On October 9, 2025, Manitoba issued invitations to apply for provincial nomination to 862 candidates through the Skilled Worker stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw was conducted through two main pathways: the occupation-specific Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and the employer-driven Skilled Worker Overseas selection. Notably, this draw continued to prioritize candidates under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), with 203 candidates also holding valid federal Express Entry profiles.

Manitoba has successfully secured an increase in its 2025 immigration nomination allocation from the federal government, gaining an additional 1,489 nomination spots, bringing the province's total allocation for this year to 6,239. This adjustment will enable Manitoba to nominate more candidates to obtain permanent residence and settle in the province before the end of 2025. This allocation increase represents a partial recovery following the significant reduction in provincial nominee program allocations nationwide at the beginning of 2025.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently confirmed that the federal government is studying targeted measures to attract technical professionals affected by the new U.S. H-1B visa policy. This move comes in response to President Trump's sudden announcement of a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas. Canada previously launched a work permit program specifically for H-1B holders in July 2023, with 10,000 spots filling up in less than 48 hours, demonstrating strong market demand. Immigration experts and business groups are urging Canada to seize this opportunity, while also noting the need to streamline permanent residence application processes to truly retain talent.

Manitoba's immigration department issued application invitations to 911 skilled worker candidates this week through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw covered both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream and the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, with candidates primarily qualifying through strategic recruitment initiatives and temporary work permit facilitation policies. Notably, over 90% of the invitations were issued to applicants who benefited from the federal temporary work permit policy.

With US H1-B visa application fees skyrocketing to $100,000, an increasing number of international tech professionals are turning their attention to Canada. This article provides a detailed analysis of Canada's main work permit and immigration pathways, offering comprehensive guidance for professionals seeking to develop their careers in North America.

In early September 2025, the province of Manitoba conducted its latest provincial nominee program draw, issuing over 3,300 invitations to apply to skilled workers and international graduates. The selection covered three main immigration streams and included targeted invitations for citizens of Ukraine and candidates selected through "strategic recruitment initiatives," highlighting the province's ongoing efforts to attract diverse talent to meet its labor market needs.

The Government of Ontario has recently announced a major reform framework known as "As of Right," designed to break down interprovincial barriers and significantly simplify the certification process for professionals in regulated occupations coming from other Canadian provinces. The new rules, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, will shorten the certification period from the current several months to as little as 10 business days, thereby promoting free labour mobility within Canada. This initiative will not only have a profound impact on professions like architects and engineers but also establishes a special fast-track entry for certain healthcare professionals from Canada and the United States, potentially creating new opportunities for individuals seeking to immigrate through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

On September 3, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted two pivotal draws, issuing 1,893 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination to candidates already residing in Canada and possessing job offers in 77 specific priority occupations. These draws primarily targeted the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and Employer Job Offer: International Student streams, with minimum scores of 42 and 63, respectively. Notably, these invitations were issued following the shift to an employer-led application process in Ontario's immigration system, underscoring the province's ongoing demand for specific skilled talent and reflecting its dynamic adjustments to immigration policy.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held five targeted provincial nomination draws on August 28, 2025, issuing a total of 468 invitations to apply to eligible candidates. These invitations primarily focused on two categories of applicants: foreign workers and international students with job offers in Northern Ontario, and candidates who qualify for the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program with an employer job offer in a specific community. This round of invitations again highlights Ontario's strategic direction of using immigration policy to address labour shortages in specific regions.

The province of Manitoba held its 17th Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw of the year on August 21, 2025. This draw exclusively targeted skilled worker candidates who received a direct invitation through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. A total of 77 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued, with a minimum required score of 612. The draw underscores the province's strategy of collaborating with employers and communities to precisely attract in-demand talent.