Canada Offers Open Work Permits to 2,700 Manitoba Workers

Canada has enacted a temporary immigration program that may offer some relief to a maximum of 2,700 foreign workers in Manitoba whose work permits are expiring or running out of time, and thereby losing their legal status to work. The Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge (MWTB) public policy is a new policy that allows eligible temporary foreign workers to apply for open work permits and, in some cases, restoration of their temporary status if they are being considered for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The policy will be effective from 6th July 2026 and will expire on 31st December 2027, but may be withdrawn by the federal government at any time without notice.

Canada’s New Work Permit Measure for Manitoba

The new policy was implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to solve a particular issue for foreign citizens in Manitoba looking to provincial nomination but who have yet to receive one.

In the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, foreign workers are able to submit their applications to the province's Expression of Interest (EOI) pool and wait to be considered for nomination. This waiting time may, however, cause a problem with immigration status if the worker's current work permit expires before they receive a nomination or are eligible for another federal work permit option.

To fill that gap, the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge program has been created to enable eligible workers to immediately apply for an open work permit while they are still waiting to be considered for provincial nomination. The federal policy provides for up to 2,700 workers to benefit from the arrangement.

The policy was released on the federal government's website on 5 August 2026, but came into effect on 6 July 2026. The measure is backed by an agreement reached between Manitoba and IRCC, and comes on the heels of previous temporary measures that were implemented to assist provincial nominee candidates to stay in Canada with work authorization.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Express Entry Canada

Who Can Qualify for the New Open Work Permit?

This is not an open work permit program for all foreign workers in Manitoba. Requirements are based on certain provincial nomination conditions and immigration history.

One of the most important requirements is a Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025. The letter must include the following: the worker screened by Manitoba and placed in the MPNP Expression of Interest pool by that date. Additionally, the applicant should submit a letter of employment from their current employer.

Eligible applicants need to be in one of three work-permit situations as well.

1. Workers With a Valid Work Permit

The first category refers to foreigners who are already legally working in the country and have been granted a valid work permit and meet the other requirements of the MWTB.

This new open work permit will give these workers more time to work while their Manitoba immigration applications are being considered.

2. Workers Whose Permits Have Expired

The second category includes workers who had a valid work permit on 7th May 2024, but whose permits have since expired.

This is especially significant as it can put a foreign worker in a difficult situation if they lose their work authorization while awaiting a provincial nomination. The new policy provides qualifying workers the chance to apply for an open work permit and/or restoration of temporary resident status, where applicable.

3. Workers With Maintained Status

The third category consists of persons who have applied for renewal of their work permit on or before 7 May 2024 and who continue to hold their work permit.

While an application is being processed, temporary residents who are eligible for maintained status can stay in Canada under special circumstances. The MWTB is another qualification channel for those within this group who are qualified.

What Is the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge?

The Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge is a short-term public policy to help workers transition from one stage of Manitoba's immigration process to another.

If foreign workers in an EOI pool do not receive an invitation or provincial nomination prior to the expiration of their work authorization, they are usually limited in their choices. If the workers are already in an advanced stage of the immigration process, they might be able to use other work authorization methods, but those who remain in an EOI pool may be subjected to more uncertainty.

The MWTB is designed to serve as a stepping stone in the interim.

The policy extends the option of applying for an open work permit to those who are eligible, instead of only a work permit that is limited to a single employer. This can offer increased employment flexibility during candidates' permanent residence application process under Manitoba's nominee system.

Relief for Workers Who Lost Their Status

One of the interesting points of the policy is that it will be able to offer some relief to workers who are already facing temporary resident status loss.

Workers who are eligible and have a permit that has expired may apply for renewal of the permit. Some requirements that would otherwise make it difficult for a person to get a work permit in Canada are also waived under the policy.

In some cases, those applicants who are qualified to apply for a work permit may still be granted a work permit even if they previously:

• Worked or studied without permission.

• Failed to comply with the requirements of a previous permit.

• Did not meet some of the work-authorization requirements of the past.

In addition, the policy can offer relief for restoration in situations where an applicant failed to meet the usual 90-day restoration period or failed to meet some of the mandatory requirements imposed upon their prior authorization.

But not all foreign workers who have broken the rules of immigration are automatically eligible. Applicants will be required to meet the specific MWTB requirements, which include the Manitoba support letter and employment conditions.

Also Read: A Guide to Canada Visitor Visa from India

Why the New Policy Matters for Manitoba Workers?

The measure is a major deficiency in the provincial nominee program – the time between entering an EOI pool and getting a provincial nomination.

An EOI pool does not automatically grant permanent residence – being in an EOI pool does not mean a foreign worker has permanent residence in Manitoba, but that they are eligible for work in Manitoba.

In the meantime, if a work permit comes to an end, the worker could lose their authorization to work, even if they are still interested in the pathway to permanent residence in Manitoba.

This not only makes it difficult for the employees, but also for the employer. The loss of hundreds or thousands of skilled workers may impact enterprises that depend on foreign personnel to address the labour shortage.

The Manitoba government has also emphasized the need for immigration to the province's workforce, especially because of the federal government's reduction in immigration, which has impacted the number of provincial nominees Manitoba is able to accept.

Thus, the new measure offers temporary continuity to a well-defined group of workers while Manitoba and the federal government work out the larger provincial nomination system.

What the 2,700-Worker Limit Means?

