Manitoba held its fifth Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw of 2026 on March 12, 2026. This round was limited to Skilled Worker candidates who confirmed they were directly invited by Manitoba under a strategic recruitment initiative (or the province’s temporary support-letter policy that recently ended).
Official draw notice: Expression of Interest Draw #266 (MPNP).
Draw results: EOI Draw #266
Manitoba issued a total of 46 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under the Skilled Worker Stream (Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas).
The draw notice confirms candidates were considered only if they declared a direct invitation through a strategic recruitment initiative or via the temporary public policy support-letter route. MPNP Draw #266 details.
How the 46 LAAs were distributed
Manitoba’s draw notice lists the LAAs issued under each strategic recruitment initiative:
- Employer Services: 17
- Francophone Community: 12
- Ethnocultural Communities: 9
- Regional Communities: 6
- Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective PNP Candidates (TPP): 2
Source: MPNP EOI Draw #266 notice.
Express Entry-linked candidates in this draw
Manitoba also notes that 5 of the 46 LAAs were issued to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code. MPNP Draw #266 (Express Entry detail).
Why some candidates who “match the criteria” did not receive an LAA
The MPNP explains two common reasons a candidate may meet the selection conditions but still not receive an invitation in a draw like this:
- The candidate declared they took an approved English/French test but did not enter a valid test number, or the results were expired.
- The candidate declared they were invited under a strategic recruitment initiative, but the invitation number entered was not valid.
Source: MPNP Draw #266 (MPNP explanation).
Important context: Manitoba ended its “prospective PNP candidate” support-letter policy in December 2025
The draw references the temporary public policy pathway for prospective PNP candidates (support letters for a special open work permit). Manitoba officially announced the conclusion of its participation, stating it would accept applications until December 15, 2025 and close the online submission form on December 16, 2025. MPNP: conclusion of the temporary public policy (Dec 2025).
For readers who want to understand what that federal work permit looked like (in general terms), IRCC’s official page is here: IRCC: open work permit for prospective PNP candidates (support letter).
Where to follow future Manitoba draws
Manitoba posts all official EOI draws in one place. If you are tracking changes (draw size, eligible groups, and notes), use the province’s archive:
If you want a Manitoba-focused overview for planning (requirements, streams, and what “Skilled Worker in Manitoba” usually means), you can start here: Skilled worker options in Manitoba.
FAQ
What is an LAA in the Manitoba PNP?
An LAA (Letter of Advice to Apply) is Manitoba’s invitation that allows an eligible candidate in the EOI system to submit a full application to the MPNP. Manitoba posts this language directly in its draw notices. MPNP EOI draws archive.
Was this draw open to all EOI candidates?
No. Manitoba limited this draw to candidates who declared they were directly invited under a strategic recruitment initiative (or via the referenced temporary public policy pathway). MPNP Draw #266 selection notes.
I selected the right stream but didn’t get an invitation. What should I check first?
Manitoba specifically flags missing/invalid language test numbers (or expired results) and invalid strategic recruitment invitation numbers as common causes. MPNP Draw #266 (why you may not receive an LAA).
Reality check
Manitoba PNP draws can be highly targeted. Even if your score is strong, you may not be considered if you do not have a valid strategic recruitment invitation number, valid language test details, or the specific eligibility condition Manitoba is prioritizing in that round. The safest approach is to keep your EOI accurate and updated, and only rely on official Manitoba draw notices when planning timelines.
