In the first week of September 2025, the province of Manitoba conducted a new round of selections through its Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), issuing thousands of Letters of Advice to Apply for a provincial nomination to skilled workers, international graduates, and other eligible candidates.
According to the results of Draw #253, announced on September 4, 2025, a total of 3,347 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued. Invited candidates were from three major streams: the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream, the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, and the International Education Stream.
A detailed breakdown of the draw is as follows
| Stream | Number of Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) issued | Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Stream | 15 | 844 |
| Skilled Worker in Manitoba | 1,466 | N/A |
| International Education Stream | 1,866 | N/A |
Notably, of the 3,347 total LAAs issued, 415 went to candidates who also had a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code.
Detailed Selection Criteria
1. Skilled Worker Stream (Overseas and In-Manitoba)
The 15 candidates invited under the general Skilled Worker stream were all selected through one of the MPNP's Strategic Recruitment Initiatives. This program allows the province to partner with employers and communities to target individuals with specific, in-demand skills. The invitations were distributed as follows:
- Employer Services: 4
- Francophone Community: 7
- Regional Communities: 3
- Ethnocultural Communities: 1
2. Skilled Worker in Manitoba – Special Selection for Ukrainian Citizens
In addition to the general draw, the MPNP also conducted a special selection on September 4 specifically for citizens of Ukraine. All candidates who met the basic eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream and declared their principal applicant as a citizen of Ukraine were invited.
3. International Education Stream
Candidates in this category were invited for meeting all the eligibility requirements of the International Education Stream. This stream remains a key pathway for international students who have completed their studies in Manitoba and wish to build a future in the province.
Potential Reasons for Not Receiving an LAA
The MPNP also clarified why some candidates might not receive an LAA even if their score meets or exceeds the cut-off. Common reasons include:
- Declaring a valid third-party language test in their Expression of Interest (EOI) but failing to provide a valid test number, or having test results that expired by the time of the draw.
- Claiming to have received a direct invitation through a strategic recruitment initiative but failing to provide a valid invitation number in their EOI.
What Are MPNP Strategic Recruitment Initiatives?
Strategic recruitment initiatives are a key component of the MPNP, typically involving employer-led or community-driven processes. They are designed to identify and invite candidates who possess critical skills that are in short supply within Manitoba's labor market.
These initiatives help local employers fill persistent labor gaps while offering a clear pathway to Canadian permanent residence for foreign nationals. Participating employers must meet specific eligibility requirements and complete Manitoba's recruitment process before they can recommend international candidates. In turn, candidates must meet criteria for language proficiency, work experience, education, and age, in addition to the specific conditions of the stream under which they are invited.
Furthermore, the MPNP assesses a candidate's ties to other Canadian provinces. If these ties suggest a risk that the candidate may not remain in Manitoba, the application may be refused. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis.
