The Manitoba government announced on August 5, 2026, a new Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge Temporary Public Policy to provide support for individuals who were previously covered by temporary immigration policies implemented in 2024 and 2025.

Under the new temporary public policy, certain individuals who have already received a Manitoba Support Letter under the previous policies will have their deadline for receiving a nomination from the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) extended by one year, from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

An important point about this new policy is that it is not intended for new applicants who wish to obtain a Support Letter for the first time.

Eligible individuals must have already received a Manitoba Support Letter under the Temporary Public Policies (TPP) implemented in 2024 or 2025.

According to the Manitoba government, up to 2,700 new Support Letters may be issued to eligible individuals under the new policy.

This will allow eligible individuals who are currently working in Manitoba under the previous policy, but have not yet received an MPNP nomination, to continue working while pursuing their pathway toward permanent residence.

To request a Work Permit Support Letter under the new Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge Temporary Public Policy, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• They received a Manitoba Support Letter under the 2024 or 2025 TPP.
• They currently hold, or previously held, a Work Permit issued by IRCC under the previous TPP.
• Their Work Permit has already expired or will expire within the next 60 days.
• They are currently employed full-time in Manitoba, working at least 30 hours per week.
• They have an ongoing offer of employment from their current employer.
• They remain eligible to apply to the MPNP and have an active MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.
• They have not yet received a nomination from the MPNP.

In other words, the policy is intended for individuals who obtained the opportunity to work in Manitoba under the previous temporary policies and have not yet received an MPNP nomination, provided they meet the additional eligibility requirements.

Individuals who meet all of the eligibility requirements can request a new Work Permit Support Letter through the Manitoba government’s webform.

Applicants must provide the following documents:

1. A copy of the TPP Support Letter issued in 2024 or 2025
2. A copy of the Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
3. A copy of the biographical page of a valid passport or other government-issued photo identification

After Manitoba reviews and verifies the applicant’s eligibility, a new Support Letter may be issued under the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge Temporary Public Policy.

The new Support Letter can be used to apply to IRCC for a Manitoba-specific Open Work Permit.

However, obtaining a Work Permit under this policy does not guarantee an MPNP nomination.

It is important not to misunderstand the new policy as a new work permit program that is open to anyone seeking to work in Manitoba.

Having already received a Support Letter under the 2024 or 2025 TPP is a key requirement for eligibility under this policy.

Therefore, individuals who did not previously receive a Support Letter cannot request a Work Permit Support Letter under the new Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge Temporary Public Policy.

The new policy can be viewed as a bridge measure designed to help individuals who are already working in Manitoba under the previous temporary policies maintain their work authorization while they continue pursuing a pathway to permanent residence through the MPNP.

The new policy was signed by Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship on July 6, 2026.

The Manitoba government will continue to provide additional information, including details on the application process and the webform, through the official Immigrate Manitoba website and its FAQ section.

Eligible individuals should carefully review the requirements, including the validity of their Work Permit, their MPNP EOI profile, and their current employment situation, to determine whether they qualify under the new policy.

In particular, this policy will be important for individuals who received a Support Letter under the 2024 or 2025 TPP but have not yet received an MPNP nomination, as it may provide an opportunity to maintain their work authorization while continuing to pursue permanent residence in Manitoba.

With Manitoba’s announcement of this new policy, you may be wondering if you can utilize this system based on your current work permit and EOI status, or how you should plan your future MPNP application schedule.

At Shiraishi Visa JP Canada, we offer free initial consultations to hear about your current visa status, employment conditions, and future goals, helping you understand the general system framework and requirements.

• You want to confirm the general criteria to see if your situation falls under the “Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge.”
• You wish to grasp the overall process for obtaining permanent residency through the MPNP.

If this applies to you, please feel free to reach out for a free consultation.

This article is a summary prepared by Visa JP Canada based on official information from the Government of Ontario, organized for clarity and ease of understanding.
Source (Published: August 4, 2026): 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates (English)