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Dear future neighbour,

Manitoba held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on September 4, 2025. This round was one of the largest of the year, with a total of 3,347 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) issued to candidates who can now move one step closer to permanent residency in Canada.

Breakdown of Invitations

The invitations were distributed across three streams:

• Skilled Worker Stream – 15 invitations (cutoff score: 844)

• Skilled Worker in Manitoba – 1,466 invitations

• International Education Stream – 1,866 invitations

The numbers show a clear trend: while the Skilled Worker Stream remains highly competitive and selective, Manitoba continues to prioritize candidates who are already living, studying, or working in the province.

How this compares to previous draws

Just a few weeks earlier, on August 21, 2025, Manitoba issued 77 invitations under the Skilled Worker Stream with a minimum score of 612 points. That draw was much smaller but highlighted Manitoba’s use of strategic recruitment initiatives, which are targeted invitations designed to address very specific needs in the province’s labor market and communities.

Understanding Strategic Recruitment Initiatives

Strategic recruitment is one of the most unique aspects of the Manitoba PNP. Rather than relying solely on scores, the province can invite candidates who are most likely to settle successfully and contribute to its economy and culture. Here’s how these initiatives usually work:

• Employer Services: Candidates with job offers from approved Manitoba employers may be invited directly, ensuring that local businesses can fill urgent labor shortages.

• Francophone Community: Manitoba has a strong French-speaking population. Inviting Francophone candidates helps strengthen bilingual communities and align with Canada’s federal priorities for Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

• Regional Communities: Manitoba wants to ensure growth beyond Winnipeg. By targeting candidates who are willing to live and work in smaller cities or rural areas, the province promotes balanced population distribution.

• Ethnocultural Communities: Some invitations go to candidates with cultural or community connections in Manitoba. This makes settlement easier since newcomers already have social networks to support them.

These recruitment categories demonstrate that Manitoba looks beyond just scores and actively seeks people who will fit well into the province’s workforce and communities.

What This Means for Applicants

The September 4 draw confirms two important trends:

1. High scores are essential for the Skilled Worker Stream, where competition is tough and cutoffs can reach well into the 800s.

2. Local connections matter. International graduates, current workers in Manitoba, and candidates engaged with communities have much stronger chances of being invited.

For anyone considering applying to the Manitoba PNP, building strong ties whether through study, employment, or community involvement can be just as valuable as maintaining a high score in the Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

Final Thoughts

Manitoba continues to balance its immigration goals by bringing in highly skilled professionals while also supporting international graduates and fostering growth in smaller communities. With over 3,300 invitations issued in this latest round, the province shows no sign of slowing down its efforts to attract new residents who can contribute to its diverse economy and society.