Manitoba PNP Pauses Employer Services Applications Until August 5, 2025
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) recent announcement has introduced a temporary pause in the intake of new Employer Services applications, effective from July 4, 2025, with plans to resume on August 5, 2025. This pause does not affect applications already submitted, which will continue to be processed without delay.
For foreign nationals whose employers planned to support their nomination between July 4 and August 5, 2025, this means a delay in submitting new applications until the stream reopens. The pause provides an opportunity for applicants and employers to organize essential documents, verify eligibility, and ensure readiness when the program resumes.
Impact on Employers and Applicants
The temporary suspension directly impacts Manitoba businesses and international applicants relying on employer-driven nominations. Here’s what it means:
For Employers: Manitoba employers seeking to nominate skilled foreign workers through the Employer Services stream must wait until August 5, 2025, to submit new applications. This pause may temporarily affect hiring plans, particularly in sectors experiencing labor shortages. Employers are encouraged to use this time to prepare documentation and ensure compliance with MPNP eligibility criteria.
For Applicants: Foreign nationals with job offers from Manitoba employers cannot submit new Employer Services applications until the stream reopens. Those with existing applications are unaffected, and processing will continue as normal. Applicants should use this period to gather required documents, such as job offer letters, and confirm their eligibility with their employers or immigration consultants.
The pause reflects Manitoba’s commitment to maintaining a balanced immigration system that supports both economic growth and efficient application processing. By addressing backlogs now, the province aims to streamline operations and ensure a smoother experience for applicants when the stream reopens.
What is the Employer Services Stream
The MPNP’s Employer Services stream is designed to give Manitoba employers a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top international skilled workers. Through this stream, employers can nominate foreign workers who align with the province’s labor market needs for permanent residency. Below is a breakdown of the key features of the Employer Services stream:
Purpose: Facilitates employer-driven nominations to address labor shortages in Manitoba by supporting skilled foreign workers for permanent residency.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants:
Must be between 21 and 45 years of age (or as specified by the employer).
Must have a full-time, long-term job offer from a Manitoba employer that meets provincial employment and wage standards.
Must demonstrate the intention and ability to settle permanently in Manitoba, often through a Settlement Plan.
May require specific qualifications, work experience, or language proficiency depending on the job offer and employer requirements.
Employer Requirements:
Must have a registered commercial business operating in Manitoba for at least three years.
Must provide a valid job offer that is not home-based, part-time, temporary, seasonal, or commission-based.
Must demonstrate the ability to offer full-time, long-term employment to the candidate.
Prioritization: The MPNP currently prioritizes overseas workers with confirmed job offers from approved Manitoba employers when issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Process: Applicants typically submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile, and those with the highest scores may receive a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) to submit a full application for provincial nomination.
This stream is particularly valuable for employers in industries facing labor shortages and for skilled workers seeking a stable pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
