On July 10, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted a new invitation round aimed at attracting individuals with strong connections to the province, particularly international student graduates and skilled professionals whose occupations are in demand locally.
Through two targeted immigration streams, Manitoba issued 67 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to eligible candidates seeking provincial nomination—a step toward permanent residency in Canada. This draw reinforces Manitoba’s strategy of retaining homegrown talent and sourcing skilled workers through strategic initiatives.
Also Read Manitoba Draw Targets International Graduates and Priority Occupation Workers
Breakdown of the July 10 Draw
The invitations were split between the International Education Stream (IES) and the Skilled Worker Stream (SWS). Here’s how the numbers unfolded:
| Stream | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
| International Education Stream | 40 | Not Applicable |
| Skilled Worker Stream | 27 | 673 |
Among the total 67 invited candidates, 29 had valid Express Entry profiles and included their job seeker validation codes—enhancing their eligibility through federal-provincial alignment.
Focus on Manitoba-Educated Talent
The International Education Stream welcomed 40 applicants who had recently completed master’s or doctoral programs in Manitoba. Specifically, candidates were assessed through the Graduate Internship Pathway (GIP). To qualify for this stream, candidates needed to:
- Graduate from a Manitoba university within the last three years;
- Complete an eligible Mitacs or Accelerate internship in the province;
- Reach a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7;
- Be a current Manitoba resident; and
- Submit a Career Employment Plan outlining their professional goals and potential contributions to the province’s economy.
This approach is designed to encourage international graduates to stay and grow their careers in Manitoba, addressing long-term talent retention.
Strategic Selection Through the Skilled Worker Stream
The remaining 27 LAAs were issued under the Skilled Worker Stream, targeting individuals selected through strategic recruitment initiatives. These initiatives enable Manitoba to directly engage with foreign workers who match the province’s labour market priorities.
To be invited, candidates needed a minimum score of 673, along with prior indication of interest in Manitoba’s recruitment efforts. The breakdown of invitations under this stream is as follows:
| Strategic Recruitment Initiative | LAAs Issued |
| Employer Services | 3 |
| Francophone Community | 2 |
| Regional Communities | 4 |
| Ethnocultural Communities | 18 |
These initiatives are tailored partnerships between Manitoba and employers or communities seeking specific skills. For instance, the Ethnocultural Communities initiative focuses on engaging candidates who have cultural ties and are likely to settle long-term in the province.
What Are Strategic Recruitment Initiatives?
Strategic recruitment initiatives are special programs that allow Manitoba employers and community stakeholders to recruit international candidates when local talent is unavailable. To participate, employers must meet certain recruitment process requirements and obtain provincial approval to submit candidate details for review.On the candidate side, factors like language proficiency, education, work experience, and age are assessed alongside Manitoba-specific criteria. However, applicants with stronger ties to other provinces may be flagged as potential retention risks, possibly affecting their eligibility.
Conclusion
Manitoba continues to fine-tune its immigration strategy to attract individuals who have a high likelihood of establishing roots in the province, either through education or employment. By focusing on international graduates and strategically selected workers, the MPNP is aligning immigration efforts with economic needs and long-term community growth.
The next rounds of invitations are expected to follow similar patterns, further strengthening Manitoba’s role as a leading destination for skilled newcomers in Canada.
