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Manitoba Adjusts Temporary Resident Retention Pilot: 16 Skilled Trades Now Exempt from Sector Limits, Hospitality Removed from Eligibility
Published Date: February 13, 2026

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has updated the application guidelines for the Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP). This policy shift represents a dual approach: broadening support for critical technical trades by removing sector restrictions, while simultaneously narrowing the scope of general eligible sectors by excluding Hospitality and Food Services.

16 Skilled Trades No Longer Restricted by Sector

Prior to this adjustment, only employers within specific "eligible sectors" qualified to support employee work permit extensions. With the implementation of the new policy, Manitoba has introduced a "sector-exempt" mechanism. As long as an employee is working in one of the 16 designated skilled trades, employers in any sector are now eligible to support their TRRP application.

The 16 exempt occupations and their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes are as follows:

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

Hospitality and Food Services Removed from Eligible Sectors

While expanding exemptions for trades, Manitoba has restricted the list of standard eligible sectors. Hospitality and Food Services have been officially removed from the eligible list.

Currently, excluding the exempt occupations listed above, only employers belonging to the following sectors may submit TRRP applications:

  • Agriculture
  • Construction and Trades
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Food Processing
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing

According to the regulations, applications received from Hospitality and Food Services employers after February 4, 2026, will not be accepted, unless the sponsored employee is working in one of the 16 exempt occupations.

The TRRP Advantage: LMIA Exemption

The TRRP is a unique, employer-driven work permit program specific to Manitoba. Compared to the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), its primary advantage is that employers do not need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), nor are they required to advertise the position. This significantly streamlines the process, allowing eligible businesses to apply for work permit extensions for their existing employees in as little as 60 days.

Eligibility Criteria

To successfully renew a permit through the TRRP, both the employer and the foreign worker must meet strict eligibility standards.

1. Employer Eligibility

In addition to belonging to an eligible sector (or sponsoring an exempt occupation), employers must hold a valid Worker Recruitment and Protection Act (WRAPA) Certificate of Registration and demonstrate the following over the three years prior to applying:

  • Active ownership and operation of a non-home-based business in Manitoba;
  • Gross annual revenue of at least $350,000.

Note: Placement agencies (supplying workers only), businesses employing only owner-operators/independent contractors, businesses intending to sell within two years, and employers on the ESDC/Service Canada suspension list are ineligible. Furthermore, while employers meeting minimum requirements may apply, approval is not guaranteed as selection depends on Manitoba’s economic and immigration priorities.

2. Employee Eligibility

Foreign workers must meet the following personal criteria:

  • Age: 21–45 years old (unless the employer requests otherwise);
  • Status: Hold a valid work permit (expiring in <1 year) or be on maintained status, and currently reside in Manitoba;
  • Language: Minimum CLB 5 for TEER 0–3 roles; Minimum CLB 4 for TEER 4–5 roles;
  • Points: Meet a minimum of 60 points on the MPNP assessment grid;
  • Restrictions: Must not be endorsed by a Regional Immigration Initiative or be eligible under other temporary public policies for prospective PNP candidates.

3. Employment & Position Requirements

  • Tenure: The employee must have worked full-time for the approved employer for at least 18 months and possess an ongoing, long-term permanent job offer;
  • Residency: The employee must have spent more than 50% of their time in Canada residing in Manitoba (including time on visitor, study, and work permits);
  • Wages: Wages and working conditions must match those offered to citizens/PRs and be at least the median prevailing wage for the occupation in the region (per Job Bank data).

For employees in occupations classified as TEER 4 or 5 (lower-skilled roles) where the wage is below the regional median, the employer must provide additional support, including paying the worker’s work permit fees and providing reasonable access to settlement and integration assistance.

UNA's Observation:

This policy adjustment sends a clear signal that the Manitoba government is utilizing precise policy tools to prioritize the labor supply for critical infrastructure, maintenance, and industrial sectors. For applicants currently working in blue-collar trades such as automotive repair or heavy machinery in Manitoba, this is a significant advantage. However, for applicants in the hospitality and service sectors, the pathway to extending status through this specific pilot program has effectively narrowed.

Friendly reminder: There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada. We recommend first using UNA AI to generate an objective and neutral immigration plan, so you can gain an initial understanding of the possible immigration pathways and their requirements, and then choose to proceed with one-on-one consultations with a licensed Canadian immigration consultant partnered with UNA.
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