Manitoba Invites 124 Skilled Workers in MPNP Draw #273 on June 18 2026

On June 18, 2026, Manitoba held invitation round #273 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), issuing 124 Letters of Advice to Apply to skilled workers through the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas pathways. Of these, 22 were issued to candidates with a valid federal Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code. Manitoba’s total MPNP invitations in 2026 now stand at 1,833.

MPNP Holds Draw #273 Targeting Strategic Recruitment Candidates

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program conducted its 273rd invitation round on June 18, 2026. Manitoba’s draw model is distinct from most other provinces: rather than pulling broadly from an open pool of registered candidates, round 273 was structured as a strategic recruitment initiative. This means invitations were extended specifically to skilled workers who had been directly identified and invited by the MPNP through targeted outreach.

A total of 124 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued across both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and the Skilled Worker Overseas pathway. Manitoba’s MPNP invitations in 2026 have now reached 1,833 in total, with 537 of those issued to candidates who hold active federal Express Entry profiles.

How Were the 124 Invitations Distributed?

The 124 LAAs issued in draw 273 were allocated across five distinct strategic recruitment initiatives. The breakdown reflects Manitoba’s multi-sector approach to labour market recruitment:

• Employer Services: 49 invitations — the single largest category, targeting candidates who came to the MPNP’s attention through connections with Manitoba employers actively seeking to hire internationally.
• Temporary Public Policy (TPP): 32 invitations — this category targets prospective nominees identified through the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates.
• Regional Communities: 19 invitations — reflecting Manitoba’s ongoing effort to direct immigration to communities outside Winnipeg, where labour shortages in smaller centres are acute.
• Francophone Community: 15 invitations — Manitoba has a dedicated initiative to recruit French-speaking candidates, supporting the vitality of the province’s Francophone communities.
• Ethnocultural Communities: 9 invitations — this initiative targets candidates who can contribute to established and emerging ethnocultural communities in Manitoba.

Of the full 124 LAAs, 22 went to candidates with a valid federal Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. These candidates benefit from a faster route to permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system if they receive a provincial nomination.

What is MPNP Strategic Recruitment and Who Can Be Invited?

The term “strategic recruitment initiative” is specific to how Manitoba structures certain MPNP draws. Rather than running an open draw where any registered candidate above a score threshold can be selected, strategic draws pull from candidates who have been directly identified by the MPNP — often through outreach at recruitment events, through referrals from Manitoba employers, or through outreach to specific communities.

This approach means that a person cannot simply register with the MPNP EOI pool and passively wait for a strategic draw. Candidates selected in strategic draws have typically come to MPNP’s direct attention through:

• A Manitoba employer who has contacted the MPNP’s Employer Services division seeking to hire a specific international worker.
• Participation in a Manitoba recruitment event or mission abroad.
• A referral from a regional or community partner under the Regional Communities or Ethnocultural Community initiatives.
• A connection through one of MPNP’s dedicated Francophone recruitment pathways.

How Does MPNP’s EOI System Work for Regular Draws?

While draw 273 was a strategic recruitment draw, Manitoba also conducts regular EOI-based draws for its Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas streams. In these draws, candidates who have submitted an Expression of Interest are ranked and invited if they meet the minimum score threshold for that particular round.

Candidates who have not been directly recruited can still enter the regular MPNP EOI pool and wait for a points-based draw. A strong EOI profile typically requires:

• An offer of employment from a Manitoba employer in an in-demand occupation.
• Sufficient work experience, education, and language proficiency to achieve a competitive EOI score.
• A connection to Manitoba — whether through work, study, or family ties that demonstrates a genuine intent to settle in the province.

It is important to note that Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream EOI draws are not currently being conducted. Business investor EOIs are reviewed within four weeks of receipt, after which the MPNP issues either a Letter of Advice to Apply or a feedback letter.

Manitoba’s 2026 MPNP Totals at a Glance

With 273 draws complete, Manitoba has now invited 1,833 skilled worker candidates through the MPNP in 2026. Of that total, 537 candidates held active Express Entry profiles at the time of their invitation, a significant figure that reflects Manitoba’s use of the federal Express Entry system as a complementary pathway for skilled workers with strong federal CRS scores.

Manitoba continues to hold regular EOI draws throughout the year. Candidates in the pool who have strong connections to Manitoba employers, established community ties, or who belong to one of the province’s targeted recruitment communities should stay engaged with the MPNP and keep their EOI profiles current.

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