IRCC’s Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge temporary public policy, in effect from July 6, 2026, allows eligible Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates to seek an open work permit if they were issued a provincial support letter on or before December 31, 2025.
Manitoba-only public policy runs until the end of 2027
The temporary public policy is implemented exclusively in Manitoba. It is intended to facilitate open work permits for foreign nationals who were screened and placed in Manitoba’s Expression of Interest pool under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program on or before December 31, 2025.
Applicants must apply before the public policy expires on December 31, 2027. IRCC says applications received after that date, including renewals, will be refused.
The measure replaces earlier, expired public policies that covered candidates in Manitoba, Alberta and Yukon. The new policy does not apply to Alberta or Yukon candidates.
Who may qualify for an open work permit
To qualify, applicants must have a support letter issued by the Government of Manitoba on or before December 31, 2025. The letter must confirm that the person was screened and placed in the Manitoba PNP Expression of Interest pool by that date.
Applicants must also provide a letter from their current employer in Manitoba as evidence that they are employed in the province. Although the application is for an open work permit and does not require an offer of employment, IRCC requires the employment letter as part of its assessment.
A letter of continued support issued by Manitoba in 2026 may be included with an application, but it does not replace the required support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025.
Status and document requirements
The policy covers three groups: people with a valid work permit when they apply, people whose work permits have expired, and people authorized to work without a permit under paragraph 186(u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Applicants must have valid temporary resident status, maintained status, or apply for restoration. IRCC’s instructions also set out specific conditions for applicants whose work permits have expired and for those authorized to work without a permit.
Required evidence includes a valid passport, the applicable current or expired work permit, the Manitoba support letter, and a letter of employment from the applicant’s current employer. The Family Information form and a 2026 letter of continued support are not required, and an application should not be refused solely because either is absent.
Applicants must be in Canada when a decision is made
An applicant may leave Canada while the application is pending. However, to receive facilitation under the public policy, they must be in Canada when IRCC makes its decision and must have valid temporary resident status or have applied for restoration at that time.
IRCC officers are instructed to confirm whether an applicant has left Canada or has returned before issuing the open work permit.
Family members
If the principal applicant is approved for an open work permit under the public policy, their spouse or common-law partner and dependants may be eligible for open work permits under the applicable administrative codes.
Minor children may apply for a study permit through existing streams or may study without one at the K–12 level if they are already in Canada and at least one parent holds a work or study permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Manitoba letter of continued support issued in 2026 replace the earlier support letter?
No. A 2026 letter of continued support may be submitted, but applicants must still have a Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025.
Does the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge apply to Alberta or Yukon candidates?
No. IRCC states that the new temporary public policy applies only to Manitoba candidates. Applications from Alberta or Yukon candidates under the previous expired public policies are not eligible under this measure.
Source: Official IRCC announcement