| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Draw Number | #275 |
| Draw Date | July 16, 2026 |
| Program | Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) |
| Total Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) | 2,146 |
| LAAs with Express Entry profile | 825 |
| IES – Graduate Internship Pathway | 78 LAAs |
| Skilled Worker in Manitoba (Occupation-Specific) | 24 LAAs (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102) |
| Francophone Selection | 84 LAAs |
| Completed Post-Secondary Study in Manitoba | 1,874 LAAs (lowest score: 825) |
| Skilled Worker Stream (Strategic Recruitment) | 86 LAAs |
Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program ran its 275th Expression of Interest draw on July 16, 2026. The draw issued 2,146 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) across five separate selection streams. This is not a federal Express Entry draw. It is a Manitoba-specific draw that can feed into the Express Entry system.
Of the 2,146 LAAs issued, 825 went to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. If you hold one of those 825 nominations, your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score gets a 600-point boost, which virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next federal Express Entry draw.
The remaining LAAs went to candidates without an active Express Entry profile. Those candidates would apply directly to Manitoba through the provincial stream rather than through the federal Express Entry pool.
What Happened, Explained Simply
Draw #275 was not a single-category draw. Manitoba ran five separate selection streams simultaneously, each targeting a different group of candidates. The streams were: the International Education Stream Graduate Internship Pathway (IES-GIP), occupation-specific selection for physicians, Francophone selection, completed post-secondary study in Manitoba, and strategic recruitment initiatives under the Skilled Worker Stream.
The biggest stream by far was the Completed Post-Secondary Study in Manitoba selection, which issued 1,874 LAAs. The lowest-ranked candidate in that stream had a score of 825 out of a possible 1,000. That figure is the MPNP ranking score, not a federal CRS score. Manitoba uses its own points grid to rank candidates in its Expression of Interest pool.
The occupation-specific selection was narrow and targeted. Only candidates currently employed in Manitoba in one of three NOC 2021 unit groups qualified: NOC 31100 (specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine), NOC 31101 (specialists in surgery), and NOC 31102 (general practitioners and family physicians). Just 24 LAAs were issued in this stream. Manitoba is clearly trying to fill a specific gap in its healthcare workforce.
The Francophone selection issued 84 LAAs to candidates who declared French as their language of communication with the MPNP and who held a valid French language test result. This stream supports Manitoba's goal of growing its Francophone communities outside of Winnipeg.
Under the Skilled Worker Stream, 86 LAAs went to candidates directly invited by the MPNP through strategic recruitment initiatives. These candidates came through five sub-categories: Employer Services (32), Ethnocultural Communities (17), Francophone Community (11), Regional Communities (8), and the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits (TPP) (18). You cannot self-nominate for these. The MPNP reaches out to you directly.
What Does an MPNP Score of 825 Mean?
The 825 figure is the lowest score among the 1,874 candidates invited in the Completed Post-Secondary Study in Manitoba stream. The MPNP uses its own ranking grid, which is separate from the federal CRS. Understanding what builds a competitive MPNP score helps you know whether your profile is in a good position for future draws.
| MPNP Score Factor | Max Points |
|---|---|
| Language ability (English or French) | 175 |
| Education | 200 |
| Work experience | 200 |
| Manitoba connections (job offer, study, family) | 300 |
| Adaptability factors | 125 |
| Express Entry profile declared | Bonus |
| Total possible | 1,000 |
A score of 825 out of 1,000 is high. To reach that level in the post-secondary study stream, a candidate likely holds a Manitoba post-secondary credential, has strong language scores, has Canadian or relevant work experience, and declared an Express Entry profile. The Manitoba connection alone, specifically completing a degree or diploma in the province, can add significant points to a profile.
If your current MPNP score sits below 825, you are not automatically excluded from future draws. Cutoffs shift from draw to draw depending on how many profiles are in the pool. If MPNP issues fewer invitations in a future draw, the cutoff could rise. If they invite more candidates, it could fall. Watch each draw carefully and update your profile whenever your circumstances change.
What This Means For You
If your MPNP score is 825 or above and you completed post-secondary education in Manitoba, you may have received an LAA in this draw. Check your MPNP online profile for any notification. Letters are delivered through the online portal, not by email alone.
If your score is close to 825 but you were not selected, there are concrete steps you can take to improve your score. Retaking a language test to improve your CLB level, completing additional credentials, or gaining more Manitoba-based work experience can all push your score higher. Even a modest increase of 20 to 30 points can make a difference when draw cutoffs fluctuate.
If you are a physician currently working in Manitoba and your NOC code falls under 31100, 31101, or 31102, this draw was one of the most targeted opportunities available to you. Only 24 LAAs were issued in that stream. If you work in one of those occupations and were not invited, review your profile carefully. The MPNP notes that a missing or invalid language test number is one of the most common reasons eligible candidates do not receive an LAA.
If you speak French and hold a valid French language test result, the Francophone stream remains one of the more accessible pathways in Manitoba draws. It issued 84 LAAs this round. Update your MPNP profile to declare French as your language of communication with the MPNP if you have not already done so.
✅ If You Got an LAA, What To Do Now
Congratulations. Receiving a Letter of Advice to Apply is a significant milestone. You now have a limited window to submit a full application to the MPNP. Here is exactly what to do.
