Manitoba invites skilled workers in-Canada and abroad, in first draw of the month

author avatar
Asheesh Moosapeta
Published: February 15, 2026

This week, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) for provincial nomination through both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas pathways.

The province invited candidates through both of these pathways, based on their inclusion in current strategic recruitment initiatives.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry-linked PNP streams

Draw results

On February 12, the MPNP issued 29 LAAs to candidates through both its skilled worker pathways. LAAs issued varied based on the specific strategic initiative under which candidates were invited:

Strategic Recruitment Initiative Number of invitations issued 
Employer Services 
Francophone Community 14 
Regional Communities 
Ethnocultural Communities 
Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates (TPP) 

Of the 29 LAAs issued, six were given to candidates who had declared valid Express Entry profiles.

What are strategic recruitment initiatives?

Strategic recruitment initiatives are special recruitment schemes used by the MPNP to aid employers in Manitoba with hiring to fill labour shortages in the province.

These initiatives are designed for employers who can demonstrate that they have an immediate and ongoing need for certain kinds of qualified workers that cannot be met within Manitoba’s local labour market.

How can I be included in a strategic recruitment initiative?

Manitoba typically recruits candidates through recruitment initiatives after either an exploratory visit (where potential MPNP candidates visit Manitoba to better understand life there) or through one of the recruitment missions that the MPNP conducts regularly. More information on enrolling in one of these events can be found on the MPNP’s website.

Invitations given to candidates to apply to the MPNP are usually delivered after an interview with an immigration officer conducted on either an exploratory visit or a recruitment mission.

To be eligible to be included in a visit or mission, foreign nationals must:

  • Be 21–45 (exceptions may be requested by the employer)
  • Have the required post-secondary education (or qualifying on-the-job training in some pilots)
  • Have at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience in the past 5 years
  • Meet minimum language levels: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for TEER 0–3 level occupations or CLB 4, or TEER 4–5 level occupations.

Preference may be given to candidates planning to live outside the Winnipeg area, and strong ties to other provinces can be viewed as a retention risk.

After receiving an invitation, candidates must then meet eligibility criteria and submit a candidate profile to the MPNP through the Skilled Worker Overseas stream. As part of this process, candidates must show both an intent and an ability to settle in Manitoba.

After submitting a candidate profile, foreign nationals must first be chosen in an immigration selection and receive an LAA before they can submit an application to be nominated by Manitoba.

If their application for provincial nomination is successful, they will receive a nomination certificate, and if applicable, an additional 600 points on their Express Entry profile.

Successful nominees must then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry-linked PNP streams

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