Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Update: Skilled Worker Invitations Rise, Special Work Permit Holders Prioritised

Key Development

Before and during the recent pandemic, one of the major ways the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) managed the inflow of foreign workers was by issuing invitations to apply for a nomination under its Skilled Worker stream to those who already had a work permit. These draws indicate that the policy of the province regarding labor has been to attract and retain professionals who are either living in or working in the province already.

What’s New

The new lottery system has given priority to applicants who have special work permits that are valid (i.e., temporary workers allowed to work in Manitoba).
The lottery covers the ‘Skilled Worker in Manitoba’ and ‘Skilled Worker Overseas’ pathways; however, it is clear that the priority is given to the locators and workers of the province.
The minimum ranking in the last EOI (Expression of Interest) rounds has been around 600-700 plus, which indicates tough competition.

By and large, the candidates invited were those who had claimed a direct invitation through a strategic recruitment initiative and had reported an Express Entry profile number plus job seeker validation code in some cases.

Why It Matters

This change will significantly affect potential immigrants, especially those from India or other overseas markets:

The presence of an applicant in Manitoba with a special work permit not only qualifies the applicant but also rates him/her among the competitive ones.
Migrant applicants living outside Canada and not having worked in Manitoba may find it quite tough to compete with the already present applicants who have the same experience as theirs.
All the aspiring applicants must prove their Manitoba link (job, work permit status, language ability, settlement readiness) and make sure it is not outdated.
High-ranking cut-off points mean that merely being eligible may not suffice — powerful profiles are needed.

Strategic Implications for Advisors

These changes suggest the following strategic adjustments:

Segment clients into two categories: those who are already in Manitoba on work permits and those who are overseas — tailor the communication accordingly.
Draw up a list for those with work permits in Manitoba to confirm that all work, language, and settlement documents are in order before submitting EOI.
For customers situated abroad: emphasize the need for obtaining a Manitoba work permit (even if it’s temporary) before applying under the Skilled Worker stream to enhance their chances.
Monitor MPNP draw results and score cut-offs closely and regularly update clients on realistic timelines and ranking expectations.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Manitoba PNP increasingly favors those who are in a position to work in Manitoba through a work permit and are endowed with good human capital characteristics. The preparation, connection, and profile strength are again emphasized to the target clients of Canadian immigration through Manitoba, as the trend continues.

Do you want to fine-tune your strategy for the Manitoba pathway? Let’s schedule a session with Abhinav Immigration Services to review your client profiles again, point out if anyone should go for a Manitoba work permit first, and update your advisory materials with these new priorities.