Manitoba has held another Provincial Nominee Program draw, this time focusing on skilled workers who had already been identified through special recruitment efforts. The latest round shows how the province is using targeted invitations, including support for some temporary work permit holders, to meet labour needs while managing its 2026 nomination allocation.
Manitoba issues 96 invitations in a targeted immigration draw
Manitoba has carried out its 10th provincial immigration draw of 2026, inviting 96 candidates through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This round was not a broad selection from the full pool. Instead, it focused on people who had already been connected to Manitoba through a strategic recruitment initiative.
The invitations, known as Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs), were issued under both parts of the Skilled Worker Stream: Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas. These streams are part of the wider system of Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada, which allow provinces to select newcomers who match local labour market needs.
For candidates considering Manitoba PNP pathways, this draw is an important reminder that the province continues to favour applicants with a direct link to Manitoba, especially those identified through employer-led or community-based recruitment efforts.
Who was considered in this round?
To be included, candidates needed to show in their Expression of Interest profile that they had received an invitation through a Manitoba recruitment mission or through the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates, often called the TPP.
This means the draw was aimed at people who were already on Manitoba’s radar. In practical terms, these are not random invitations. They are part of a more targeted provincial selection strategy, similar to how some provinces align their nominations with local employers, regional priorities, and occupation shortages.
Of the 96 LAAs issued, 20 went to candidates who also had a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code. That matters because an enhanced provincial nomination connected to Express Entry can significantly strengthen an applicant’s position in the federal system. Anyone trying to understand their score can review the Comprehensive Ranking System and see how provincial nomination fits into the broader immigration to Canada process.
How Manitoba distributed the invitations
Manitoba broke down the 96 invitations by strategic recruitment category. The largest share went to candidates connected to the TPP, showing that the province is continuing to follow through on its earlier plan to prioritize certain work permit holders with Manitoba-specific ties.
| Strategic recruitment initiative | LAAs issued |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 31 |
| Ethnocultural Communities | 9 |
| Francophone Community | 4 |
| Regional Communities | 4 |
| Temporary Public Policy (TPP) | 48 |
Half of all invitations in this draw went to TPP-related candidates. That is consistent with Manitoba’s earlier announcement that it would run draws for people who received Manitoba-supported work permits under this temporary measure. Although the policy has expired, the province is still using it as a basis for selecting some candidates for nomination.
Why the TPP group matters
The TPP was designed to help certain potential provincial nominee candidates obtain work permits while waiting for the next immigration step. Manitoba’s latest action suggests that the province is trying to retain workers who are already contributing to the local economy and who may be well positioned for permanent residence.
For many foreign nationals, this reflects a common Canadian immigration pattern: temporary status can sometimes create a pathway to permanent residence when supported by a province, employer, or qualifying work history. This is also why many applicants compare provincial routes with federal options such as the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Why some eligible candidates may not have received an invitation
Manitoba also explained why some people who appeared to match the draw criteria may still have been left out. This is a crucial point for applicants, because many missed invitations happen because of profile errors rather than lack of eligibility.
Common reasons for not receiving an LAA
- Language test details were missing, incorrect, or expired.
- The candidate said they had a strategic recruitment invitation but did not enter a valid invitation number.
- For TPP-related cases, the Manitoba Support Letter may have been approved after the date range currently being processed.
In this draw, Manitoba specifically noted that some TPP work permit holders may not yet have received an LAA if their Manitoba Support Letters were approved after June 30, 2025. The province appears to be working through earlier approvals first.
This highlights a broader lesson for anyone pursuing Canadian immigration pathways: details matter. A valid IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF result, a correct profile number, and complete supporting information can make the difference between being selected and being passed over. The same is true in federal systems, where even a small mistake can affect an Invitation to Apply under Express Entry.
Applicants should also remember that language tests and educational records often need to line up with other parts of the file. In many economic programmes, an Educational Credential Assessment and valid language proof are basic building blocks of eligibility.
What Manitoba’s 2026 numbers show so far
Beyond the latest draw, Manitoba has published broader figures for the Skilled Worker Stream covering January to April 2026. These numbers give a useful picture of how active the province has been and how it is managing its nomination spaces.
EOIs and nominations in early 2026
According to the province, the number of candidates selected from the pool and issued LAAs was 102 in January, 101 in February, 60 in March, and 340 in April. On the nomination side, Manitoba issued 484 nominations in January, 425 in February, 389 in March, and 445 in April.
Manitoba’s total nomination allocation from the federal government for 2026 is 6,239. Out of the nominations issued in the first four months of the year, 571 were enhanced nominations linked to Express Entry. That ongoing use of enhanced nominations shows that Manitoba continues to rely on federal-provincial coordination as part of its immigration strategy.
Application volumes and processing inventory
The province also reported that nomination applications received fell from 292 in January to 109 in April. At the same time, the number of applications under assessment or pending assessment dropped sharply, from 2,605 in January to 1,014 in April.
That decline may suggest Manitoba has been working through its inventory more quickly. For applicants, that can be encouraging, although processing times and outcomes always depend on the specifics of the file and the province’s current priorities.
Refusals were also reported: 95 in January, 38 in February, 35 in March, and 95 in April. These numbers are a reminder that receiving an LAA is not the final step. Candidates still need to submit a strong nomination application with accurate documents and convincing evidence that they meet programme requirements.
What this means for future applicants
For people hoping to settle in Winnipeg or elsewhere in Manitoba, the province’s recent activity suggests that targeted selection will likely remain important. Having a Manitoba connection through work, community support, recruitment initiatives, or an employer can be a major advantage.
At the same time, applicants should not focus only on one route. Depending on their background, they may also want to explore recent Express Entry draws, review ways to improve their CRS score, or look at other regional options across Canada. Those unsure where they fit can assess their immigration options before deciding which strategy makes the most sense.
Immigration rules, criteria, and programme priorities can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current requirements with IRCC or the relevant province, or speak with a licensed immigration professional before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, compassionate support at every stage of your move to Canada—if you are ready to take the next step, you can book your free immigration assessment.