- Check your stream's specific requirements: Each stream has different documentation rules. IES-GIP candidates need proof of a Manitoba master or doctoral degree completed within the past 3 years and proof of a completed Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship. Post-secondary study candidates need a diploma and transcript showing they or their spouse completed a program in Manitoba. Read your LAA notification carefully.
- Verify you actually meet the criteria before applying: The MPNP is explicit on this point. If you cannot provide documents proving you meet the selection criteria, consider declining the LAA. Submitting an incomplete or ineligible application wastes your time and can affect your standing with the program.
- Gather your language test results: IES-GIP candidates must demonstrate a minimum CLB/NCLC 7. Make sure your language test is valid and the test number is correctly entered in your profile. An expired test is a disqualifying issue.
- Collect employment and licensing documents: If you are in a regulated occupation, you need proof that you hold the required Manitoba licence and are actively employed in that occupation. The MPNP can refuse applications where candidates cannot demonstrate full licensure.
- Keep your job and your status in Manitoba: Do not quit your job or let your work permit expire while your application is being processed. Your Manitoba connection is what qualified you. Losing it could jeopardize your nomination.
- Submit your full application within the deadline: The MPNP sets a specific submission deadline in your LAA. Missing it means losing the invitation. Log into your MPNP account, complete the online application, and upload all required documents before the deadline shown.
- If nominated, link your nomination to your Express Entry profile: Once Manitoba nominates you, IRCC will add 600 points to your federal CRS score. That score boost virtually guarantees an ITA in the next federal Express Entry draw. You have 60 days from receiving an ITA to submit your full permanent residence application to IRCC.
📈 If You Didn't Get an LAA
Not receiving an LAA in this draw does not mean your profile is inactive or ineligible. Manitoba draws happen regularly, and the cutoff score for the post-secondary study stream changes each time. Your profile stays in the pool as long as it is valid and up to date.
First, check your profile for technical errors. The MPNP lists two specific reasons why eligible candidates sometimes miss an invitation: a missing or invalid language test number, or a missing or invalid strategic recruitment invitation number. Log in and review every section. These are fixable issues that could be costing you an LAA right now.
Second, consider the Francophone stream if you speak French. Francophone selection issued 84 LAAs in this draw. If you have French language ability and hold a valid test result from an approved test like the TEF Canada or TCF Canada, update your profile to reflect this. Declaring French as your communication language with the MPNP is a required step, not automatic.
Third, look at your Manitoba connections. The post-secondary study stream had the largest allocation in this draw by far, with 1,874 LAAs. If you or your spouse are currently studying or have recently studied in Manitoba, make sure your profile accurately reflects this. A diploma or transcript from a Manitoba institution is a powerful score booster.
Fourth, if you are a healthcare professional, specifically a physician, surgeon, or specialist, check whether your NOC 2021 code matches 31100, 31101, or 31102. Manitoba specifically targeted these groups with 24 dedicated LAAs. If you work in one of these roles and are fully licensed in Manitoba, make sure your profile clearly states your current Manitoba employment and licence status.
You can also explore other provincial nominee programs or the federal Express Entry system directly. IRCC's Express Entry eligibility page explains which federal programs you can qualify for based on your experience and education. The IRCC immigration homepage also links to all current pathways to permanent residence.
FAQ
What is an MPNP LAA and is it the same as a federal ITA?
No. A Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) is issued by Manitoba. It invites you to submit a full application to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. A federal Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued by IRCC through Express Entry and invites you to apply for permanent residence directly. If Manitoba nominates you after receiving your LAA, that nomination adds 600 CRS points, which then typically leads to a federal ITA.

I completed a degree in Manitoba but my score is below 825. Will I ever get invited?
Possibly, yes. The cutoff of 825 applied to this specific draw. Future draws may have a different cutoff depending on the number of profiles in the pool, how many LAAs Manitoba decides to issue, and the makeup of eligible candidates at the time. Keep your profile active, update it whenever your situation changes, and watch for future draws.
What is the Graduate Internship Pathway and who qualifies?
The IES Graduate Internship Pathway (GIP) is for international graduates who completed a master or doctoral degree in Manitoba within the past 3 years and completed a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship with an eligible Manitoba industry and research partner. You also need a minimum CLB/NCLC 7 language score. In Draw #275, 78 LAAs were issued through this pathway. More details are available at immigratemanitoba.com.
Why were only physicians invited in the occupation-specific stream?
Manitoba's occupation-specific selection targets NOC groups based on provincial labour market needs at the time of each draw. In Draw #275, the province chose to focus on NOC 31100 (specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine), NOC 31101 (specialists in surgery), and NOC 31102 (general practitioners and family physicians). Only 24 LAAs were issued. Occupation-specific selections are not held every draw, and the targeted NOC groups can change each time.
What happens if I received an LAA but I cannot prove I meet the criteria?
The MPNP advises you to decline the LAA. This applies to IES-GIP candidates who cannot prove their Mitacs internship or Manitoba degree, post-secondary study candidates whose spouse did not actually complete a program in Manitoba, and regulated occupation candidates who are not fully licensed. Submitting a full application when you do not meet the criteria can result in refusal and may affect your ability to re-apply. Declining is the honest and practical choice in this situation.
Sources: Government of Canada (canada.ca), Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (immigratemanitoba.com), IRCC Help Centre. Last verified: July 20, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.
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