Some candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) will soon be able to apply for special Manitoba-issued work permits to help maintain their legal status and continue working while awaiting permanent residency.
These temporary work permits will be valid for up to two years and are designed to support foreign nationals at risk of losing their authorization to work due to expiring permits.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for the Manitoba-specific work permit, applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- Hold a work permit expiring within 45 days or held a work permit that expired in 2024 or 2025.
- Have been living in Manitoba continuously since before January 15, 2025.
- Had a valid MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile on January 15, 2025, which is still active.
- Have a job offer or letter of employment from their current Manitoba employer.
In addition, applicants must meet the federal eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under a temporary public policy.
When and How to Apply
- Applications open: April 22, 2025
- Deadline to apply: December 31, 2025
Eligible candidates must apply online to the MPNP for a Support Letter, which is required for the work permit application submitted to IRCC.
You’ll need to provide:
- Your Expression of Interest (EOI) profile
- A letter of employment
- And one of the following:
- Your current work permit
- Proof of authorization to work
- Proof that you held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, and have applied for restoration of status
Please note: Receiving a Support Letter is not guaranteed, even if you meet all eligibility criteria. Manitoba may limit how many are issued.
Also, if you have already received a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) from MPNP, you are not eligible for this special permit.
Federal Public Policy Requirements
Under IRCC’s temporary public policy introduced on August 11, 2024, eligible MPNP candidates must:
- Hold a valid work permit; or
- Have held a work permit on May 7, 2024, which has since expired, and have applied for an extension or restoration; or
- Had maintained status on May 7, 2024, and submitted a work permit extension application before that date (currently pending or approved)
For a detailed breakdown of federal requirements, refer to IRCC’s public policy or our in-depth article on the topic.
Why This Policy Matters
This policy was created to prevent gaps in work authorization for MPNP candidates who haven’t yet reached the permanent residency (PR) stage. Without this option, many are at risk of losing their status—especially those with expiring Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) or who cannot renew under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) due to a pause in Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage roles.
By stepping in, Manitoba and IRCC aim to keep valuable workers employed and contributing to the province’s economy.
“By allowing eligible candidates to extend their work permits, we’re helping more Manitoba workers and families to continue building their lives in Manitoba,” said Manitoba Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino on April 15, 2025.
“This is good news for our economy, businesses, and communities across Manitoba.”
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