Manitoba expands options for TRRP

Manitoba employers across all sectors can now support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled occupations under Manitoba’s Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP).

Occupations exempt from sector requirements

Occupation title	NOC code
Agricultural Equipment Technician	72401
Motor vehicle body and collision technicians	73202
Automotive refinishing technicians	73202
Automotive Service Technician	72410
Boilermakers	72304
Heavy equipment technicians	72401
Instrumentation and control technicians	72201
Landscape horticulturists	22114
Parts technicians	72410
Recreational vehicle service technician	72410
Transport trailer technicians	72410
Truck and transport mechanics	72410
Aircraft maintenance engineers	72404
Diesel engine mechanics	72410
Railway car technicians	72403
Water and wastewater technicians	22101

Prior to this change, employers had to belong to one of the eligible sectors to support an extension work permit, regardless of the worker’s occupation.

Manitoba has also removed the Hospitality and Food Services sector from the list of eligible sectors, so eligible sectors now include only:

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

Applications from employers in the Hospitality and Food Services sector submitted after 4 February 2026 will not be accepted, unless in an exempt occupation.

The TRRP is an employer-driven work permit programme. Under the TRRP, businesses can support work permit extensions for workers by submitting applications on their behalf for a minimum period of 60 days.

The TRRP does not require employers to advertise the position publicly or apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), making TRRP work permits more accessible than those issued under Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Who can apply under the TRRP?

Both employers and workers must meet eligibility criteria to apply for a work permit through the TRRP.

Employer eligibility criteria

In addition to meeting the sector requirements (unless exempt), employers must hold a valid WRAPA Registration Certificate and demonstrate the following conditions for the three years prior to applying:

• Actively owning and operating a non-home-based business in Manitoba
• Minimum annual revenue of CAD$350,000

The following employers are ineligible:

• Employment agencies that only supply workers to other businesses on demand.
• Businesses that only contract or hire business owners, self-employed individuals, or independent contractors.
• Businesses intending to sell all or part of the business within 2 years.
• Employers listed on the suspension list of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada.
• Employers penalised for non-compliance under the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP).

Eligible employers meeting the minimum requirements may apply to retain workers who are current temporary residents. Approval is not guaranteed. Selection depends on Manitoba’s economic and immigration priorities.

Worker eligibility criteria

To be eligible under the TRRP, foreign workers must:

• Be aged 21–45 (unless otherwise requested by the employer).
• Hold a valid work permit expiring in less than 1 year from the pilot application date, or be in maintained status.
• Reside in Manitoba.
• Meet language proficiency criteria: minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0–3; minimum CLB 4 for TEER 4–5 (per skill according to the CLB chart).
• Score a minimum of 60 points on the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Programme (MPNP) points grid (see Points Assessment page).
• Not be eligible under the “Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Programme Candidates”.
• Not be nominated by a Regional Immigration Initiative.

Employment criteria (for workers/positions)

Workers must have worked full-time for an approved employer for at least 18 months and have a long-term, continuous, and stable job offer.

Workers must have spent more than 50% of their time in Canada in Manitoba (including time spent on visitor, study, and work permits).

Wages and working conditions must be comparable to those offered to citizens and permanent residents in similar positions, and at least equal to the prevailing median wage for the occupation and region (by NOC code; trend analysis Job Bank).

If the occupation requires licensing or certification, applicants must apply to the regulatory body for assessment and/or certification testing.

Additionally, if workers are in occupations classified under TEER 4 or 5 of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) and their wage is below the regional median, employers must consider additional support, including:

• Paying the worker’s work permit fee
• Provide reasonable support to help workers integrate and settle