Manitoba Sets Final Window for PNP Candidates Seeking Special Two-Year Open Work Permits

Manitoba has announced its last call for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates who need provincial support to stay legally employed in the province while awaiting further immigration processing. Individuals with expired or expiring work permits have only until December 16, 2025, at 12:59 a.m. EDT to submit a request for a Manitoba support letter. This document is mandatory for accessing a temporary federal measure that grants eligible applicants a two-year open work permit (OWP).

The province published the update on December 4, 2025, signaling a decisive closing stage for thousands of foreign workers depending on this temporary pathway.

Also Read Manitoba Makes Final Appeal to PNP Applicants for Two-Year Open Work Permits

A Temporary Pathway Designed to Prevent Status Loss

The federal government introduced a special public policy in 2024 to assist PNP candidates who risk losing work authorization due to processing delays or the expiry of their permits. Under this policy, applicants who receive a support letter from their nominating province can apply for an OWP that allows them to work for any employer in that province for up to two years.

This initiative is set to remain available only until December 31, 2025, the date when the temporary public policy will expire unless extended again.

Who is Manitoba allowing to apply for Support Letters

Manitoba is using clearly defined criteria to decide who can request a support letter. These conditions ensure that only long-term residents with an active connection to the province are considered.

Provincial Requirements

To qualify, individuals must:

• Have maintained an active Expression of Interest (EOI) profile on January 15, 2025, and still possess a valid profile today.
  
• Show that their work permit has already expired in 2024 or 2025, or will expire sometime in 2025.
  
• Prove uninterrupted residency in Manitoba since before January 15, 2025.
  
• Present a current employment letter confirming ongoing work with a Manitoba employer.
  

Federal Requirements

Candidates must also satisfy at least one of the federal government’s eligibility categories, including:

• Holding a work permit that will expire sometime in 2025.
  
• Having possessed a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, which later expired, and having applied for one of the following:
  
  • Renewal of work authorization
    
  • Extension of temporary resident status
    
  • Restoration of status
    
• Having held a maintained status on May 7, 2024, and having submitted a work permit extension request before that date.
  

Applications connected to these conditions must either still be in processing or already approved.

The province has emphasized that meeting these requirements does not guarantee a support letter, as Manitoba may limit the number of letters issued.

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Documents Needed for the Manitoba Support Letter Request

Applicants must upload supporting evidence when filling out the online request form. This includes:

• A copy of their active EOI profile
  
• An employment letter from their current Manitoba employer
  
• One of the following:
  
  • Current work permit
    
  • Proof of work authorization
    
  • Proof of having held a valid permit on May 7, 2024, along with documents that confirm a submitted restoration or extension request
    

Manitoba will stop accepting submissions at 1:00 a.m. EDT on December 16, 2025.

Foreign nationals who have already received a nomination certificate are not eligible to use this temporary measure.

Steps to Apply for the Two-Year OWP After Receiving the Support Letter

Once Manitoba issues the support letter, candidates can submit their open work permit application to IRCC. The process must be completed online through an IRCC Secure Account.

How the Application Works

1. Read IRCC’s Application Guide (5553) to understand the required forms and procedures.
   
2. Log in or create an IRCC Secure Account and answer the online questionnaire to generate a personalized checklist.
   
3. When prompted with a scenario question, choose the option confirming that you are applying under an active IRCC public policy or pilot program.
   
4. Complete the application form by:
   
   • Selecting Open Work Permit as the type of permit.
     
   • Entering MBEOI2024 in both the job title and duties sections.
     
5. Upload all documents included in the personalized checklist, along with the following mandatory items:
   
   • Passport bio-page
     
   • IMM 5705 family information form
     
   • Digital photograph
     
   • Manitoba support letter
     
   • Copy of previous work permit (if available)
     
   • Current employer letter
     For documents such as employment contracts or reference letters, applicants may upload a page stating “Not applicable.”
     
6. Pay the applicable IRCC fees, which may include the work permit fee, the open permit holder fee, and a restoration fee if the applicant’s status has expired.
   
7. Apply before the federal public policy ends on December 31, 2025.
   

A Critical Deadline for Workers Relying on Provincial Support

The temporary public policy has been instrumental in allowing PNP candidates to continue contributing to Manitoba’s labour market while waiting for their immigration processes to advance. With the application window now nearing its end, candidates who rely on this provision must act swiftly to avoid disruptions in their employment and maintain eligibility within the PNP framework.