Manitoba Extends Work Permits for 6,700 Temporary Residents

Policy Update:

– Manitoba has successfully received a new public policy on work permit extensions from Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

=> The new policy will provide open work permits (OWPs) to 6,700 eligible temporary workers in the province whose work permits expire in 2024.

=> Manitoba needs these temporary residents (with work permits) to meet the province’s labor needs.

Students with PGWPs:

+ Eligible to apply for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) + Submitting a valid MPNP EOI application before May 10, 2024, will be granted an Open Work Permit (OWP).

=> This temporary policy will allow students to have an OWP with a maximum validity of 2 years in Manitoba.

=> Details on how to apply under this policy have not yet been released.

– Minister Miller anticipates that applicants will receive official nominations from Manitoba and become permanent residents within the next 2 years.

=> Based on this statement, we can predict that the OWP will be issued for two years until 2026.

Manitoba’s Urgent Support for Expiring WPs:

– In addition to securing the temporary policy from IRCC, the MPNP has recently enhanced its support for temporary residents with expiring or near-expiring work permits.

– Effective April 26, 2024, Manitoba will prioritize processing MPNP applications for the following:

+ Graduating students: Those who have PGWPs and other WPs nearing expiry.

+ Workers with expiring WPs: Those currently working in Manitoba with expiring WPs.

=> To ensure priority, MPNP applicants with expiring or soon-to-expire WPs must notify the MPNP by completing an online form for Skilled Workers.