Manitoba’s Temporary Work Permit Policy Is Wrapping Up

Manitoba has now confirmed the key date: Support Letter applications will only be accepted until Monday, December 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. After that, the online form closes, and the door shuts.

So What’s Actually Ending Here? 

The policy isn’t ending all at once, there are two different cutoff dates to keep in mind. 

• Manitoba’s part of the process ends December 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. That’s the absolute last moment you can submit a Support Letter request.

• IRCC’s deadline is December 31, 2025. The federal government will still accept work permit applications under this policy until the end of the year. 

As a reminder: Manitoba handles the Support Letter, but the actual work permit application is submitted separately to IRCC. 

A Quick Refresher: What Was Manitoba’s Temporary Work Policy Again? 

Back on April 22, 2025, Manitoba opened applications for Support Letters under a public policy announcement. The whole idea was simple enough, at least on paper: 

Workers whose permits expired in 2024 or 2025, or were about to expire, needed a way to stay employed while continuing their PNP journey. Instead of scrambling for employer-specific LMIA routes or LMIA-exempt routes, eligible candidates could apply for a two-year Manitoba-specific work permit extension. 

When the policy was first announced, Manitoba’s Immigration Minister, Malaya Marcelino, framed it as a way to bring stability to people already contributing to the province. It was meant as a bridge – steady, practical, and frankly a bit of a lifesaver for people who were relying on pending applications and dealing with expiring permits at the same time. 

Who Was This Policy Designed For? 

If you were a prospective MPNP candidate with expiring status and real ties to the province, Manitoba wanted to help keep you working. 

You qualify if you fit one of these general scenarios: 

• Your work permit was valid but expiring in 2025

• Or you had a permit that was valid on May 7, 2024, and later expired, but you submitted one of the following:

• A new work permit application under section 200

• An extension of temporary resident status under section 181

• A restoration request under section 182

• Or you were authorized to work under R186(u) on May 7, 2024, with either a pending or approved extension, and you also applied for a new permit or an extension of TR status. 

That’s the regulatory backbone. But Manitoba also added a set of province-focused conditions: 

• You had a valid MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) profile on January 15, 2025, and still have one today

• You were living in Manitoba before January 15, 2025, and haven’t packed up and left

• You’re currently working for a Manitoba employer who can provide a letter of employment

• You intend to stay in Manitoba as a permanent resident 

Essentially, the policy aims to help candidates who are already living, working, and steadily building their future in Manitoba. 

How Does the Application Work? 

To apply, candidates must submit: 

• A letter of employment

• Proof of their current or previous work authorization

• Their MPNP Expression of Interest profile 

Nothing earth-shattering, but losing one document in your downloads folder could derail the whole thing. And incomplete applications are not approved, which adds a bit of pressure.

Now That the Deadline Is Approaching, What Should You Do?

If you’re eligible and haven’t applied yet, this is your moment. There’s no time to wait-and-see as the portal closes December 15. 

And if you’re already holding a Support Letter or have your federal application underway, take a breath. IRCC will continue processing everything received before December 31. 

For those who don’t qualify or missed the window, it’s not the end of the road. It just means your strategy changes – maybe toward employer pathways, future MPNP draws, or restoring status if needed. While this policy is ending, Manitoba’s broader immigration programs continue, giving applicants other avenues to consider depending on their situation.  

And there’s a bit of good news tucked into Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. With higher PNP allocations on the way, Manitoba may have more room to select candidates through its regular MPNP draws. 

Final Thoughts 

This temporary policy helped many workers stay in Manitoba, keep their jobs, and push forward toward permanent residency. It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t meant to last forever. But it filled a gap at a time when many people were hanging on by threads of implied status and expiring permits. If you’re feeling uneasy about the deadline, you’re certainly not alone. Immigration processes can change direction fast, and that uncertainty can weigh on anyone.  

The best thing you can do now? Submit what you need to submit, stay informed, and keep planning your next step. Even as this temporary policy wraps up, and while there may not be a clear pathway for everyone right now, staying informed can help you understand your options as new updates roll out. 

If you want to stay ahead of program updates in Manitoba and across Canada’s PNPs, join the Moving2Canada community.