The province of Manitoba has conducted another immigration selection round in 2026, extending invitations to skilled workers who may qualify for provincial nomination. The latest selection was carried out on March 12, 2026, under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), one of Canada’s key provincial immigration pathways designed to address labour shortages.
This draw specifically focused on candidates connected to the province through targeted recruitment initiatives.
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Key Outcomes from the March 2026 Draw
In the most recent selection round, Manitoba issued 46 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to candidates registered in the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool.
Invitations were distributed through two pathways under the province’s Skilled Worker Stream:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba
- Skilled Worker Overseas
Only applicants who had indicated in their EOI profile that they had received a direct invitation from Manitoba through a strategic recruitment initiative were considered in this draw.
How Invitations Were Allocated
Manitoba often targets candidates through specific recruitment channels that support the province’s workforce and community needs. The latest draw reflected this strategy, with invitations divided among several initiatives.
| Strategic Recruitment Initiative | Invitations Issued |
| Employer Services | 17 |
| Francophone Community | 12 |
| Ethnocultural Communities | 9 |
| Regional Communities | 6 |
| Temporary Work Permit Facilitation Policy | 2 |
The Employer Services recruitment initiative accounted for the largest share of invitations, with 17 candidates. This initiative supports Manitoba employers actively seeking international talent to fill labour gaps.
Meanwhile, programs aimed at strengthening French-speaking communities and diverse cultural groups also played a significant role in the selection.
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Express Entry Candidates Included in the Selection
Among the invited applicants, five candidates had active profiles in the federal immigration system managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada through Express Entry.
Candidates nominated by Manitoba through enhanced Express Entry streams can benefit from additional points in the federal ranking system, significantly improving their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Comparison with the Previous Manitoba Draw
The number of invitations issued in the March 12 draw was lower than in the previous selection round on February 26, 2026, when 72 candidates received invitations.
This indicates a reduction of approximately 36 per cent in the number of invitations issued in the latest round.
Despite the decrease, Manitoba has already issued 249 invitations in total in 2026 through its provincial nominee program.
Manitoba’s Strategy for Skilled Worker Immigration
The province has largely concentrated its draws this year on the Skilled Worker Stream. Manitoba uses targeted recruitment initiatives to identify candidates who can quickly integrate into the local workforce and contribute to the provincial economy.
These initiatives allow Manitoba to focus on applicants who may already have strong connections with employers, communities, or regional development programs.
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Temporary Policy for Work Permit Support
A small number of invitations in the draw were linked to a temporary measure that previously allowed provinces to support foreign nationals with open work permits while their nomination applications were being processed.
Manitoba’s participation in this initiative concluded in December 2025, meaning future draws may rely less on this pathway.
Reasons Some Candidates May Not Receive Invitations
The MPNP has also clarified that some applicants who believe they meet the selection criteria may still miss out on invitations due to errors in their EOI profiles.
Common issues include:
- Entering invalid or expired language test results
- Not providing the correct language test identification number
- Submitting an incorrect strategic recruitment invitation number
Applicants who identify such mistakes can update their profiles to remain eligible for future selections.
Continued Opportunities for Skilled Workers
Manitoba continues to use its provincial nominee program to attract international professionals and address workforce shortages across multiple sectors. As the year progresses, additional draws are expected, providing more opportunities for skilled workers interested in settling in the province.
For many applicants, the MPNP remains a practical route toward permanent residence in Canada, especially for individuals with relevant work experience and connections to Manitoba’s labour market.
