Manitoba PNP Draw #256: 29 Invitations Issued Under Skilled Worker Stream

(MANITOBA, CANADA) Manitoba’s immigration office issued 29 invitations under the Skilled Worker Stream in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw #256 on October 23, 2025, marking the smallest draw of the year and a clear sign of targeted selection focused on current labor needs. The invitations, known as Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs), were extended to candidates aligned with the province’s immediate economic and community goals. VisaVerge.com reports that this Manitoba PNP Draw is the year’s leanest call, underscoring a tight, strategic approach rather than broad selection.

The province split the 29 invitations across five recruitment avenues. Only a handful went to direct employer-linked and community-focused groups, while the majority were issued under a Temporary Public Policy aimed at helping workers already contributing to Manitoba’s economy. The distribution was: Employer Services (4), Francophone Community (3), Regional Communities (2), Ethnocultural Communities (1), and Temporary Public Policy (19). That 19 stands out. It signals policy attention to those with ongoing roles in Manitoba workplaces who need status support while they move toward nomination and, later, permanent residence.

Officials have not released extra criteria beyond the standard Skilled Worker guidance for this round. However, the choices line up with Manitoba’s long-stated goals: support for regional development, support for the Francophone community, and steady pathways for workers tied to local employers. The province is continuing to match selection with where jobs are open and where communities are growing, while keeping doors open to people who strengthen Manitoba’s culture and languages.

Policy focus and draw breakdown

Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Stream remains a direct route to permanent residence for people who show they can settle and work in the province. In this draw, the small size suggests a careful match between candidate profiles and specific demand. The emphasis on the Temporary Public Policy route also points to stability for workers already on the ground. Many applicants and employers prefer that approach: it helps keep trained staff in place while longer immigration steps continue.

Selection priorities in this round:

• Employer Services: 4 invitations for candidates matched with employers that need specific skills
• Francophone Community: 3 invitations supporting French-speaking talent and bilingual services
• Regional Communities: 2 invitations backing growth outside major centres
• Ethnocultural Communities: 1 invitation recognizing community-based ties that aid settlement
• Temporary Public Policy: 19 invitations for candidates who may be awaiting nomination and need work-authorisation continuity

According to VisaVerge.com, the tiny volume points to a targeted hiring environment rather than a slowdown. Employers in Manitoba continue to look for workers who can start quickly, remain employed, and move toward permanent status without long gaps. This draw fits that pattern.

What the Temporary Public Policy means for workers

The Temporary Public Policy path used here is meant to help candidates keep working while nomination decisions are pending. While Manitoba manages selection, work permits are federal documents. Many candidates who receive invitations and have ongoing jobs may need to extend or change their work authorization to remain employed in Canada 🇨🇦 during processing.

Important federal forms and guidance:

• Workers inside Canada often apply with form IMM 5710 (Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay as a Worker). Official guide and forms: IRCC — Extend your stay as a worker (IMM 5710)
• For permanent residence, PNP applicants submit federal forms after receiving a provincial nomination, including IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada) under the provincial nominees category. Full instructions: IRCC — Apply for permanent residence: Provincial Nominees

These official links explain who needs biometrics, what fees apply, and how to upload documents.

Manitoba posts draw results and notes on its Expressions of Interest page. Check the official archive for updates on selection rounds, invitation counts, and any stream-specific details: Manitoba Immigration — EOI Draws.

Why the draw matters to communities and employers

Manitoba’s priorities in this round reflect the province’s commitment to community growth and culture:

• Francophone Community invitations support bilingual services, schools, and cultural continuity.
• Regional Communities invitations show the province is investing beyond Winnipeg, targeting needs in towns and smaller cities (nurses, mechanics, welders, truck drivers, IT support).
• Ethnocultural Communities invitation—though only one—often brings strong settlement supports that improve long-term integration.

For employers, the Temporary Public Policy focus helps maintain staff continuity and reduces the risk of losing trained workers during the nomination and federal processing stages. For workers and families, this approach reduces gaps in status, allowing spouses and children to keep working and studying, and helps households plan housing and finances.

Practical advice for applicants and employers

If you are affected by this draw, consider the following steps:

1. Review your current work permit expiry and if necessary, prepare IMM 5710 early.
2. Speak with your employer about documentation needed to support any applications or extensions.
3. If you receive a provincial nomination, follow the federal checklist under the provincial nominee category, including medicals and biometrics where required.
4. Keep copies of all letters, receipts, and communications.
5. Report changes (job, address, family status) promptly to both Manitoba and federal authorities to avoid processing delays.

Warning: If your work permit is due to expire while you wait for a nomination or a federal decision, act early to avoid status gaps. Missing deadlines or failing to update authorities can cause delays or jeopardize eligibility.

Key takeaways

• Manitoba’s Draw #256 on October 23, 2025 issued just 29 invitations, the smallest of the year, signaling a targeted selection approach.
• The largest share—19 invitations—went to the Temporary Public Policy, emphasizing continuity for workers already in Manitoba workplaces.
• Small draws can be strategic: they align selection with immediate labour needs and community priorities rather than broad-based issuing.
• Candidates with current Manitoba jobs, employer connections, or community ties remain competitive under the Skilled Worker Stream.
• Employers and applicants should prepare for federal steps and possible work-permit extensions; official IRCC guidance and Manitoba’s EOI draw archive are the authoritative resources.

Manitoba’s October 23 round is a reminder that quality often beats quantity in immigration selection. A draw of 29 invitations is small on paper, but for the 19 workers supported under the policy pathway, it may be the bridge that keeps their job and their future in Manitoba on track. For the 10 others selected through employer, regional, Francophone, and ethnocultural avenues, the message is similar: the province is picking profiles that fit direct needs today, with long-term settlement in mind.