Manitoba PNP (MPNP) in 2026: streams, EOI and draws

This guide is for skilled workers, graduates, nurses and families who want to settle in Manitoba and need to know how the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) selects people in 2026. Its allocation rose to 8,000 nominations in 2026, and it chooses through expressions of interest and regular draws.

Who Manitoba suits

Manitoba suits, first, people already working in Manitoba: the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway is one of its main routes, and Manitoba has been moving workers already in the province into it.

It also suits graduates of Manitoba institutions, who have their own International Education Stream, and skilled workers abroad through the Skilled Worker Overseas pathway, whose rules deserve a careful read before you file an EOI.

How the MPNP works in 2026

A nomination is not permanent residence. It is Manitoba's recommendation; you then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which checks medicals, security and admissibility and decides.

Manitoba explains the two kinds of nomination in its own words: nominations made through the non-Express Entry process are called base nominations, and those made through Express Entry are enhanced nominations. An enhanced nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score; in 2026 the federal draws for provincial nominees have had cut-offs in the 700s and 800s.

The steps are:

Submit an expression of interest (EOI) in the stream that fits you. Manitoba scores your profile.
Draws. Manitoba holds draws and sends the selected candidates a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA).
Apply to Manitoba within the time the letter allows, then, once nominated, apply to IRCC.

Manitoba's 2026 allocation is 8,000 nominations: 6,239 granted in January 2026 and 1,761 more in August 2026. By the end of August, Manitoba had issued 3,777 nominations and 5,616 Skilled Worker LAAs. Live figures: MPNP monthly data 2026.

The streams open now

Skilled Worker in Manitoba. For workers already employed in Manitoba. Since 11 June 2026, candidates in the Career Employment Pathway who have six months or more of Manitoba work move into this pathway.

Skilled Worker Overseas. For skilled workers outside Manitoba. Selection is by EOI and LAA; read the current eligibility rules on Immigrate Manitoba before you file.

International Education Stream. For international graduates of Manitoba post-secondary institutions.

Business Investor Stream. Manitoba's business route. Its rules are separate from the worker streams; read them on Immigrate Manitoba before you commit funds.

Two federal pilots also take people into Manitoba communities: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot in Steinbach, Altona/Rhineland and Brandon, and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot in St. Pierre Jolys. Both need a job offer from a designated employer and the community's recommendation — see IRCC's community list.

What changed in 2025–2026

January 2025: the cut. Manitoba was allocated 4,750 nominations, a 50% decrease. It was later raised by 1,489, to 6,239.
25 March 2025: no job-offer points. A job offer no longer earns CRS points in Express Entry; in Manitoba, an employer helps through the MPNP.
4 February 2026: the Temporary Resident Retention Pilot stopped covering hospitality and food services.
11 June 2026: Career Employment Pathway candidates with six months or more of Manitoba work moved into Skilled Worker in Manitoba.
6 July 2026: the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge. This public policy extends the nomination deadline to 31 December 2027 for people who already held a support letter, with up to 2,700 letters. It is not open to new candidates.
August 2026: 1,761 more nominations, bringing 2026 to 8,000.

Priority occupations and sectors

Manitoba's 2026 changes point in one direction: it took hospitality and food services out of its retention pilot, and it moved in-province workers into its main skilled worker pathway. You can browse occupations on this site at /occupations/, and we report the occupations named in each draw as they happen.

Nurses. The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba opened an expedited pathway on 10 March 2025, but it covers only Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the US. Nurses educated in India or the Philippines follow the regular route, which takes longer, so start early.

Teachers. Manitoba uses Pathways to Teach Canada as the entry point for credential assessment (CAD 500 since 14 July 2026).

Express Entry still matters. Federal healthcare and social services, trades and French-language draws ran through 2026, and a nurse or tradesperson may qualify federally — see Express Entry.

Students and graduates

Manitoba still has a stream for its own graduates: the International Education Stream. That sets it apart from provinces such as British Columbia and Ontario, which have closed their graduate streams.

If you are choosing where to study, choose a programme and an institution in Manitoba with the job that follows in mind. Graduates who go on to work in Manitoba can also build towards the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway. Federally, one year of skilled work in Canada can make you eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, and a Canadian post-secondary credential adds 15 or 30 CRS points.

Families and settling in

Your spouse or partner and dependent children are normally included in your permanent residence application once you are nominated.
Spousal open work permits are now limited to spouses of workers in TEER 0–1 or priority-sector jobs, and of master's and doctoral students. Check this before your spouse plans to work.
Brandon, Steinbach, Altona/Rhineland and St. Pierre Jolys take part in the federal community pilots. If your family is open to life outside Winnipeg, ask which of them need your skills.
If you already held a Manitoba support letter, check whether the Workforce Transition Bridge applies to you before your permit runs out.

Following Manitoba draws on this site

We report MPNP draws, LAA numbers and notices under /category/pnp-news/, and collect the background by subject at /topics/. For federal Express Entry rounds, including the provincial-nominee draws, follow IRCNews.

How Polinsys helps

Joy Stephen, RCIC (CICC licence R419719), gives you an honest written assessment before any fee: which MPNP pathway fits your work, studies and connection to Manitoba, how your EOI is likely to score, and whether another province or a federal route suits you better. If you go ahead, we prepare your EOI and your application after a Letter of Advice to Apply, check your employer's documents, and then prepare your permanent residence application to IRCC. We never promise a result. Ask your questions first at our free Friday Q&A: https://polinsys.com/webinar/.