Manitoba opens 2026 immigration selections with targeted Skilled Worker invitations and new PR opportunities.
Manitoba Launches 2026 Immigration Selections with Targeted Skilled Worker Invitations
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its first draw of the year in mid-January, signalling a more selective and employer-driven approach to provincial nominations compared to previous years.
First MPNP Draw of 2026 Focuses on Strategic Recruitment
The inaugural draw of 2026 was held on January 15, with invitations issued exclusively under Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Stream. Unlike general draws that consider a broad pool of candidates, this round was limited to applicants who had received direct invitations from the province through designated strategic recruitment initiatives.
Only candidates who explicitly declared this provincial invitation in their Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles were considered for selection.
Total Invitations Issued Remain Modest
In this draw, Manitoba issued 55 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs). These letters allow candidates to proceed with submitting a full provincial nomination application. The selected candidates came from both Skilled Worker pathways:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba
- Skilled Worker Overseas
This relatively small number suggests a cautious start to the year, likely reflecting Manitoba’s evolving labour market needs and nomination targets for 2026.
Employer-Led Recruitment Dominates the Draw
The distribution of invitations across recruitment categories was as follows:
- Employer Services: 21 invitations
- Regional Communities: 15 invitations
- Ethnocultural Communities: 9 invitations
- Francophone Community: 7 invitations
- Temporary Public Policy (TPP) for Work Permit Facilitation: 3 invitations
This breakdown shows Manitoba’s balanced focus on employer demand, regional workforce development, community-based immigration, and French-language talent.
Express Entry Candidates Also Benefit
Among the selected candidates, 10 individuals had active Express Entry profiles and provided valid job seeker validation codes. These applicants may be eligible for enhanced provincial nominations, which can significantly increase their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores and improve their chances of receiving permanent residence invitations from the federal government.
Slower Start Compared to Previous Years
The reduced number of invitations this year may indicate:
- Tighter nomination caps
- Greater emphasis on job-matched candidates
- A shift toward targeted, sector-specific recruitment
Why Eligible Candidates May Have Been Missed
- Missing or expired English or French language test results
- Incorrect or invalid language test identification numbers
- Errors in entering strategic recruitment invitation numbers
Sharp Decline in Temporary Resident Admissions
In a major policy shift, the federal government has announced plans to substantially reduce the number of temporary resident admissions beginning in 2026:
| Category | 2025 Target | 2026 Target | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Temporary Residents | 673,650 | 385,000 | ↓ 43% |
| International Students | 305,900 | 155,000 | ↓ 49% |
| Temporary Foreign Workers | 367,750 | 230,000 | ↓ 37% |
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
Manitoba Draw Results by Recruitment Category
| Recruitment Category | LAAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Employer Services | 10 |
| Francophone Community | 27 |
| Regional Communities | 5 |
| Temporary Public Policy (TPP) | 21 |
The largest share of invitations went to Francophone candidates and individuals supported under Manitoba’s temporary work permit facilitation policy.
*Want to apply for MPNP? Let the universal adviser guide you through the process.
What This Means for Prospective Immigrants
As the year progresses, additional draws are expected, potentially with expanded invitation numbers depending on labour demand and provincial immigration targets.
Recent News
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- Big Updates Coming to Canada’s LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program 2026 : 6,403 Nominations and Priority Sectors
- New Express Entry CEC Draw Lowers CRS Score as 6,000 ITAs Issued
