Manitoba Broadens Work Permit Access For Sixteen Trades Jobs

Manitoba broadens work permit access for sixteen trades jobs, i.e., Manitoba employers across all industries can now support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled trades occupations under Manitoba’s Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP).

Sector-Exempt Occupations

Before this change, employers had to belong to certain approved sectors to support work permit extensions, no matter what job the worker held.

Manitoba has now removed Hospitality and Food Services from the list of eligible sectors. The remaining approved sectors are:

• Agriculture
• Construction and trades
• Information Technology
• Food processing
• Education
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing

Applications from Hospitality and Food Services employers received after February 4, 2026, will not be accepted unless the job is on the exempt occupation list.

The TRRP is an employer-driven work permit program. Through this program, businesses can support their workers’ permit extensions by applying on their behalf, often in as little as 60 days.

The TRRP does not require employers to advertise the job or obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This makes TRRP work permits easier and faster to access compared to those under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Who Can Apply Under The TRRP?

Both employers and employees must meet certain rules to apply under the TRRP.

Employer Eligibility

In addition to meeting the sector rules (unless exempt), employers must have a valid WRAPA registration certificate and show the following from the past three years:

• Active ownership and operation of a business in Manitoba (not home-based).
• At least $350,000 in yearly revenue.

Employers that are not eligible:

• Placement agencies that only supply workers to other businesses.
• Businesses that only hire owner-operators, self-employed workers, or independent contractors.
• Businesses planning to sell all or part of the business within two years.
• Employers on the ESDC/Service Canada suspension list.
• Employers fined under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP).

Eligible employers that meet the minimum requirements may apply to keep an existing temporary worker.

Approval is not guaranteed and depends on Manitoba’s economic and immigration priorities.

Employee Criteria

To be eligible under the TRRP, foreign workers must:

• Be between 21 and 45 years old (unless the employer requests otherwise).
• Have a valid work permit that will expire in less than one year, or be on maintained status.
• Currently live in Manitoba.
• Meet language requirements: CLB 5 for TEER 0–3 jobs and CLB 4 for TEER 4–5 jobs (in each skill area).
• Score at least 60 points on the MPNP assessment grid.
• Not be eligible under the temporary public policy for future PNP candidates.
• Not be supported by a Regional Immigration Initiative.

Employment Criteria (For The Worker/Position)

• The worker must have worked full-time for the approved employer for at least 18 months and must have a permanent, long-term job offer.
• The worker must have spent more than 50% of their time in Canada living in Manitoba (including time on visitor, study, or work permits).
• Wages and working conditions must be the same as those offered to Canadian citizens or permanent residents in similar jobs and must be at least the median wage for that job and region.
• If the job requires a license or certification, the worker must apply to the correct regulatory body for assessment or exams.

If the worker is in a TEER 4 or 5 job and earns less than the regional median wage, the employer must also:

• Pay the worker’s work permit fees; and
• Help the worker with settlement and integration support.

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