Provincial Nominee Programs continue to hum even as Ottawa pares back overall immigration numbers. On 1 February 2026, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) invited 47 candidates to apply for provincial nomination in its second draw of the year—but the first whose details became public within the past 24 hours. (cicnews.com)
All invitations were issued through the Skilled Worker stream, split between the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas pathways. Twenty-four went to applicants identified by Employer Services recruitment missions, while 14 benefitted from the special public-policy pathway that lets prospective nominees obtain work permits while waiting for federal processing. Six invitees held valid Express Entry profiles, giving them a potential double path to permanent residence. (cicnews.com)
![Manitoba Issues 47 Invitations in First 2026 Skilled-Worker Draw]()
Prospective nominees and employers who need help navigating paperwork—from provincial nomination documents to federal work-permit applications—can leverage VisaHQ’s dedicated Canada platform for streamlined, end-to-end assistance. The service tracks requirements in real time, coordinates biometrics appointments, and ensures nothing is missed; find out more at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
Although 47 nominations may appear modest, they reflect Manitoba’s strategy of issuing smaller, targeted draws that prioritise employer-backed candidates in regional and francophone communities. Since 1 January 2026 the province has issued 102 Letters of Advice to Apply, 70 percent of them tied to specific labour-market recruitment initiatives. Employers in agri-food processing, advanced manufacturing and long-term care have been the main beneficiaries. (cicnews.com)
For corporate mobility managers, the message is clear: provincial recruitment fairs and sector-specific missions remain one of the fastest routes to securing work authorisation in Canada, even as federal caps tighten. Candidates nominated by Manitoba receive 600 bonus Comprehensive Ranking System points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence when IRCC holds its next Express Entry general draw. (cicnews.com)
All invitations were issued through the Skilled Worker stream, split between the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas pathways. Twenty-four went to applicants identified by Employer Services recruitment missions, while 14 benefitted from the special public-policy pathway that lets prospective nominees obtain work permits while waiting for federal processing. Six invitees held valid Express Entry profiles, giving them a potential double path to permanent residence. (cicnews.com)
Prospective nominees and employers who need help navigating paperwork—from provincial nomination documents to federal work-permit applications—can leverage VisaHQ’s dedicated Canada platform for streamlined, end-to-end assistance. The service tracks requirements in real time, coordinates biometrics appointments, and ensures nothing is missed; find out more at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
Although 47 nominations may appear modest, they reflect Manitoba’s strategy of issuing smaller, targeted draws that prioritise employer-backed candidates in regional and francophone communities. Since 1 January 2026 the province has issued 102 Letters of Advice to Apply, 70 percent of them tied to specific labour-market recruitment initiatives. Employers in agri-food processing, advanced manufacturing and long-term care have been the main beneficiaries. (cicnews.com)
For corporate mobility managers, the message is clear: provincial recruitment fairs and sector-specific missions remain one of the fastest routes to securing work authorisation in Canada, even as federal caps tighten. Candidates nominated by Manitoba receive 600 bonus Comprehensive Ranking System points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence when IRCC holds its next Express Entry general draw. (cicnews.com)
