Maple News reports that the federal government will issue open work permits to up to 2,700 temporary foreign workers in Manitoba, including individuals who have fallen out of status or are at risk of losing their authorization to work in Canada. The measure operates under the temporary Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge public policy (MWTB) and targets provincial nominee candidates who hold Manitoba support letters.
The MWTB policy was published on the federal government’s website on August 5, 2026 and takes effect retroactively to July 6, 2026. It is designed to support foreign nationals who are under consideration for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
To apply under the MWTB, applicants must submit a letter of employment from their current employer and a Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025, with the letter indicating the applicant was screened by the province and placed in the MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) pool by that date.
Eligible individuals must fall into one of three situations: (1) valid work permit remains in force; (2) expired work permit — the person held a valid permit on May 7, 2024 that has since expired; or (3) maintained status — the person applied to renew a work permit on or before May 7, 2024 and has maintained status.
Qualified candidates can submit an application for an open work permit and, at the same time, apply to extend their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident. Those in the expired-permit category also have the option to apply for restoration of temporary resident status.
Under the MWTB, applicants are exempt from some normally required conditions to apply for a work permit from within Canada, such as the need to already hold an existing work permit or study permit. The policy’s aim is to provide a lifeline to skilled workers in Manitoba while preserving the integrity of the province’s nomination process.