Manitoba PNP Draw Released for PR Applicants in December
Manitoba Begins December With Its Largest Targeted PNP Draw in Months
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) launched in December with a substantial selection round, issuing nearly 185 invitations to candidates positioned both within the province and abroad. The draw, held on December 5, 2025, continues Manitoba’s steady reliance on targeted recruitment efforts as the primary driver of provincial nominations this year.
Overview of the December 5 MPNP Draw
In its first round of invitations for December, Manitoba issued 184 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under its Skilled Worker Stream, with candidates considered from the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas categories. This is the largest draw since October 9, 2025, signalling Manitoba’s ongoing push to bring in candidates who can integrate quickly into its labour market.
Breakdown of Invitations
LAAs Issued by Strategic Recruitment Initiative
| Strategic Initiative | Number of LAAs |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 10 |
| Francophone Community | 20 |
| Regional Communities | 21 |
| Ethnocultural Communities | 7 |
| Temporary Public Policy (TPP) for Open Work Permits | 126 |
The largest share – 126 invitations – went to candidates eligible under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), a special program enabling prospective provincial nominees in Manitoba or the Yukon to apply for an open work permit (OWP). Additionally, 61 of the 184 LAAs were issued to individuals who confirmed a valid Express Entry profile and job seeker code.
Temporary Public Policy: Key Deadlines Approach
The federal temporary public policy that allows provincial nominees to secure a two-year open work permit is nearing its expiry date. To participate, candidates must obtain a Manitoba Support Letter, which the province will continue issuing until December 16, 2025, at 12:59 a.m. EDT. Once the support letter is issued, applicants must file their open work permit applications with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) no later than December 31, 2025, when the policy officially concludes.
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.
Why Some Eligible Candidates Did Not Receive an Invitation
- Outdated or incorrectly recorded language test results
- Claiming participation in a recruitment mission but failing to include a valid invitation number
These omissions can automatically prevent an EOI from progressing to the invitation stage.
Understanding Manitoba’s Strategic Recruitment Approach
Strategic recruitment initiatives enable Manitoba employers to proactively identify and hire skilled international talent for hard-to-fill roles. These missions may be conducted domestically within Canada or internationally, depending on labour market needs.
Candidates are evaluated on several core factors, including:
- Language ability
- Work experience and professional background
- Educational qualifications
- Age and adaptability
- Stream-specific requirements
However, if an applicant shows strong ties to another Canadian province – such as past employment or studies – Manitoba may consider them at risk of leaving the province. Such cases can lead to refusals from either the employer or the MPNP.
A Continued Focus on Long-Term Immigration Strategy
The December 5 draw reinforces Manitoba’s commitment to selecting candidates who are already aligned with provincial labour needs and demonstrate a strong intent to settle in the province permanently. With the ongoing reliance on recruitment-driven invitations, Manitoba is shaping its nominee pool around employers’ immediate workforce shortages and long-term economic objectives.
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.
A Continued Focus on Long-Term Immigration Strategy
Recent News
- Ontario Restarts OINP Selections With Over 2,000 Invitations Issued in Two Days
- IRCC Launches December’s First Targeted Express Entry Draw for Healthcare Professionals
- Canada Holds Largest CEC Express Entry Draw in Over a Year as 6,000 ITAs Issued
- IRCC Introduces New Express Entry Category and Faster PR Pathways for International Doctors
- IRCC Launches December With Its Largest PNP Express Entry Draw of 2025
