Manitoba continues to open its doors to international talent. In a recent selection round, the province invited a group of foreign skilled workers to apply for nomination through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). These invitations offer a real chance at permanent residency for those who meet the criteria — and at UW Immigration, we help you make the most of opportunities like this.

Let’s take a closer look at what happened in the latest draw and how it could apply to your journey.

What Happened in the May 29 Draw?

On May 29, 2025, the province invited 30 candidates under its Skilled Worker Overseas stream. These individuals were chosen based on their professional experience, scoring within the program’s points system, and participation in strategic recruitment efforts.

To be considered, candidates needed:

• A score of at least 606 points on Manitoba’s scale

• A valid invitation from a strategic recruitment initiative

Among the 30 chosen, five candidates also had active Express Entry profiles and provided job seeker validation codes, giving them additional leverage.

Why You Might Miss an Invitation — Even with a High Score

Sometimes, even strong applicants don’t receive an invitation. This can happen if:

• The language test results were missing or expired

• A recruitment initiative invitation number wasn’t included properly in the Expression of Interest (EOI)

These issues are easy to overlook, but they can affect your eligibility. At UW Immigration, our job is to help make sure your documents, scores, and profile entries are not only correct but well-aligned with program standards.

What Are Strategic Recruitment Initiatives?

Strategic recruitment initiatives are Manitoba-led efforts to connect employers with skilled workers. Through these, the province identifies people with expertise in sectors that are short on labor. Employers then nominate individuals who match their staffing needs.

For you, this could mean a direct pathway to permanent residency—and potentially, a job lined up before arrival. If you’re exploring options like this, UW Immigration can help guide you through the process, from outreach to successful nomination.

Manitoba’s Nomination Numbers for 2025

This year, Manitoba’s nomination quota was reduced due to a broader federal decision to cut down on PNP admissions. The province now has 4,750 nomination spots available for the entire year.

As of now, 1,840 spots have already been used. That leaves only 2,910 places for the rest of 2025 — which means timing is everything.

Some provinces are working with the federal government to boost their allocations. It’s unclear whether Manitoba will follow that path, but the window of opportunity is still open.