News

The Manitoba government is now accepting applications under the Newcomer Community Integration Support (NCIS) Program – Manitoba Settlement Support Services (MSSS). MSSS provides funding to service providers to support them in enhancing settlement and integration services and programs that facilitate the social and economic integration of newcomers in Manitoba.

For information on how to apply, please visit the NCIS web page. The submission deadline for applications is Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. CST.

We have created a Frequently Asked Questions page to help answer questions about the temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective MPNP candidates. Please click here for more information.

Further to the September 4, 2024, news release regarding the Temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective Provincial Nominee Program candidates, Manitoba will accept applications as of Wednesday, September 18, 2024, for Support Letters enabling eligible prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates whose work permits expire/expired in 2024 to apply for a two-year Manitoba-specific work permit extension.

Candidate Criteria

The temporary policy, which expires December 31, 2024, applies to prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates who meet one of the following scenarios:

• Hold a valid work permit that will expire in 2024, 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 May 10, 2024, 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 May 10, 2024 and have continuously remained residing in Manitoba

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 Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

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 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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will accept applications under this temporary policy until December 31, 2024. Manitoba will prioritize applications for Support Letters submitted by persons whose work permits have expired or will expire within the next 45 days.

Eligible prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates may apply for a Support Letter from Manitoba online at: https://mbeoi2024.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.

The Manitoba government is retaining skilled labour by supporting the extensions of work permits for temporary residents who are eligible to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino announced today. 

“At a time when skilled labour is in high demand, our government is making sure that people who are already in the province, who have contributed economically and who have expressed a desire to call Manitoba home are given that opportunity,” said Marcelino. “Our government’s agreement with our federal counterparts facilitates a pathway to citizenship and will help address labour market needs in Manitoba.” 

On Aug. 21, the province signed a letter of intent with the federal government that will allow for eligible candidates identified under the province’s provincial nominee program to apply to extend their work permits. 

This means up to 6,700 temporary workers identified by Manitoba will be able to continue working in the province while their applications to the MPNP are processed, noted the minister. Within two years, it is expected the individuals will be eligible to receive a nomination from the provincial nominee program, said Marcelino. 

To support and facilitate the timely processing of applications under the provincial nominee program, including fulfilling the operational and reporting requirements of applicants under the new public policy, the government is adding five temporary full-time equivalent positions.   

The positions will support the program throughout the 2024-25 fiscal year to:

• expedite the processing of applications for individuals whose status in Canada is expiring, and
• ensure the full utilization of the 2024 allocation of 9,500 nominees as quickly as possible.

Please check this website for further details about this policy.

To view the official news release, please click here.

On May 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a temporary public policy to help address Manitoba’s labour market needs and enable post-graduation work permit holders to maintain ongoing employment in the province.

This temporary public policy allows post-graduation work permit holders employed in Manitoba with work permits expiring in 2024, who are eligible to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) and who have submitted a valid MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile prior to May 10, 2024, to be eligible to apply for a province-specific open work permit that will be valid for up to two years.

Additional details regarding this temporary public policy and associated processes will be available soon on this page.

In response to the challenges post-graduation work permit holders and other temporary residents are facing, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program will temporarily prioritize assessments of submitted MPNP applications with expired or expiring work permits. MPNP applicants whose work permits have expired or are expiring within the next 45 days are asked to inform the MPNP by using the Skilled Worker Webform.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the MPNP with accurate, up-to-date information and to notify the program of any changes to their application or status in Canada.

It is also the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their immigration status in Canada remains valid. Please see the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada website for further information.

As the federal government’s Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program ended on March 31, 2024, a number of immigration-related measures put in place by the Government of Manitoba will also conclude.

The following special measures will conclude April 30, 2024:

1. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Ukraine Special Measures Expression of Interest (EOI) draws
   • Ukrainian nationals who meet MPNP eligibility criteria will continue to be able to submit their EOI applications and be eligible for regular EOI draws.
2. MPNP application fee refunds
   • Those with Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA) issued prior to May 1, 2024, will still be eligible to receive the application fee refund after the complete MPNP application is submitted.
3. Immigration information appointments at the Reception Centre

For additional information, please visit our FAQ page.

Please note that due to the high volume of MPNP applications, processing commitments are exceeding six months from application submission date. If additional information is needed, the MPNP will contact you using the email and/or phone number that is provided on your application.