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Employer Services Update: Employer Direct Initiative & Temporary Resident Retention Pilot Launch

As of September 2, 2025, Employer Services has reopened applications intake for the newly renamed Employer Direct Initiative, featuring updated eligibility criteria and enhancements to the process and application forms.

The Temporary Resident Retention Pilot is designed to support Manitoba employers in retaining eligible temporary residents who are currently employed with them.

To learn more about the updated programming, access revised application forms, and find out how to apply, please visit: www.immigratemanitoba.com/employer-services.

Launch of “How to Apply to the MPNP” Video

The MPNP has produced a five-minute video that explains the application process in very simple terms. The video was produced with financial support from the Government of Canada under the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on French Language Services. Although primarily aimed at potential French-speaking immigrants, we have also produced a version with English subtitles. You can view the video below.

UPDATED: Employer Services Application Pause

The intake of new Employer Services applications has been paused as of July 4, 2025, with an anticipated reopen date on September 2, 2025.

New Employer Services applications will be accepted on September 2, 2025.

If you have any questions about your Employer Services application already submitted and in process, please send your questions to employerdirect@gov.mb.ca.

Temporary Technical Issues – Resolved

The technical issues announced on this website on June 30, 2025 have now been resolved.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Temporary Technical Issues

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) database is currently experiencing technical issues affecting some of its processes.

The technical team is aware and is working to fix the issue as quickly as possible.

Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates

Further to the April 15, 2025 news release regarding the Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates, Manitoba will accept applications as of April 22, 2025 for Support Letters under the temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective Provincial Nominee Program candidates, enabling eligible prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates whose work permits expired 2024 or 2025 or will expire in the next 45 days, to apply for a two-year Manitoba–specific work permit extension.   

Persons will only be able to apply for a Support Letter once their work permit has expired or will expire within the next 45 days.

Candidate Criteria

The temporary policy, which expires December 31, 2025, applies to prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates who meet one of the following scenarios:

  • Hold a valid work permit that will expire in 2025, or
  • Held a work permit valid on May 7, 2024 that has since expired and have submitted an application for a new work permit under section 200 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or
  • Held a work permit valid on May 7, 2024 that has since expired and have submitted an application for an extension of the authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or
  • Held a work permit valid on May 7, 2024 that has since expired and have submitted an application for restoration of temporary resident status under section 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or
  • Were authorized to work pursuant to paragraph 186 (u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations on May 7, 2024, and the work permit extension application remains pending or was approved, and have submitted an application for a new work permit under section 200 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or
  • Were authorized to work pursuant to paragraph 186 (u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations on May 7, 2024, and the work permit extension application remains pending or was approved, and have submitted an application for an extension of the authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

In addition to the criteria listed above, all candidates who apply for consideration under this temporary public policy must also demonstrate that they meet all the following conditions:

  • They had a valid Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Expression of Interest profile on January 15, 2025, and have a valid Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Expression of Interest profile at the time of this application
  • They were residing in Manitoba prior to January 15, 2025 and have continuously remained residing in Manitoba
  • They are currently employed in Manitoba with a Manitoba employer that is willing to provide a letter of employment*.
  • They are intending to establish in Manitoba as a permanent resident.

How to Apply for Consideration under the Temporary Public Policy

Persons who meet the above listed criteria may apply for a Support Letter from Manitoba by completing an online submission form that will be available as of April 22, 2025.

To be considered for a Support Letter, candidates must provide all of the following documents in their submission (incomplete applications will not be approved):

  • A letter of employment from their current employer*, and
  • A copy of their current work permit, proof of authorization to work, or proof they had a valid work permit as of May 7, 2024, and have since applied for restoration of their temporary resident status under section 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
  • A copy of their Expression of Interest profile.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will accept applications under this temporary policy until December 31, 2025. However, Manitoba reserves the right to limit the number of support letters it will issue.

Starting April 22, 2025, eligible prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates may apply for a Support Letter from Manitoba online at https://twpe.gov.mb.ca/en-US/.

*If candidates had a valid work permit as of May 7, 2024, and have since applied for restoration of their temporary resident status under section 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, they must provide a valid job offer from their Manitoba employer.

Please click here to link to a FAQ page.

Destination Canada Mobility Forum 2025

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, along with the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) and Acceuil Francophone, will be participating in the upcoming Government of Canada’s Destination Canada Mobility Forum, a recruitment fair for bilingual skilled workers in Paris, France on February 14 and 15, 2025 and in the virtual version from March 3rd to 5th.

Every year, the Canadian government organizes this event to connect Canadian employers in predominantly anglophone provinces with skilled bilingual candidates from a variety of industries.

To learn more about the Destination Canada Mobility Forum, please click here.

Update to Extension of the Public Policy – Open Work Permit for Foreign Workers with a Support Letter from a Province or Territory

On January 21, 2025, the MPNP published that IRCC had extended this public policy until December 31, 2025. This policy update for Manitoba has not yet been finalized and the link to IRCC’s policy published in our announcement on January 21, is no longer valid. Details are still being completed and any updates will be posted on this page as soon as they become available.

In the interim, please remember it is a temporary resident’s responsibility to ensure that their immigration status in Canada remains valid and legal.  You may visit IRCC’s website for more information – Temporary Residents – Canada.ca.

Extension of the Public Policy – Open Work Permit for Foreign Workers with a Support Letter from a Province or Territory

Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada has extended this public policy until December 31, 2025. The details of this extended federal public policy for Manitoba and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program are still being finalized and any updates will be posted on this page.

In the interim, please remember it is a temporary resident’s responsibility to ensure that their immigration status in Canada remains valid and legal.  You may visit IRCC’s website for more information – Temporary Residents – Canada.ca.

Conclusion of the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates

Manitoba will continue to accept applications under the Temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective Provincial Nominee Program candidates until Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST. As of December 19, 2024, the online submission form will be closed, and new Support Letter applications will not be accepted.

Persons who meet eligibility criteria may apply for a Support Letter from Manitoba by completing the online submission form prior to December 19, 2024.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept applications under this temporary policy until December 31, 2024.

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