MPNP Expression of Interest Draw #278 — August 27, 2026
Manitoba Issues 741 Invitations in New PNP Draw, With Trades and Transport Workers Leading
Manitoba has conducted another major provincial immigration selection, inviting 741 candidates to move forward in the province’s nomination process. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held the selection round on August 27, 2026, with a strong focus on workers employed in technical trades and transportation-related occupations. The province also selected candidates from healthcare, French-speaking applicants, and targeted recruitment initiatives.
The latest draw highlights Manitoba’s continued use of occupation-focused immigration to address labour market needs while providing eligible foreign workers with a potential route toward Canadian permanent residence.
Key Highlights of the August 27 Manitoba Draw
The invitations were distributed among several groups rather than being issued through a single selection category.
| Selection group | Invitations issued | Key focus |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker in Manitoba – Occupation-specific | 600 | NOC major group 72 occupations |
| Skilled Worker in Manitoba – Targeted occupations | 62 | Healthcare and transportation |
| Francophone selection | 21 | French-language ability |
| Strategic recruitment initiatives | 58 | Candidates selected through MPNP recruitment activities |
| Total | 741 | — |
The largest portion of the draw went to workers whose employment falls under NOC major group 72, covering a wide range of technical trade and transportation occupations.
Also Check out Manitoba PNP Next Draw Prediction
Trades and Transportation Workers Receive the Majority of Invitations
Manitoba’s latest selection was particularly favourable for workers already employed in the province in eligible occupations.
A total of 600 invitations were issued to candidates working in occupations included under NOC major group 72. This occupational grouping covers various technical trade positions as well as transportation-related technical roles. Another 62 candidates were selected because their profiles showed employment in targeted occupations. These included:
- Bus drivers and transit operators – NOC 73301
- General practitioners and family physicians – NOC 31102
Together, occupation-focused selections accounted for the overwhelming majority of invitations in this draw. The results demonstrate that having experience in an occupation targeted by Manitoba can significantly influence selection under the province’s skilled worker pathway.
Who Could Receive an Invitation?
Candidates working in the separately targeted healthcare and transportation occupations were also considered through the occupation-specific selection. Those receiving an LAA must now prepare and submit their complete provincial nomination application within the required timeframe.
French-Speaking Candidates Also Selected
Manitoba continues to use its provincial immigration system to support French-speaking newcomers. In this draw, 21 candidates were invited under the Francophone selection.
Applicants selected through this route needed to have:
- Identified French as their language of communication with the MPNP;
- Provided valid French-language test results in their EOI profile.
French-speaking candidates represented approximately 2.8% of the total invitations issued during the selection round.
Strategic Recruitment Produces 58 Invitations
The MPNP also issued 58 invitations through strategic recruitment initiatives. These selections covered candidates in Manitoba and overseas who had received invitations through designated recruitment activities.
The invitations were distributed as follows:
| Recruitment initiative | Invitations |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 28 |
| Francophone Community | 16 |
| Regional Community | 7 |
| Ethnocultural Community | 4 |
| Temporary Public Policy for Prospective Provincial Nominees | 3 |
| Total | 58 |
The Employer Services initiative accounted for the largest number of invitations within this group, followed by the Francophone Community initiative.
Express Entry Candidates Included in the Draw
The Manitoba selection also included candidates who had an active Express Entry profile. Of the 741 people invited, 150 candidates had declared both a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code in their Manitoba EOI profile.
Receiving a Manitoba provincial nomination can provide an important advantage to an eligible Express Entry candidate because a provincial nomination can significantly increase their CRS score and strengthen their position for a federal permanent residence invitation. However, candidates must still meet the requirements of the applicable federal immigration process after receiving a provincial nomination. Rization to work in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Refused Nomination Applications
| Month | Applications Under Assessment or Pending |
|---|---|
| January | 95 |
| February | 38 |
| March | 35 |
| April | 95 |
| May | 55 |
| Total | 318 |
Skilled Worker – NB Graduates
- Graduation from a PGWP-eligible program at a New Brunswick DLI
- Full-time employment or a job offer from an eligible NB employer
Conclusion
The August 27 selection provides a clear indication of the occupations Manitoba is prioritizing through its provincial immigration system. Workers in technical trades, transportation, selected healthcare occupations and other targeted sectors may want to assess whether their employment and immigration profile align with Manitoba’s selection criteria.
French-speaking candidates and individuals connected with Manitoba’s strategic recruitment initiatives also formed part of the latest selection, showing that the province continues to use several channels to identify potential nominees.
For skilled workers planning to pursue Manitoba immigration, maintaining an accurate EOI profile and ensuring that employment, occupation and language information is properly documented can be important for future selection opportunities.
Source: immigratemanitoba.com/draws/
Recent News
- Manitoba PNP Draw #278
- British Columbia Gives Workers More Time to Register for New PR Pathway
- PEI Invites 181 Workers for Provincial Nomination
- Newfoundland and Labrador Issues 122 Provincial Nomination ITAs in Latest 2026 Draw
- British Columbia Issues 602 Invitations in Major Economic-Impact PNP Selection Round
