On April 17, 2025, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held a new selection round focused on attracting international talent to meet the province’s labor market needs. This draw targeted skilled worker visa candidates currently living outside of Canada and extended 27 letters of advice to apply under the Skilled Worker Overseas stream.
To be eligible for this draw, candidates had to meet all the standard requirements of the Skilled Worker Overseas stream and receive a direct invitation from the MPNP through a strategic recruitment initiative. They also needed a minimum ranking score of 621. Of those invited, three candidates had valid express entry profiles and job seeker validation codes.
In a related move, the province also extended invitations to individuals already working in Manitoba who had declared themselves fully licensed in regulated professions, reflecting the province’s commitment to retaining qualified talent already contributing to its workforce.
Understanding Strategic Recruitment Initiatives
Strategic recruitment initiatives are designed to help Manitoba employers address persistent labor shortages by identifying and recruiting international candidates who match their workforce needs. To participate, employers must meet the province’s eligibility criteria for job offers and complete the ABC recruitment process. Once approved, they can submit candidate profiles to Manitoba’s Employer Services.
To qualify for consideration under a strategic recruitment initiative, candidates must:
- Be between 21 and 45 years old (unless otherwise requested by the employer)
- Have post-secondary education relevant to the job, or in some cases, sufficient on-the-job training
- Possess at least two years of full-time, relevant work experience in the last five years
- Demonstrate language proficiency that meets Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements: CLB 5 for TEER 0–3 jobs and CLB 4 for TEER 4–5 roles
- Score at least 60 points on the MPNP assessment grid
Preference is typically given to candidates who plan to settle outside the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. Applicants with strong ties to other Canadian provinces, such as previous work or study experience elsewhere, may be considered a retention risk and could face additional scrutiny.
How Pilkington Immigration Can Help
Navigating the Skilled Worker Overseas stream and Manitoba’s strategic recruitment initiatives can be complex. The immigration lawyers at Pilkington Immigration can help assess your skilled worker visa eligibility, explain the program requirements, and guide you through the application process if you’re invited to apply. Contact us today for experienced support with your next steps.