Manitoba has once again extended invitations to skilled workers residing outside of Canada to apply for a provincial nomination, reaffirming its commitment to addressing labor market needs through immigration.

On May 29, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted a draw under its Skilled Worker Overseas stream. A total of 30 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued to candidates, inviting them to seek a provincial nomination which can significantly strengthen their application for Canadian permanent residence.

To be eligible for this specific draw, candidates were required to meet two primary criteria:

• Achieve a minimum score of 606 based on the MPNP’s unique points-based assessment system.
• Have been invited to submit a candidate profile to the MPNP through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.

Among the 30 LAAs issued, five were directed to candidates who also possessed an active Express Entry profile and a valid Job Seeker Validation Code, highlighting the MPNP's synergy with the federal immigration system.

The MPNP provided clarification for candidates who may have scored above the cut-off but did not receive an LAA. Potential reasons include:

• Indicating completion of an approved third-party language test but failing to provide a valid test number in their Expression of Interest (EOI), or the test results having expired by the draw date.
• Indicating an invitation to submit a candidate profile via a Strategic Recruitment Initiative but not providing a valid invitation number in their EOI.

Strategic Recruitment Initiatives are described as special, employer-led processes. These allow Manitoba employers to directly nominate foreign individuals who possess work experience and critical skills that are in short supply within the province. Such initiatives serve a dual purpose: enabling employers to fill persistent labor gaps and providing foreign nationals with a viable pathway to permanent residence.

Looking at the MPNP's activity in 2025, the program, like other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada, has seen its provincial nomination allocation reduced compared to previous years. This is a direct consequence of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) decision to lower the cumulative landing targets for PNPs in 2025.

For the current year, Manitoba’s provincial allocation stands at 4,750 nomination spots. Based on monthly data published on the MPNP’s official website, the program has already issued 1,840 nominations as of its latest update in 2025.

This implies that over the remaining seven months of the year, the MPNP is likely to issue approximately 2,910 more nominations, based on its current allocation. However, it is important to note that some provinces have reportedly been successful in negotiating with the federal government to increase their provincial allocations to levels more consistent with previous years, suggesting potential flexibility in these figures.