The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has announced a short-term suspension on new Employer Services application intake, effective from July 4, 2025. This pause is expected to last until August 5, 2025, after which normal application processes are scheduled to resume.
This move is part of Manitoba’s internal review and process enhancement initiative, aimed at strengthening the province’s ability to support employer-driven immigration pathways effectively.
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Who is Affected?
The pause specifically impacts foreign skilled workers whose employers planned to support their provincial nomination applications between July 4 and August 5, 2025. These candidates will need to delay their submissions until the application portal reopens on or after August 5.
It’s important to note that this temporary halt does not affect those whose applications were already submitted by their employers prior to the suspension date. These submissions will continue to be processed as usual.
Purpose of Employer Services Stream
The Employer Services pathway under the MPNP plays a critical role in helping Manitoba employers recruit and retain international talent in occupations facing local shortages. It acts as a bridge between Manitoba businesses and qualified foreign workers by facilitating employer-backed immigration nominations.
The stream is specifically designed to align with the province’s labour market needs, allowing foreign workers to obtain a provincial nomination—a key step toward permanent residency in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Workers
To qualify for nomination through the Employer Services stream, candidates—both in Canada and abroad—must meet a strict set of criteria, including:
- Age: Typically between 21 to 45 years, unless the employer specifies otherwise.
- Work Experience: At least two years of relevant employment experience in the past five years or other employer-defined expertise.
- Job Offer: A long-term, full-time job offer from a Manitoba employer, in line with the province’s wage and occupational standards.
- Language Proficiency:
- CLB 5 for occupations in TEER 0–3.
- CLB 4 for roles classified under TEER 4–5.
- CLB 5 for occupations in TEER 0–3.
- Education & Training: Post-secondary education or vocational training related to the occupation (as required by the job or employer).
- Licensing: If the role demands regulatory approval, applicants must obtain the appropriate Canadian licensure or certification before nomination.
The TEER system, under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC), segments jobs into six categories based on required training, education, experience, and responsibilities, with TEER 0 being the most skilled level.
Employer Requirements
Employers seeking to nominate foreign talent under the MPNP’s Employer Services must also meet specific eligibility conditions. These include demonstrating a legitimate need for international recruitment, maintaining good standing in Manitoba’s labor market, and offering jobs that meet the province’s standards for wages and working conditions.
Approved employers under this stream also play a pivotal role in influencing which overseas candidates are prioritized during the Invitation to Apply (ITA) process.
Looking Ahead
As Manitoba continues to evolve its immigration programming, the temporary suspension of Employer Services intake is expected to result in improved processing efficiencies and a better-aligned nomination framework for both employers and skilled workers.
Foreign nationals and employers are advised to stay informed via official government updates and to be ready to resume submissions once the stream reopens on August 5, 2025.
