Manitoba PNP Draw Opens Doors for Skilled Workers Now

Manitoba has officially launched its first Provincial Nominee Program draw of 2026, inviting skilled workers through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Skilled Worker Stream. The draw took place on January 15 and focused on candidates who had received a direct invitation from the province as part of a strategic recruitment mission.

This latest Manitoba PNP draw reflects the province’s continued focus on targeted immigration to address labour shortages and regional workforce needs.

Draw Results and Invitation Breakdown In EOI Draw #262 , Manitoba issued a total of 55 Letters of Advice to Apply. Candidates were selected under two main pathways within the Skilled Worker Stream: Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas.

Eligibility for this draw required candidates to declare in their Expression of Interest profile that they had been invited by the province under a recognized strategic recruitment initiative.

The 55 invitations were distributed as follows:

Employer Services: 21 Francophone Community: 7 Regional Communities: 15 Ethnocultural Communities: 9 Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates: 3

Approximately 38 percent of all invitations were issued under the Employer Services initiative, highlighting Manitoba’s emphasis on employer driven recruitment to fill urgent labour gaps.

Among the total invitations, 10 were issued to candidates with valid Express Entry profiles and job seeker validation codes, reinforcing Manitoba’s alignment with federal immigration systems.

Comparison With Previous Draw Activity This opening draw of 2026 was smaller compared to Manitoba’s first draw of 2025, which saw 197 invitations issued under EOI Draw #236 on January 9. The reduced number suggests a more targeted or cautious approach at the start of the year, possibly reflecting broader federal immigration recalibrations and provincial labour market planning.

For skilled workers monitoring provincial nomination trends, this signals the importance of staying prepared with updated documentation and valid credentials.

Why Some Candidates May Not Have Received an Invitation The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program clarified that candidates who met basic selection criteria but did not receive a Letter of Advice to Apply may have encountered one of several common issues.

These include failing to provide a valid language test number despite claiming completion of an approved English or French exam, submitting expired language test results, or entering an invalid strategic recruitment invitation number in the Expression of Interest system.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review their EOI profiles carefully to ensure all details are accurate, current, and verifiable. Even minor discrepancies can prevent selection in highly competitive draws.

What This Means for Skilled Workers Manitoba continues to prioritize candidates with strong labour market connections, employer support, and community ties. Strategic recruitment initiatives such as Employer Services and Francophone Community outreach demonstrate the province’s targeted approach to economic immigration.

For skilled workers, this means that establishing employment connections in Manitoba or participating in recognized recruitment missions can significantly improve selection chances. Maintaining valid language test scores, ensuring Express Entry profiles remain active, and verifying all documentation are critical steps for success.

As Canada adjusts overall immigration levels and temporary resident policies, provincial nominee programs like Manitoba’s remain essential pathways for permanent residence. Skilled workers seeking long term settlement in Canada should closely monitor provincial draw updates and align their profiles with Manitoba’s evolving labour priorities.