Manitoba Limits Invitations for Skilled Worker Overseas: What Are the Opportunities for Foreign Workers?
On May 29, 2025, the province of Manitoba (Canada) conducted a draw under the Skilled Worker Overseas category under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). However, the number of invitations issued in this draw was only 30 – showing that the trend of tightening foreign worker immigration is becoming clear.
In the context of Canada drastically cutting down on provincial nominee program (PNP) immigration quotas, understanding correctly and having a specific strategy is vital for foreign workers who wish to settle in Canada.
Manitoba selects only 30 Skilled Worker Overseas candidates – Conditions are getting stricter
According to the announcement from the MPNP, candidates invited in the May 29 draw must meet two conditions at the same time:
- Have a minimum score of 606 on the MPNP points scale.
- Must have an invitation to participate in Strategic Recruitment Initiatives.
Notably, of the total 30 invitations issued, only 5 candidates had an Express Entry profile and a job seeker validation code. This clearly reflects that Express Entry is no longer the only or strong pathway without a specific provincial link.
How should Canada's immigration strategy change?
As Canadian immigration consultants with over 10 years of experience, we have found that foreign workers need to adjust their approach immediately if they want to be successful in applying for Skilled Worker Overseas immigration. Here are three key points:
1. Prioritize strategic recruitment programs
Strategic Recruitment Initiatives are provincially run programs that work with local employers to match job openings to local needs. Only candidates who have been invited to apply through these programs will be entered into the draw.
Therefore, foreign workers need to proactively learn about and register to participate in recruitment initiatives organized by Manitoba, instead of just submitting an EOI and waiting.
2. The profile must be absolutely accurate.
MPNP said that some candidates with high scores were still not invited due to incorrect or missing important information such as:
- The language test code is invalid or has expired.
- No official invitation code provided from strategic recruitment program.
In a competitive environment, even the smallest mistake can result in your application being rejected.
3. Express Entry is no longer an absolute advantage
Only 5 of the 30 candidates selected had Express Entry profiles – indicating that the province prefers candidates with direct links to Manitoba over generic profiles in the federal system. This is an important signal that foreign workers need to understand so as not to waste time and have false expectations.
Why is Manitoba tightening its selection?
In 2025, Manitoba will be allocated just 4,750 nominations – a drop of nearly 50% compared to previous years. To date, 1,840 nominations have been issued, meaning there are fewer than 3,000 spots available for the remaining 7 months of the year.
Due to the limited quota, Manitoba is forced to focus on applications that are strategic and aligned with labour needs. Candidates who do not have a connection to the province or do not participate in a strategic recruitment program are unlikely to be selected.
Advice from immigration experts
During the period when Canada adjusts its immigration policy, foreign workers who want to settle successfully need to:
- Proactively learn about and participate in Manitoba's strategic recruiting initiatives.
- Build accurate, clear and strategic profiles that meet specific provincial requirements.
- Don't rely on the Express Entry system without a real connection to the province.
- Regularly updated quotas and policy changes from federal and provincial governments.
Conclusion
Immigrating to Canada as a Skilled Worker Overseas is no longer a game for the masses. In the context of tightening immigration policies, only those with proper preparation, the right strategy and real connections with the province have a chance to succeed.
If you are looking for a clear settlement path that is suitable for the new situation, contact TTN immigration to be consulted by a team of experienced experts who understand policies and update the latest Canadian settlement trends.