Manitoba will issue support letters to eligible workers who already received support under the previous arrangements in 2024 or 2025. The new policy is not just an invitation to new candidates who were not included in any of those previous policies.

It is important to note this difference for foreign workers who may already be residing and working in Manitoba and lack a historical support letter.

The program is basically geared toward a pre-existing group of workers who were progressing through Manitoba's immigration process and may otherwise lose their work authorization.

Work Permit Relief Does Not Mean Automatic Permanent Residence

Foreign workers need to be aware that a foreign worker who is issued an open work permit under the MWTB is not automatically nominated by Manitoba or approved for permanent residence.

The policy gives temporary work permits to those who are eligible but are still completing the provincial immigration application process.

Applicants must continue to satisfy the requirements of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and go through the necessary steps to become permanent residents.

This is crucial because the MWTB is not a permanent residence stream, but rather a work-authorization and temporary residence process.

The policy aims to provide more time and legal work flexibility to a worker who is eligible for work during the process of their immigration case.

How the Policy Connects to Manitoba’s PNP?

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is a key component of the measure, since the key requirement is that applicants be screened by the province and placed in the province's EOI pool within the timeframe set.

The EOI system helps Manitoba identify candidates that may have the ability to address Manitoba's immigration priorities. But a place in the pool is not an invitation or nomination.

This leaves a window of opportunity for candidates.

The federal government's new measure acknowledges this and offers a temporary solution for some individuals to continue to work while they await their provincial immigration process to proceed.

Immigration industry sources say the policy is in response to previous temporary measures implemented when foreign workers were in a similar situation to pursue provincial nomination.

Policy Remains Valid Until December 2027

The Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge will continue until December 31, 2027.

But the applicant should not take it for granted that the policy will be offered to him until that time. The federal government has admitted that temporary public policies can be withdrawn at any moment without warning.

This does not mean that eligible workers should only pay attention to the end date of the policy; they need to stay up to date with official IRCC and Manitoba immigration updates.

The December 2027 deadline is an ongoing planned end date, rather than a guarantee that all applicants will be able to access the program until that time.

What Manitoba Foreign Workers Should Do?

Any worker who thinks he/she might meet the criteria should check to see if he/she does.

They should see if they have the necessary Manitoba support letter, and if it includes confirmation that they were screened and placed in the MPNP EOI pool by December 31, 2025.

Additionally, applicants must have employment confirmation from their current Manitoba employer.

Permit holders whose permits have expired should be especially aware of the rules relating to restoration of status and work authorization. People should not assume that submitting an application automatically means they have unlimited permission to work, as their immigration status can impact their ability to do so.

The most current eligibility requirements and applications are found from the Canadian government and Manitoba immigration authorities.

What This Means for Indian Workers in Canada?

The announcement could also apply to Indians who are currently residing and working in Manitoba and seeking permanent residence through the provincial nominee program.

Despite the present trend of adjusting permanent and temporary resident levels, Canada continues to be a significant destination for Indian students, skilled workers, and temporary residents, and immigration channels are becoming increasingly competitive.

The MWTB can offer valuable "extra time" for Indian workers in Manitoba who meet the very specific and limited criteria.

But only nationals of certain countries are eligible. In addition to all the requirements for other eligible foreign nationals, Indian nationals must also meet the same Manitoba support-letter, employment, work-permit, and MPNP-related requirements.

Also Read: Canada PR Visa Process: Requirements & More

A Temporary Solution Amid Changing Immigration Policies

At a time when immigration to Canada is facing larger changes in the system, the new Manitoba policy is being implemented.

The Federal Government has lowered immigration levels and implemented policies that are supposed to cap the number of temporary residents. The province's own 2026-27 planning documents highlight that federal immigration levels have impacted Manitoba's capacity to attract and retain skilled workers, and that Manitoba is still engaged in discussions with Ottawa regarding labour-market needs.

In this context, the MWTB is a targeted measure to avoid a particular class of established workers from becoming inactive in the labour market while they move up through the provincial nomination system.

It is not an overarching wider immigration policy change in Canada, and it is not an automatic pathway to permanent residence. Rather, it is a temporary stepping stone for workers who satisfy certain requirements.

Key Points at a Glance

• Up to 2,700 foreign workers will be eligible for open work permits in Manitoba with Canada.

• The measure is working within the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge public policy.

• The policy will be implemented on July 6, 2026.

• It's targeted at people who are eligible and are being considered by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

• Applicants must have a Manitoba support letter that is valid as of December 31, 2025.

• Applicants must also provide proof of employment.

• The policy applies to workers who have valid permits, some workers who have expired permits, and “qualifying” workers who have maintained status.

• Some eligible applicants may wish to apply for restoration of temporary resident status.

• Some past violations of the policy, study or permit conditions may be exempted.

• The measure will be in effect through December 31, 2027, or earlier if revoked.

Conclusion

Canada's targeted lifeline for foreign workers in Manitoba is to offer open work permits to up to 2,700 foreign workers. The Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge is especially important for eligible workers whose permits have expired or are in jeopardy of expiring as they continue to be on the MPNP Expression of Interest list. The policy will provide workers with the option to apply for open work permits and, in some instances, restoration of status, so they do not lose their ability to work and pursue immigration while waiting to be determined eligible for a work permit. The measure has certain eligibility requirements, however, and is not a guarantee of provincial nomination or permanent residency. As Canada's immigration system is constantly changing, affected workers are advised to check their eligibility and follow the official instructions from IRCC and Manitoba until December 2027.

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