Thousands of temporary foreign workers in Canada’s Manitoba province could get a major opportunity to continue working in the country.
Under a new policy, around 2,700 eligible temporary foreign workers in Manitoba can apply for open work permits.
This includes some workers whose existing work permits have already expired or are about to expire.
Indian workers living and working in Manitoba may also benefit if they meet the eligibility conditions.
The permits are being issued under the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge (MWTB) public policy, which came into effect on July 6, 2026.
Who Can Get an Open Work Permit?
The new open work permits are mainly for workers who may be eligible for permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
Applicants must meet certain conditions to qualify.
One of the most important requirements is having a Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025.
The letter must confirm that the worker was assessed by the province and placed in the MPNP Expression of Interest (EOI) pool by that date.
Applicants must also provide an employment letter from their current employer.
Three Categories of Workers Are Covered
The policy covers three main groups of workers:
Workers who currently have a valid work permit
Workers whose permit was valid on May 7, 2024, but has expired since then
Workers who applied to renew their work permit on or before May 7, 2024 and have maintained their legal status
If an eligible Indian worker living in Manitoba meets these conditions, they can apply for an open work permit.
An open work permit is different from an employer-specific permit because it generally allows the holder to work for different employers in Canada, subject to the conditions of the permit.
Expired Permit Holders Can Also Get Relief
The new policy could be particularly helpful for workers whose permits have already expired.
Eligible workers can apply for an open work permit along with an extension of their temporary resident status.
Those whose status has expired may also be able to apply for restoration of status, provided they meet the policy requirements.
The policy also provides flexibility around some previous violations.
For example, certain eligible workers may still qualify even if they previously worked or studied without authorization or breached conditions attached to an earlier permit.
Those applying to restore their status may also qualify even if they missed the usual 90-day restoration deadline, provided they meet the specific requirements of the public policy.
A Major Opportunity for Eligible Indian Workers
For Indian temporary workers in Manitoba who meet the requirements, the policy could provide an important pathway to maintain their work status while pursuing their long-term immigration plans.
However, eligibility depends on meeting the specific conditions of the MWTB policy, including the required Manitoba support letter and employment documentation.
Workers should carefully check their eligibility and the latest IRCC requirements before submitting an application.
