Canada: Open Work Permit Eligibility for Manitoba Prospective Provincial Nominees Introduced

The government of Canada has introduced the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge temporary public policy to help the province retain skilled foreign workers who are already contributing to its workforce. The measure targets workers identified as potential candidates for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Under the policy, up to 2,700 eligible temporary workers may obtain an open work permit, allowing them to work for most employers in Canada while they transition toward permanent residence.  

To qualify, applicants must generally:  

• • have received a support letter from the government of Manitoba issued on or before December 31, 2025, confirming that they were screened by the province and placed in the MPNP Expression of Interest pool by that date;  
  • be currently employed in Manitoba and provide a letter of employment from their current employer;  
  • hold a valid work permit, held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024 that has since expired, or have been authorized to continue working on that date after timely filing a work permit renewal application; and  
  • submit the required work permit application and application to extend or, where applicable, restore their temporary resident status, among other standard immigration eligibility and admissibility requirements. 

The public policy is scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2027, unless revoked earlier. Interested applicants and employers should consult the government’s website for complete eligibility criteria, application requirements and applicable exemptions. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.