Manitoba Issues Final Call for PNP Candidates Seeking Two-Year Open Work Permits
Manitoba Makes Final Appeal to PNP Applicants for Two-Year Open Work Permits
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has announced a final deadline for provincial candidates who wish to secure a special two-year open work permit under a temporary federal policy. Applicants whose work permits have already expired or will expire soon have until December 16, 2025, at 12:59 a.m. EDT to request a Manitoba support letter—an essential document required before applying for the federal open work permit (OWP).
This announcement was published on the MPNP’s official website on December 4, 2025, marking the last opportunity for affected candidates to maintain their work authorization in Canada through this policy.
Overview of the Temporary Federal Policy
Canada’s Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates allows eligible PNP applicants to obtain a two-year OWP while they continue working in their nominating province. This measure was originally launched on August 11, 2024, and has since been extended, but is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025, with no confirmed plans for another extension.
Who Can Request a Manitoba Support Letter?
Manitoba’s Provincial Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that:
- They had an active MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile on January 15, 2025, and that profile continues to remain valid.
- Their work permit expired in 2024 or 2025, or is set to expire sometime in 2025.
- They have lived continuously in Manitoba since before January 15, 2025.
- They are currently employed in Manitoba and can provide a valid employment letter from their employer.
Federal Eligibility Conditions
1. They hold a work permit that expires in 2025
2. They had a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, which has since expired, and have applied for:
- An extension of work authorization
- Temporary resident status,
- Restoration of status,
Applications tied to these conditions must be either approved or still in process. The MPNP’s online submission portal will stop accepting requests for support letters at 1:00 a.m. EDT on December 16, 2025.
Skilled Worker Stream: Employer-Driven and Strategic Recruitment Invitations
Another 279 letters of invitation were given to applicants who had received direct invitations from the MPNP within the Skilled Worker in Manitoba or Skilled Worker Overseas streams. The initiatives are customized vehicles to connect Manitoba employers, international skilled-in-demand communities.
| Strategic Recruitment Initiative | LAAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 45 |
| Francophone Community | 43 |
| Regional Communities | 8 |
| Ethnocultural Communities | 3 |
| Temporary Public Policy (TPP) | 180 |
Documents Required When Requesting a Support Letter
- A copy of their active EOI profile
- A current employment letter
- One of the following:
- A valid work permit,
- Evidence of authorisation to work
- Proof that they held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, along with documentation showing an application for restoration of status or temporary residence.
Applying for the Two-Year Open Work Permit
Once the Manitoba support letter is approved, candidates can file their OWP application through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The process must be completed via the IRCC Secure Account.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
1. Review IRCC Guide 5553
2. Sign in to the IRCC Secure Account
A personalised document checklist will be generated once the eligibility questionnaire is completed.
3. Select the Correct Eligibility Scenario
When asked whether any of the listed conditions apply, candidates must choose the scenario that states: “I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.”
4. Fill in the Application Form
- Under Box 1, choose Open Work Permit.
- Under Box 4 (Job title and brief duties), enter: MBEOI2024 for both fields.
5. Upload Required Documents
Applicants must include the following items in addition to the documents listed in their personalised checklist:
- Passport copy
- IMM 5705 Family Information Form
- Recent digital photo
- Manitoba support letter
- Copy of current work permit (if applicable)
- Employer letter confirming current employment
6. Pay the Required Fees
- $155 for the work permit
- $100 OWP holder fee
- $246.25 restoration fee (if applicable)
Applicants should keep a copy of the receipt.
7. Submit the Application
All applications under this temporary public policy must be submitted before December 31, 2025, when the federal policy ends.
Temporary Residence Applications
Visas for Visitors Abroad (TRV)
- India: Increased sharply from 28 to 58 days.
- Pakistan: Increased from 36 to 48 days.
- Nigeria: Down from 56 days to 32 days.
- Philippines: Shortened from 33 to 20 days.
- United States: Slight rise from 21 to 23 days.
Metro Areas Now Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIA Applications
The following Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) now fall under the exclusion list due to jobless rates exceeding the 6% threshold:
| Family Size | Minimum Required Funds (Annual) |
|---|---|
| 1 person (student only) | CAD $22,895 |
| 2 people | CAD $28,502 |
| 3 people | CAD $35,040 |
| 4 people | CAD $42,543 |
| 5 people | CAD $48,252 |
| 6 people | CAD $54,420 |
| 7 people | CAD $60,589 |
| Additional family member | CAD $6,170 |
These figures represent a significant increase from the earlier requirement of CAD $20,635 for a single applicant, which had been in effect since January 1, 2024.
Why This Deadline Matters
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