The Government of Canada has announced a new initiative that will allow thousands of foreign workers in Manitoba to extend their work permits while waiting for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
According to federal Members of Parliament Kevin Lamoureux and Terry Duguid, around 2,700 workers are expected to benefit from the new measure. The extension is intended for individuals who have already applied or are pursuing permanent residence through the MPNP but are still waiting for their provincial nomination.
The announcement was first shared by Kevin Lamoureux on July 6, 2026, followed by Terry Duguid on July 7. The proposed extensions are expected to remain valid until the end of 2027, allowing eligible workers to continue working legally in Manitoba while their provincial nomination applications are processed.
Details Yet to Be Released
Although the announcement has been welcomed by many applicants, the federal government has not yet published official guidelines explaining:
- How eligible workers can apply for the extension.
- The eligibility requirements.
- The official launch date of the program.
More information is expected once both the federal and Manitoba governments finalize the proposal.
Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge
The new initiative is expected to be introduced as the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge (MWTB). It is designed to build on the temporary work permit policy introduced in 2024, which provided eligible Provincial Nominee Program candidates with open work permits for up to two years.
Government documents indicate that more than 1,600 workers who received permits under the 2024 policy have already become permanent residents. However, approximately 2,700 applicants are still waiting for provincial nominations, making additional work permit extensions necessary.
Background on the Previous Policy
The earlier temporary public policy came into effect on August 11, 2024, and officially expired on December 31, 2024. Although it was not formally renewed, government updates suggested that similar work permit support continued through the end of 2025.
The proposed Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge aims to prevent eligible workers from losing their legal work status while waiting for nomination decisions.
Impact of Reduced Nomination Allocations
The announcement comes after Manitoba experienced significant reductions in its annual provincial nomination allocations.
The province received:
- 9,500 nominations in both 2023 and 2024.
- 6,400 nominations in 2025.
- 6,239 nominations in 2026.
With fewer nomination spaces available, processing times have increased, leaving many skilled workers waiting longer for permanent residence.
Why This Extension Matters
Applicants under the Provincial Nominee Program must first receive a provincial nomination before applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. This process can often take several years.
Many international graduates and foreign workers rely on Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) or other temporary work permits, which have limited validity and are generally not renewable. Without a bridge program, many applicants risk losing their authorization to work before their permanent residence applications are finalized.
Earlier in June 2026, the federal government also introduced a separate measure allowing certain provincial nominees to qualify for work permits while waiting for an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC after submitting their permanent residence application.
The proposed Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge offers encouraging news for thousands of skilled workers hoping to build their future in Canada. While official application details are still pending, the initiative demonstrates ongoing efforts to support provincial nominee candidates facing extended processing times.
Oasis Visas recommends that Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program applicants monitor upcoming announcements from the Canadian government for eligibility criteria and application procedures as soon as they become available.
