Manitoba Work Permit Update: 16 Jobs Now Exempt from Rules

Manitoba work permit extensions are now available for workers in 16 skilled trades professions, thanks to the province's Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP). This significant development allows employers across various sectors to support their employees' work permit applications more efficiently.

Occupation Title NOC Code Agricultural Equipment Technician 72401 Auto Body and Collision Technician 73202 Automotive Refinishing Technician 73202 Automotive Service Technician 72410 Boilermaker 72304 Heavy Duty Equipment Technician 72401 Instrumentation and Control Technician 72201 Landscape Horticulturalist 22114 Parts Technician 72410 Recreation Vehicle Service Technician 72410 Transport Trailer Technician 72410 Truck and Transport Mechanic 72410 Aircraft Maintenance Journeyperson 72404 Diesel Engine Mechanic 72410 Railway Car Technician 72403 Water and Wastewater Technician 22101

Previously, employers could only extend work permits if they were involved in one of the designated sectors, irrespective of the worker's occupation. Notably, the Hospitality and Food Services sector has been excluded from the list of eligible sectors. Currently, eligible sectors are limited to Agriculture, Construction and Trades, Information Technology, Food Processing, Education, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Applications from Hospitality and Food Services employers submitted after February 4, 2026, will only be accepted for exempt occupations.

The TRRP is primarily an employer-driven initiative, allowing businesses to apply for work permit extensions for their staff in as few as 60 days. A key advantage of the TRRP is that employers do not need to advertise the position or secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), making it more accessible than the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

To qualify under the TRRP, both employers and employees must meet specific eligibility standards. For employers, this includes holding a valid WRAPA Certificate of registration and demonstrating active ownership and operation of a non-home-based business in Manitoba, alongside a minimum of $350,000 in gross annual revenue over the past three years. Certain employers are ineligible, including placement agencies that supply workers intermittently to other businesses, those that only hire owner-operators or self-employed individuals, and businesses intending to sell within two years. Employers listed on the ESDC/Service Canada suspension list and those who have been fined for violations under the TFWP or International Mobility Program (IMP) are also disqualified.

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Eligible employers can apply to retain an existing temporary resident employee, although approval is not guaranteed, as it depends on Manitoba’s economic and immigration priorities. Foreign workers looking to apply under the TRRP must be between the ages of 21-45 (unless the employer requests otherwise) and must hold a valid work permit that is set to expire within a year from the application date.

The applicant must also reside in Manitoba and meet the required language proficiency criteria: a minimum CLB 5 for TEER 0–3, or CLB 4 for TEER 4–5, across all skills per the CLB grid. Additionally, candidates must score at least 60 points on the MPNP assessment grid and not qualify under the “Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective PNP Candidates.”

The employment criteria require the employee to have worked full-time for the employer for no less than 18 months and possess an ongoing, long-term, permanent job offer. They must reside in Manitoba for over 50% of their time in Canada, which includes periods on visitor, study, and work permits. Their compensation and working conditions need to match those provided to Canadian citizens or permanent residents in similar roles and must at least meet the median prevailing wage for the occupation in the region.

If licensure or certification is required for the occupation, the worker must pursue assessments and/or exams with the relevant regulatory body. If the worker falls under TEER 4 or 5 classifications in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) and earns below the regional median wage, the employer is encouraged to provide additional supports, including covering work permit fees and facilitating access to settlement assistance. Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Cohen Immigration Law for more information on Manitoba work permits.

For further insights into Canadian immigration policies, you can visit the Government of Canada's official immigration site and the Canada Border Services Agency.