Manitoba issues 47 invitations in late-January MPNP draw
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has conducted its second immigration draw of 2026, inviting 47 candidates to apply for provincial nomination. The selection targeted skilled workers who had previously indicated participation in a strategic recruitment initiative within their Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles.
The draw, held on January 29, continues the province’s focus on attracting qualified professionals through its Skilled Worker streams, both within Manitoba and overseas.
- Total of 47 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) issued under the Skilled Worker stream
- Invitations distributed through five strategic recruitment initiatives
- Six candidates also held valid Express Entry profile numbers
- Employer Services initiative accounted for the largest share of invitations
- Manitoba has issued 102 LAAs across two draws in 2026
Details of the latest MPNP draw
Of the 47 invitations distributed, candidates were selected from both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas categories. All chosen profiles had identified having received a prior invitation through a strategic recruitment initiative coordinated by the MPNP.
The allocation of LAAs among recruitment initiatives was as follows: 24 through Employer Services, three for Francophone Community, four for Regional Communities, two for Ethnocultural Communities, and 14 under the Temporary Public Policy facilitating work permits for prospective provincial nominees.
According to the MPNP, six of the invited candidates also possessed an active Express Entry profile and a valid job seeker validation code, linking their provincial invitation to the federal immigration system.
Ongoing selection trends in 2026
This draw reflects Manitoba’s continued use of targeted recruitment to meet labour market needs. Both draws held in 2026 have prioritized candidates connected to the Employer Services initiative, which focuses on filling vacancies with skilled workers who have been recruited directly by Manitoba employers.
Since the beginning of the year, a combined total of 102 LAAs have been issued through the program. While some previous draws have included other streams such as the International Education Stream, the current trend shows an emphasis on candidates sourced through organized recruitment missions.
Eligibility and assessment process
The MPNP requires candidates invited through draw #263 to demonstrate that they are employed in a regulated occupation and fully licensed to work in Manitoba. The program reserves the right to refuse applications from individuals who cannot substantiate their eligibility or who are not actually working in the declared occupation.
Invited applicants are expected to provide documentation confirming the details submitted in their EOI profiles. All claims must be supported with evidence, and applications lacking verification may be declined. The MPNP application fee of CAD $500 is non-refundable once submitted.
Application submission timeline
Recipients of a Letter of Advice to Apply have 60 days from the date of issue to complete and submit a full application through the MPNP Online portal. Submissions are assessed based on the program criteria in place at the time of receipt. Applications must include all required documents, submitted in English or French, and formatted as either PDF or JPG files under two megabytes in size.
Documents originally written in another language must be accompanied by a notarized copy of the original and a certified translation by an accredited translator. Once all documents are uploaded and the application fee is paid, the MPNP provides an application file number within 48 hours of a successful transaction.
About the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is one of Canada’s longest-running provincial immigration pathways. It enables the province to nominate foreign nationals with skills and experience aligned to local economic needs. Successful nominees can then apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Through streams such as Skilled Worker in Manitoba, Skilled Worker Overseas, and the International Education Stream, the program aims to address workforce demands across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and services. Strategic recruitment initiatives are used to identify and invite qualified candidates who participate in information sessions or recruitment events organized by the province.
Context within Canada’s provincial nomination landscape
Manitoba’s approach mirrors broader trends across Canadian provinces using nominee programs to attract candidates with required labour skills. Each province operates its own criteria and selection schedule, but all programs share the goal of supporting regional economic growth and population renewal.
By linking provincial selection with the federal Express Entry system, Manitoba can nominate candidates for permanent residence through both base and enhanced nomination streams. This dual structure allows coordination with national immigration targets while ensuring responsiveness to local employment demands.
Public significance
Regular MPNP draws contribute to workforce stability in Manitoba by filling vacancies in key sectors and supporting economic expansion across regional communities. The focus on regulated occupations ensures that incoming workers meet licensing requirements before employment, aligning immigration selection with professional standards.
This latest draw underscores Manitoba’s ongoing commitment to strategic recruitment and highlights the role of provincial programs in reinforcing Canada’s broader immigration objectives.
Further updates on upcoming MPNP draws and provincial immigration trends are expected to be published as the year progresses, providing continued transparency into Manitoba’s selection process.