Manitoba expands work permit options: 16 occupations now exempt from sector requirements

Manitoba employers in all sectors can now support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled trades professions, under Manitoba’s Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP).

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Sector-exempt occupations

Occupation title	NOC code
Agricultural Equipment Technician	72401
Auto Body and Collision Technician	73202
Automotive Refinishing Technician	73202
Automotive Service Technician	72410
Boilermaker	72304
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician	72401
Instrumentation and Control Technician	72201
Landscape Horticulturalist	22114
Parts Technician	72410
Recreation Vehicle Service Technician	72410
Transport Trailer Technician	72410
Truck and Transport Mechanic	72410
Aircraft Maintenance Journeyperson	72404
Diesel Engine Mechanic	72410
Railway Car Technician	72403
Water and Wastewater Technician	22101

Prior to this change, employers had to be in one of the eligible sectors in order to support work permit extensions, regardless of the employee’s occupation.

Manitoba has also removed Hospitality and Food Services from the list of eligible sectors, so the eligible sectors are now limited to

Agriculture;
Construction and trades;
Information Technology;
Food processing;
Education;
Healthcare; and
Manufacturing.

Applications from Hospitality and Food services employers received after February 4, 2026 will not be accepted, unless for an exempt occupation.

The TRRP is an employer-driven work permit program. Under the TRRP, businesses can support their employees’ work permit extensions by applying on their behalf in as little as 60 days.

The TRRP does not require employers to advertise the position or to obtain a labour market impact assessment (LMIA), making TRRP work permits more accessible than those issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Who can apply under the TRRP?

Both employers and employees must meet eligibility criteria to be able to seek work permits through the TRRP.

Employer eligibility

In addition to meeting the sector requirement (unless exempt), employers must hold a valid WRAPA Certificate of registration, and must demonstrate the following over the past three years prior to applying:

Active ownership and operation of a non-home-based business in Manitoba;
At least $350,000 gross annual revenue; and
A Employers must (among other critieria):

The following employers are ineligible:

Placement agencies that only supply workers to other businesses as needed.
Businesses that only contract/employ owner-operators, self-employed workers, or independent contractors.
Businesses intending to sell all/part of the business within 2 years.
Employers on the ESDC/Service Canada suspension list.
Employers fined for violations under the TFWP or International Mobility Program (IMP).

Eligible employers that meet the minimum requirements may apply to retain an existing temporary resident employee

Approval is not guaranteed. Selection depends on Manitoba’s economic/immigration priorities.

Employee criteria

To be eligible under the TRRP, foreign workers must

Be aged: 21–45 (unless the employer requests otherwise).
Hold a work permit: valid, expiring in < 1 year from the pilot application date, or be on maintained status.
Be currently residing in Manitoba.
Meet language proficiency criteria: minimum CLB 5 for TEER 0–3; minimum CLB 4 for TEER 4–5 (each skill area per CLB grid).
Meet the minimum 60 points on the MPNP assessment grid (Points Assessment page).
Not be eligible under the “Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective PNP Candidates.”
Not be endorsed by a Regional Immigration Initiative.

Employment criteria (for the worker/position)

The employee must have worked full-time for the approved employer for at least 18 months and must have an ongoing, long-term, permanent job offer.
The employee must have spent more than 50% of their time in Canada in Manitoba (including time on visitor, study, and work permits).
Wages/conditions must match those offered to citizens/PRs in similar roles and be at least the median prevailing wage for the occupation/region (per NOC; Job Bank trend analysis).
If the occupation requires licensure/certification, the candidate must apply to the regulatory body for assessment and/or exams.

Additionally, if the worker is an occupation classified as TEER 4 or 5 under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC), and their wage is below the regional median, then the employer must consider additional supports, including

Paying the fees for the worker’s work permit; and
Providing reasonable access to help with settlement and integration.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Cohen Immigration Law