To be processed in 2 weeks instead of 3 to 6 months
Manitoba will expedite the processing of Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) applications from areas affected by typhoon Haiyan, according to Premier Greg Selinger.
"We have seen the devastation that typhoon Haiyan has caused in the Philippines and we want to do whatever we can to help ease the burden for families recovering from its impact," said the premier. "Our Filipino community and all Manitobans have stepped up and reached out to support families in the Philippines. We're building on the outpouring of support financially and we're taking steps to help more families reunite with their loved ones."
Current MPNP applications will be processed within the next two weeks, compared to the three to six months it would normally take to process files. New applications will be processed on a priority basis.
However, the federal government has the sole authority for issuing immigration visas allowing anyone to travel temporarily or permanently to Canada, and applicants who have been approved by the MPNP will need to apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a permanent residency visa, said Selinger.
The Philippines consistently ranks as Manitoba's top source of immigration. From 2000 to 2012, 34,952 immigrants from the Philippines landed in Manitoba, the majority arriving through the successful MPNP, said the government.
The provincial government has also committed a total of $200,000 to support to the people of the Philippines affected by typhoon Haiyan.
