The government has introduced a new policy to offer work permits to up to 2,700 temporary foreign workers in Manitoba, including those who have lost their status or faced the risk of losing authorization to work in Canada.
Under the temporary public policy named the “Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge public policy” (MWTB), open work permits will be granted to provincial nominee candidates with provincial support letters.
The policy, effective since July 6, 2026, and published on August 5, 2026, on the government’s website, provides support to foreign nationals being considered for provincial nomination under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
To apply under the MWTB, applicants must provide a letter of employment from their current employer and a support letter from Manitoba issued on or before December 31, 2025, confirming their screening and placement in the MPNP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) pool by the same date.
Applicants must fall into one of three categories:
- Category 1 – Valid work permit: Holding a valid work permit.
- Category 2 – Expired work permit: Previously held a valid work permit that expired after May 7, 2024.
- Category 3 – Maintained status: Applied for work permit renewal before May 7, 2024, and maintained status.
Eligible individuals under the MWTB can apply for an open work permit and extend their temporary resident authorization in Canada. Those qualifying under the expired work permit category can also seek restoration of temporary resident status.
Applicants under the MWTB are exempt from the usual conditions for obtaining a work permit in Canada.