Manitoba's October 2026 immigration draw targets education and healthcare
Manitoba issued 340 invitations in its 20th provincial draw of 2026, prioritizing skilled workers in childcare, education, and healthcare occupations to address labour shortages.
Manitoba issued 340 Letters of Advice to Apply on October 8, 2026. The draw was the province's 20th of the year under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). It targeted candidates already working in Manitoba in critical sectors.
Most invitations went through the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream. The province used an occupation-specific selection to focus on key workforce needs. The breakdown of these 257 invitations is detailed below.
| Occupation Category | Number of Invitations |
|---|---|
| Education or Childcare | 211 |
| Healthcare | 46 |
An additional 83 candidates were selected through strategic recruitment initiatives. These included pathways under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba or Skilled Worker Overseas streams. Some selections were also made under a now-expired Temporary Public Policy for work permits.
Candidate profile and process requirements
Over a third of the invited candidates had profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Specifically, 103 individuals declared a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code. This connection can provide a faster route to permanent residency for those candidates.
All applicants face strict eligibility rules. They must verify their occupation, current employment, and any required professional licensing. Simply having an occupation on the invitation list does not guarantee qualification. The MPNP may refuse applications if candidates cannot prove they work in a regulated profession and hold the necessary license.
Applicants have 60 calendar days to submit a complete application after receiving their invitation. Following a successful nomination, they may request a work permit support letter. A provincial invitation does not guarantee permanent residence.
Strategic recruitment and broader context
The draw was part of a sustained provincial immigration effort. From January to August 2026, the MPNP's Skilled Worker Stream drew 5,616 Expressions of Interest. The province received 3,576 nomination applications in that period, with 16,008 more in assessment or pending.
Refusals are part of the process. Between January and August 2026, 484 nomination applications were refused, with monthly numbers ranging from 35 to 95. Overall in 2026, Manitoba invited 7,223 candidates through the MPNP and issued 3,774 nominations.
Support policies exist for workers in transition. The Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge policy can support up to 2,700 at-risk workers. This includes MPNP candidates who had a provincial support letter and an active Expression of Interest profile as of December 31, 2025. Also, a temporary public policy has allowed base PNP applicants to apply for Bridging Open Work Permits earlier since June 9, 2026.
Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete provincial nomination application and may request a work permit support letter after receiving a nomination.
