter, transportation, healthcare, etc. and compares these amounts to other Canadian cities. Use the websites below to see what is available. You can use these sites to look now for a home to buy.

Our Housing section explains Manitoba laws and practices for renters and homeowners such as signing leases and getting mortgage loans.

Gather documents, records, certificates

Before you leave your home country gather all documents that will be required for you to enter Canada, and documents that you will need to help you settle and find a job. (Make photocopies of your papers and keep them in a separate place in case the originals get lost.)

Documents you must have to enter Canada

Canadian immigrant visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence for you each family member travelling with you
a valid passport or other travel document for each family member travelling with you
two copies of a detailed list of all the personal or household items you are bringing with you (and the amount the items are worth)
two copies of a list of items that are arriving later
proof that you have enough money to cover living expenses - rent, food, clothing and transportation for six months

NOTE: Keep these documents with you, not in your luggage, because you must show them to immigration and customs officers when you first arrive in Canada. For forms and additional information visit Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Prohibited goods: Read the CBSA brochure Importing Goods to see if you have any personal or household items that you cannot bring into Canada.

Documents that you will need during your first days here

birth certificates or baptismal certificates
marriage certificates
adoption, separation or divorce papers
school, college or university diplomas and certificates including course descriptions
trade or professional certificates and licences
letters of reference from former employers (on company letterhead)
a list of your educational and professional qualifications and job experience (résumé)
immunization, vaccination, dental and other health records for each family member
driver's licence, including an International Driver's Permit
car registration documents if you are importing a motor vehicle

NOTE: If possible have your documents translated into English or French by a qualified translator before you move.

CHECKLISTS: Download and print Documents To Bring, and Things To Do (PDF)

Prepare for arrival

When you arrive in Winnipeg there are several things that you should have ready:

Canadian money: It is a good idea to have exchanged some money at home before you leave so you have Canadian cash on hand for immediate needs such as transportation, accomodation, dining and shopping.
Dress for the weather: The weather in Winnipeg can get hotter than +30 C in summer (July, August) and can drop below -30 C in winter (December, January, February). At -30 C (30 degrees below zero), skin can start to freeze in a few minutes. To keep warm in winter we wear wool hats ("toques") that cover the ears, wool scarves, gloves and well-insulated coats or jackets we call "parkas." For more information go to our Weather page.
Where to stay: Winnipeg has many hotels and motels. But if you are not staying with friends or family you should make arrangements in advance. Try these websites:
Airport transportation: A taxi from Winnipeg International Airport to downtown Winnipeg (where the major hotels are located) costs $18 to $20 Cdn.
Maps: Download and print our Winnipeg Map for Newcomers (PDF 200mb). Browse the Google Map of Winnipeg.