Manitoba has continued its carefully focused immigration strategy in late January, issuing a new round of invitations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) aimed squarely at skilled workers connected to the province through targeted recruitment efforts.
The draw reinforces Manitoba’s ongoing preference for candidates who already meet labour market needs, particularly those backed by employers or community-based initiatives.
Also Read Manitoba PNP Draw #263
January PNP Selection Highlights
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program conducted its second draw of 2026 on January 29, issuing 47 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs). Invitations were limited to candidates under the Skilled Worker Stream, including individuals already employed in Manitoba as well as skilled workers residing abroad.
Rather than selecting candidates based solely on ranking scores, Manitoba chose applicants who had indicated in their Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles that they were invited through a provincial strategic recruitment initiative.
Pathways Used in the Draw
Invited candidates fell under two immigration pathways:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba
- Skilled Worker Overseas
Both pathways are designed for individuals with skills, experience, and qualifications aligned with Manitoba’s economic priorities, particularly those with verified employment connections.
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Strategic Recruitment at the Core
All invitations issued in this draw were tied to specific recruitment initiatives led or supported by the province. The largest share of invitations went to candidates connected with Manitoba employers, highlighting the province’s reliance on employer-driven immigration.
The breakdown of invitations included:
- Employer Services recruitment
- Temporary Public Policy supporting work permits for future PNP nominees
- Regional community-based recruitment
- Francophone-focused selection
- Ethnocultural community initiatives
This targeted approach allows Manitoba to address workforce shortages while supporting linguistic and cultural diversity across the province.
Express Entry Candidates Included
A small portion of the invited candidates also held active Express Entry profiles, making them eligible for faster permanent residence processing if they later receive a federal invitation. These applicants had submitted valid Express Entry profile numbers and job seeker validation codes in their EOI submissions.
2026 Invitation Numbers So Far
With this January draw, Manitoba has now issued more than 100 invitations through the MPNP in 2026. Notably, both draws held so far this year have concentrated heavily on candidates invited through Employer Services, suggesting that this recruitment channel will remain central to Manitoba’s immigration planning in the coming months.
Special Attention to Regulated Occupations
The province also confirmed that some invited applicants declared employment in regulated professions and stated that they hold the necessary licensing to work in Manitoba.
However, provincial officials emphasized that invitations do not guarantee approval. Applications may be refused if candidates are unable to demonstrate that:
- They are genuinely employed in a regulated occupation, or
- They have completed all mandatory licensing, certification, or authorization requirements
Given the non-refundable CAD 500 application fee, Manitoba advises candidates to proceed only if they can fully support all claims made in their EOI profile.
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Application Timeline and Requirements
Candidates who receive an LAA must submit a complete application within 60 days. Applications are reviewed individually, based on program requirements in effect at the time of submission.
Applicants must ensure that:
- All documents are uploaded in PDF or JPG format
- Each file is under 2 MB
- Documents are provided in English or French
- Certified translations and notarized copies are included for non-English or non-French documents
Every detail listed in the EOI profile must be supported with documentary evidence.
Submitting Through the Online Portal
Once the application is finalized, candidates must pay the CAD 500 processing fee and submit their file through the MPNP Online system. Applicants with successfully processed payments receive a file number by email within 48 hours.
The online portal also allows applicants to:
- Track application progress
- Update personal or employment information
- Add family members
- Upload additional documents when requested
What This Draw Signals for Skilled Workers
This latest selection round clearly signals Manitoba’s continued commitment to precision-based immigration, prioritizing skilled workers who already contribute, or are ready to contribute, to the provincial economy.
For foreign workers, international professionals, and Manitoba-based employees seeking permanent residence, strategic recruitment initiatives remain one of the strongest pathways into the province’s PNP system as 2026 progresses.
