Manitoba expands work permit support to 16 trades

Manitoba has broadened eligibility under its Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP), allowing employers in any industry to support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled trade occupations.

The update removes previous sector restrictions, enabling more businesses to retain internationally trained employees while addressing labour shortages in key technical fields.

The change is effective immediately and forms part of the province’s workforce retention strategy for temporary residents.

Employers across all sectors can now back work permit extensions for 16 skilled trades.
Hospitality and food services are no longer eligible sectors under the TRRP.
The program eliminates the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Applications from removed sectors will not be accepted after February 4, 2026.
The update aligns with Manitoba’s economic and immigration priorities.

Overview of the Temporary Resident Retention Pilot

The TRRP is an employer-driven initiative that enables Manitoba businesses to extend the work authorization of temporary foreign workers employed within the province. Employers can apply on behalf of eligible workers, often securing approval within approximately two months.

The program operates outside the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program and does not require employers to post job advertisements or secure an LMIA, streamlining the process for both parties.

Sector and occupation eligibility

Previously, only employers within specific sectors could support TRRP applications. As of the latest update, this restriction has been lifted for 16 designated skilled trades, listed below:

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

Employers in hospitality and food services are no longer eligible for TRRP participation unless they employ workers in one of the newly exempt occupations. Applications from ineligible sectors submitted after February 4, 2026, will not be processed.

Eligible sectors still recognized under TRRP

The program continues to accept applications from seven designated industries: agriculture, construction and trades, information technology, food processing, education, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Employer eligibility requirements

Employers must maintain an active, non-home-based business in Manitoba and hold a valid WRAPA Certificate of Registration. Over the three years preceding the application, they must demonstrate at least $350,000 in annual gross revenue and continuous operation within the province.

Employers are not eligible if they act solely as labour placement agencies, contract only with independent contractors, plan to sell part or all of their business within two years, or are listed on the federal suspension registry. Those fined for violations under federal immigration programs are also excluded.

Approval under the TRRP is not automatic and is contingent on Manitoba’s current economic and immigration objectives.

Worker eligibility criteria

Foreign workers applying through the TRRP must be between 21 and 45 years old, reside in Manitoba, and hold a valid or recently expired work permit under maintained status. Applicants also need to achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 for TEER 0–3 occupations or CLB 4 for TEER 4–5 roles.

To qualify, candidates must score at least 60 points on the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program assessment grid. Workers who already qualify under other temporary public policies or regional immigration pathways are not eligible for the TRRP.

Employment and wage requirements

Applicants must have completed at least 18 months of full-time work for the sponsoring employer and possess a permanent, ongoing job offer. More than half of the worker’s time in Canada must have been spent in Manitoba. Wage levels must meet or exceed the provincial median for the corresponding occupation and region, consistent with standards for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Where jobs fall under TEER categories 4 or 5 and pay below the median wage, employers must provide additional support, such as covering work permit fees and offering settlement assistance.

Program relevance

The expansion of eligible occupations under the TRRP supports Manitoba’s efforts to retain experienced tradespeople and stabilize its skilled workforce. By removing sector restrictions, the province aims to facilitate long-term employment for temporary residents already contributing to its economy.

The initiative complements other provincial programs designed to transition foreign workers to permanent residence, while maintaining consistency with national labour and immigration objectives.

Readers can explore additional updates and analytical coverage on Manitoba’s evolving immigration and labour retention policies within this section.