Manitoba Targets Strategic Talent in Latest Provincial Immigration Draw

Manitoba has continued its focused approach to economic immigration by issuing a new round of invitations under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

On December 18, 2025, the province invited 63 candidates through its Skilled Worker Stream, selecting individuals already working in Manitoba as well as skilled workers residing overseas. All invited candidates were selected through strategic recruitment initiatives directly managed by the MPNP.

Breakdown of Invitations Issued

The 63 Letters of Advice to Apply were distributed across four targeted recruitment initiatives, with a strong emphasis on francophone applicants and individuals contributing to Manitoba’s labour market:

• Employer Services: 10 invitations
• Francophone Community: 27 invitations
• Regional Communities: 5 invitations
• Temporary Public Policy (TPP) – Work Permit Facilitation: 21 invitations

Among the selected candidates, eight individuals declared an active Express Entry profile, making them eligible for enhanced nomination pathways.

Focus on Strategic Recruitment

This draw was not open to the general Expression of Interest pool. Instead, invitations were issued exclusively to candidates who had already received a direct invitation from the MPNP under one of its strategic recruitment initiatives.

These initiatives are designed to help the province address specific labour shortages and demographic priorities rather than relying solely on point-based rankings.

What Each Selection Category Represents

Each recruitment initiative reflects a different economic or workforce objective:

Employer Services
This pathway supports Manitoba employers who are seeking to retain skilled workers. Approved employers can endorse eligible employees for provincial nomination.

Francophone Community
Candidates in this category demonstrate French language proficiency that is equal to or stronger than their English skills, as verified through approved language testing. Manitoba continues to prioritize francophone immigration to support bilingual communities.

Regional Communities
This stream focuses on applicants who can help meet labour needs outside Winnipeg. Selection is done in collaboration with local employers, municipalities, and community partners.

Temporary Public Policy (TPP)
This category relates to a federal temporary public policy that allowed certain prospective provincial nominees to receive work permit support letters. Manitoba confirmed that it stopped accepting new support letter submissions after December 16, 2025.

Why Some Eligible Candidates May Not Have Been Selected

Manitoba noted that some candidates who otherwise met the selection criteria may not have received an invitation due to technical or documentation issues, including:

• Missing or expired language test results
• Failure to provide a valid strategic recruitment invitation number

Applicants are advised to carefully review their Expression of Interest profiles to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Manitoba’s Immigration Strategy Moving Forward

This latest draw reinforces Manitoba’s continued emphasis on employer-driven immigration, regional development, and francophone talent. As the province adjusts its programs to align with labour market realities and federal policy changes, strategic recruitment is expected to remain a key selection method going into 2026.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!