A federal public policy creates a time-limited pathway to open work permits for certain Manitoba temporary workers who have been screened for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool.
Open work permits for Manitoba PNP candidates
The policy is intended to support a cohort of up to 2,700 existing skilled workers assessed by Manitoba as strong candidates for permanent residence under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. Manitoba will issue support letters for workers covered by the measure.
Eligible foreign nationals may be issued an open work permit if they have a Government of Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025, confirming that they were screened and placed in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool by that date, as well as a letter of employment from their current employer.
Conditions and possible exemptions
The policy sets out pathways for workers who hold a valid work permit, as well as certain workers whose permit held on May 7, 2024 has expired and who had submitted a work permit renewal application on or before that date. It also includes a pathway for a new work permit.
Delegated officers may grant exemptions from specified regulatory requirements where the applicable conditions are met. Foreign nationals covered by the policy remain subject to all eligibility and admissibility requirements that are not otherwise exempted.
Effective date and expiry
The public policy took effect when it was signed on July 6, 2026. It expires on December 31, 2027 and may be revoked at any time without prior notice.
Source: Official IRCC announcement