There is a final chance for Manitoba PNP candidates to get 2 year permit, i.e., the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) candidates whose work permits have expired or will expire soon have until December 16, 2025, at 12:59 a.m. EDT to apply for a Manitoba support letter.
With this support letter, eligible candidates can apply to the federal government for a two-year open work permit (OWP) under Canada’s Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates.
The MPNP shared this update on its official news page on December 4, 2025.
Eligibility Rules
To receive a Manitoba support letter under this temporary public policy, candidates must meet both MPNP’s rules and the federal government’s rules.
MPNP Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for an MPNP support letter, candidates must:
- Have had a valid MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile on January 15, 2025, and still have a valid profile
- Have a work permit that expired in 2024 or 2025, or one that will expire in 2025
- Have lived in Manitoba without interruption since before January 15, 2025
- Have a letter of employment from their current Manitoba employer
Federal Temporary Public Policy Requirements
In addition to meeting MPNP rules, candidates must meet one of these federal conditions:
- You have a valid work permit that will expire in 2025
- You had a work permit on May 7, 2024, but it has since expired, and you applied for either an extension of work authorization, an extension of temporary resident status, or restoration of status
- You had maintained status on May 7, 2024, and you submitted a work permit extension application before that date.
These applications must be approved or still in process.
If you meet all the above conditions, you can submit a support letter request through the MPNP’s online form.
This form closes on December 16 at 1 a.m. EDT, and no new applications will be accepted after this time.
It is important to note that even if you meet all requirements, Manitoba can still refuse to issue a support letter, as the province may limit how many letters it provides.
Applications for these special work permits are only open until December 31, 2025, which is when the federal temporary public policy is set to expire. It is not yet known whether the policy will be extended again.
When you apply for a Manitoba support letter, you must include:
- A copy of your EOI profile
- A letter of employment from your current employer
- One of the following:
- Your current work permit
- Proof of authorization to work
- Proof that on May 7, 2024, you had a valid work permit and had applied for restoration of temporary resident status
Once you receive a Manitoba support letter, you can apply for a work permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the temporary public policy for PNP candidates.
Foreign nationals who already hold a provincial nomination cannot use this policy.
This temporary public policy was first launched on August 11, 2024, and has been extended since then.
The policy was created to help provinces support PNP candidates who are working in the province but may lose their work status due to expiring permits.
How To Apply For The Special Two-Year Open Work Permit?
MPNP candidates must follow the steps below to apply for this special OWP.
Step 1: Read the instruction guide (5553) for applying for a work permit from inside Canada.
Step 2: Sign in to your IRCC Secure Account (or create one). Further, fill out the online questionnaire to get your personalized document checklist.
Step 3: You will be asked, “Does any of the following apply to you?” and you will see several options.
Select “Yes”, because you qualify under: I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.
Step 4: Fill out the application form using these details:
- Under Box 1 – What type of work permit are you applying for? select Open Work Permit.
- Under Box 4 – Job title and Brief description of duties, enter MBEOI2024 in both fields.
Step 5: Upload all the documents listed in your personalized checklist, including these extra documents:
- Passport copy
- Family information form (IMM 5705)
- Digital photo
- Manitoba support letter
- Copy of your current work permit (if you have one)
- Letter of employment from your current employer
For these items, employment reference letter, employment records, and employment contract, upload a page stating: “Not applicable.”
Step 6: Pay the required fees:
- Work permit fee: $155
- Open work permit holder fee: $100
- Restoration of status fee: $246.25 (only if needed)
Keep a copy of your receipt.
Step 7: Submit your application.
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