Your Exploratory Visit in Winnipeg

During your visit to Winnipeg, we hope that you will enjoy our city, get your questions answered, and be able to thoroughly prepare your exploratory visit report. Some things to think about ahead of time:

• Travel visa if applicable

• Arrange travel dates with the Association’s representative, book your flights, and forward us a copy of your flight itinerary.

• Be in contact with us about accommodation preferences.

Who may come?

The invitation for the exploratory visit is extended to your spouse and or family, where applicable. If your spouse is unable to attend, you can come on the exploratory visit alone.

Visas and travel times: Those of you who require a visitor visa to come to Winnipeg should apply for the visitor visa and then make travel arrangements when you receive your visitor visa. Please contact us to arrange a suitable time for your visit before booking your flights. Not all weeks will be suitable for a visit. Most visits are approximately 10 business days long not including travel days. An ideal visit start would be during the weekend.

Transportation:

There is a bus service and public transportation in Winnipeg. However, visitors can rent a car from a rental agency at the airport, hire a taxi, or make other arrangements. It is less stressful to plan for the rental vehicle before you leave on your visit. You will require a credit card (not a debit card) with a high limit and a driver’s license to book a rental car.

Accommodations and Meals:

Winnipeg has numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnb who provide short-term accommodations, as well as various cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores to cover your meals and other essentials. Please, contact us to see what is available during your visit.

Documents to bring along:

Be sure to have the following documents with you for your final interview (with translation to English if not in English).

• Educational documents:

• Copy of post-secondary degree or diploma

• Transcript or list of courses taken for your post-secondary education

• Education Credentials Assessment certificate

• Employment Documents for each employer for the period of the last 10 years:

• Letter on company letterhead listing

• Start and end date of employment

• Position title

• Brief description of duties

• That the job was full-time (30+ hours per week)

• Name and contact information for the company

• IELTS General results

• Copies of Birth Certificates for all family members

• Copies of passports for all family members

• Copies of the marriage certificate, if applicable

• Proof of Settlement Funds

• Bank statement

If you are self-employed, you will require additional documents: copies of business registration, business license, permits, business tax records for each year, statements of profit and loss, copies of work contracts, invoices from suppliers – basically whatever documentation you have to substantiate your self-employment.

Other:

Please, bring adapters for your electronics. Also, research the weather conditions during the time of your visit and dress accordingly.

Orientation session and final interview:

Upon your arrival in Winnipeg, the orientation session with the Community Board will be scheduled for you to ensure your exploratory visit plan covers all the aspects of life in the city. At the end of your visit, the final interview will be arranged with the Association’s representative.

Before we can set up these meetings, we require the following steps:

1. Book Your Flights

• You must book your arrival and departure flights to Winnipeg first.

• The Community Board cannot schedule the orientation session or final interview until they know your flight times.

2. Send Your Flight Details

After booking, you should send them:

• Arrival date and time in Winnipeg

• Departure date and time

This allows them to:

• Schedule your orientation session when you arrive.

• Arrange the final interview with the Association representative before you leave.

For an interview where you must demonstrate knowledge about our community, Winnipeg, and the Manitoba — and show you have a real plan to integrate into life there — the key is to gather information that proves you understand the economy, lifestyle, services, and community culture. Below is a practical guide for what to research and collect during your exploratory visit so you can confidently discuss it in the interview. This information can be gathered from the activities on the following page.

We look forward to seeing you in Winnipeg! If you have any further questions about your exploratory visit, feel free to contact us.

Exploratory Visit – Activity Plan

Accompanied Activities (Organized by the Community)

• Formal orientation session and tour of Winnipeg (neighbourhoods, employment zones, public infrastructure)

• Overview of the Manitoba education system (schools, daycare facilities – if applicable)

• Overview of the Manitoba healthcare system (walk-in clinics, family physician registration process, hospitals)

• Meeting with Community Representatives for structured assessment discussion

• Labour market orientation session

• Scheduled Meetings (Arranged Depending on Availability)

• Real Estate Agent – review of rental market, housing purchase options, average deposit requirements

• Immigrant Service Provider (e.g., settlement agencies) – discussion of newcomer programs and language training

• Employment-related visits to businesses aligned with the candidate’s occupation. Note: No job offer is expected or requested during the visit.

• If available:

• Conversation groups for newcomers

• Newcomer welcome events

• Meetings with recently landed immigrants

• Meeting with long-term residents of Manitoba

• Independent Research (Candidate’s Responsibility)

• Online job market through individual research

• Employment-related research and visits to businesses aligned with the candidate’s occupation:

• Collect business cards

• Gather job postings

• Document hiring requirements

• Discuss credential recognition pathways (if applicable)

• Visit banks – inquire about newcomer banking packages

• Compare grocery prices and collect advertisements

• Visit furniture and household stores – estimate cost of initial setup

• Visit car dealerships (new/used) – estimate transportation costs

• Research public transportation options

• Research phone and internet plans

• Explore recreational facilities and community integration opportunities

• Visit potential residential neighbourhoods at different times of day

Settlement Planning (Preparation for Final Interview)

Part 1 – Initial Settlement Budget (First Month)

• Proof of available settlement funds

• Detailed list of expected first-month expenses:

• Temporary accommodation

• Security deposit

• Utilities

• Transportation

• Food

• Initial household purchases

Part 2 – Ongoing Monthly Budget

• Expected initial wage range (based on real labour market research)

• Expected spouse income (if applicable)

• Estimated recurring monthly expenses

• Emergency reserve plan

Employment and Retention Analysis

• Prepare Community integration plan

• List researched employment opportunities

• Identify required certifications or licensing steps

• Explain why Manitoba (and not another province) is the intended long-term destination

• Prepare a written retention statement explaining long-term commitment to Manitoba

Final In-Person Interview (Community Assessment)

During the final structured interview, community representatives will revise:

• Authenticity of settlement intentions

• Labour market preparedness

• Financial readiness

• Realistic integration planning

• Long-term retention intent in Manitoba

• Community engagement potential

Prepare for the Final Interview

During the interview, you must show that you:

• Understand life in Winnipeg

• Know about Manitoba

• Have a clear plan to integrate into the community

You Should Show that During the Exploratory Visit

You collected information about things like:

• Housing

• Jobs

• Schools

• Transportation

• Cost of living

• Community services

You will use this information during the final interview.

A formal recommendation for community endorsement may be considered only after successful completion of this process.