Manitoba PNP Candidates May Qualify for Special Work Permits.

Manitoba PNP applicants may qualify for special work permits valid for up to two years.

To be eligible, a Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) applicant must:

  • Hold a work permit that will expire within 45 days, or have held one that expired in 2024 or 2025.
  • Have continuously resided in Manitoba since before January 1, 2025.
  • Have held a valid MPNP Expression of Interest profile on January 15, 2025, and still maintain one.
  • Possess a letter of employment from their current Manitoba-based employer.

Applicants must also meet additional program criteria set by the federal government.

The MPNP will begin accepting applications for these permits on April 22, 2025.

This special permit program will remain open until December 31, 2025, after which the federal temporary policy will end. Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino announced this initiative on April 15, 2025.

However, individuals who have already received a Letter of Advice to Apply to MPNP are not eligible for this special work permit.

These work permits will be issued under IRCC’s Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Applicants.

This temporary policy allowing specific Provincial Nominee Program applicants to apply for an Open Work Permit was originally introduced on August 11, 2024.

Applicants must also meet further eligibility rules under the federal temporary public policy, including:

  • Holding a valid work permit.
  • Having held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, that has since expired, and having applied for a work authorization extension or restoration of status.
  • Having maintained status on May 7, 2024, and submitted a permit extension request before this date, with the application pending or already approved.

How To Request Consideration?

MPNP applicants who meet the criteria can apply for a Support Letter via an online submission form available on April 22, 2025.

To be eligible, you must submit your valid Expression of Interest profile and a current employment letter.

In addition, you must attach one of the following documents:

  • A valid work permit
  • Proof of current work authorization
  • Proof that you held a valid work permit as of May 7, 2024, and have since applied for restoration of your temporary resident status (under IRPR section 182)

Applications will be denied if you fail to meet eligibility or do not provide complete documentation.

Note: Meeting eligibility does not guarantee approval, as Manitoba may limit the number of support letters issued at its discretion.

Why This Policy Was Created?

Manitoba PNP applicants may qualify for special work permits. This joint initiative by IRCC and the Manitoba government supports workers contributing to the province’s economy who are at risk of losing their work status before receiving PR through the MPNP.

Typically, Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs) are only available to those who have already submitted permanent resident applications. Before now, there was no equivalent permit for candidates still in the PNP stage, leaving many workers vulnerable—especially those with expiring Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) or impacted by the pause on low-wage LMIA processing under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

To resolve this gap, a temporary federal policy was created allowing provinces like Manitoba to support employed nominees still awaiting permanent residency. The new measure helps these workers maintain their employment and legal status during the transition.

Minister Malaya Marcelino noted that this change helps workers and their families stay in Manitoba and contribute to the province. She emphasized that the policy is a boost for Manitoba’s economy, beneficial for employers, and vital to the future of the province’s workforce.

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].