Manitoba to Extend Work Permits for 2,700 PR Applicants
Introduction
There is good news for many temporary workers in Manitoba. Around 2,700 workers may soon receive work permit extensions, allowing them to continue working in Canada while waiting for their permanent residence (PR) applications to move forward.
Here’s everything explained in simple words.
Work Permit Extensions Announced
To begin with, two Members of Parliament (MPs) from Winnipeg have announced that around 2,700 workers in Manitoba could receive work permit extensions.
These workers are currently waiting for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
According to the announcement, the extensions are expected to be valid until the end of 2027, helping workers stay employed while their provincial applications are being processed.
Who Can Benefit?
The new measure is expected to help workers who:
- Are living and working in Manitoba.
- Have applied or are pursuing PR through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
- Need to keep working while waiting for their provincial nomination and PR process to be completed.
Application Details Are Still Pending
However, the Canadian government has not yet shared full details about the program.
At this time, officials have not announced:
- When applications will open.
- How workers can apply.
- Who will officially qualify.
- When the new policy will come into effect.
Applicants will need to wait for further updates from the government.
What Is the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge?
Meanwhile, the proposed program is expected to be called the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge (MWTB).
This initiative is designed to support workers whose work permits may expire before they receive their provincial nomination or permanent residence.
How Is It Different From the 2024 Policy?
Previously, Canada introduced a temporary policy in 2024 that allowed eligible Provincial Nominee Program candidates to receive open work permits for up to two years.
Although that policy officially expired at the end of 2024, it appears similar support continued through updates made in 2025.
Now, the proposed MWTB program aims to continue helping workers facing the same situation.
Why Is This Extension Needed?
The need for this program comes from delays in Manitoba’s nomination process.
According to government information:
- More than 1,600 workers who received work permits under the 2024 policy have already become permanent residents.
- However, 2,700 workers are still waiting for their provincial nominations.
The province expects it may not be able to complete all nominations before the original deadline of December 31, 2026.
Because of this, many workers risk losing their legal work status before receiving PR.
Proposal Still Needs Approval
Although the announcement is positive, the proposal is not yet final.
The federal government has confirmed that the plan is currently under review by the Province of Manitoba.
The work permit extension can only move forward after the province officially approves it.
Why Are Processing Delays Happening?
One major reason is that Manitoba has received fewer provincial nomination spots over the past two years.
The province’s annual nomination allocation has decreased:
- 2023: 9,500 nominations
- 2024: 9,500 nominations
- 2025: 6,400 nominations
- 2026: 6,239 nominations
With fewer nomination spaces available, many workers have had to wait longer for their PR process.
Why This Matters for Workers
Applying through a Provincial Nominee Program is usually a two-step process:
- Receive a provincial nomination.
- Apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
However, this entire process can often take two to three years.
As a result, many workers—especially international graduates with Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)—risk having their work permits expire before receiving PR.
Since a PGWP generally cannot be extended, many applicants face uncertainty while waiting for their immigration applications to be processed.
Another Positive Update
In addition, the federal government introduced another helpful measure in June 2026.
Eligible provincial nominee applicants can now receive work permit support if they are waiting for the immigration department to issue their Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) after submitting their permanent residence application.
This helps prevent workers from losing their legal work status during the waiting period.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the proposed Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge could provide much-needed relief for around 2,700 workers waiting for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
If approved, the measure will allow eligible workers to extend their work permits until the end of 2027, giving them the opportunity to continue working legally while their provincial nominations and PR applications are being processed. Although important details are still awaited, this proposal is a positive step toward supporting temporary workers and helping them remain in Canada during their immigration journey.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your immigration questions. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
