On August 27, 2026, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its 278th Expression of Interest (EOI) draw, issuing a total of 741 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA). This was the 17th selection round of 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to 5,616 LAAs.
How Manitoba's EOI system works
MPNP operates on an Expression of Interest model: eligible candidates create an online profile, and the system automatically scores it based on factors such as work experience, language proficiency, education, age, and connection to Manitoba (current employment, family ties, prior study in the province, etc.). Manitoba does not invite candidates in the order profiles were submitted — invitations are issued by ranking score and specific labour-market needs at the time of each draw, across several distinct selection categories within a single round.
Draw #278 was conducted across two main streams: Skilled Worker in Manitoba (for candidates currently working in Manitoba on a valid work permit) and Skilled Worker Overseas (for candidates outside Canada, typically linked to a federal Express Entry profile).
Breakdown of Draw #278
The 741 LAAs were distributed as follows:
600 LAAs to the highest-ranked profiles in NOC major group 72 (technical trades and transportation — electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, crane operators, etc.), with a minimum ranking score of 731.
62 LAAs to two specific occupations: NOC 31102 (general practitioners and family physicians) and NOC 73301 (bus drivers and transit operators). No minimum score was published for this category.
21 LAAs through the Francophone selection stream. No minimum score was published.
58 LAAs through strategic recruitment initiatives, broken down as: 28 via Employer Services, 16 via the Francophone community, 7 via Regional Communities, 4 via Ethnocultural Communities, and 3 via Temporary Public Policy.
Of the 741 total recipients, 150 had declared a valid Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code, meaning these candidates were also active in the federal Express Entry pool.
Comparison with recent draws
The minimum score has fluctuated significantly — from 632 to 825 within two months. This reflects the fact that MPNP does not apply a fixed threshold; each draw's cutoff depends on the volume and profile quality within the EOI pool at that specific time, not a predictable index.
What the numbers indicate
Nearly 81% (600/741) of Draw #278's LAAs went to NOC major group 72, indicating a clear focus in this round on skilled trades and transportation workers already employed in the province.
The explicit naming of two occupation codes (31102 and 73301) points to specific labour demand in healthcare (family physicians) and public transit (bus drivers) — occupations that sit on the province's dedicated priority list, separate from the general top-scoring category.
Who should watch the next draw
Based on Draw #278's data, the following profiles should monitor upcoming MPNP rounds:
Individuals currently working in Manitoba in NOC major group 72 occupations (electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, machine operators) with an EOI score at or near 731.
Family physicians (NOC 31102) or bus drivers/transit operators (NOC 73301) with relevant work experience.
French speakers with a valid EOI profile, since Manitoba maintains a dedicated Francophone selection category in most rounds.
Individuals who already hold a federal Express Entry profile and want to improve their chances via the Skilled Worker Overseas stream — accuracy in declaring the Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code in the EOI is required.
For profiles outside these categories, submitting an EOI still holds value, since Manitoba runs multiple draws per month and both criteria and cutoff scores change from round to round.
Concrete next steps
Review your current EOI profile to confirm the declared NOC code precisely matches your actual job duties — this is a critical factor, as NOC mismatches are a common cause of nomination refusal after an LAA has already been issued.
Update your EOI score periodically (work experience, English/French proficiency, education, Manitoba employment status), since the system recalculates scores whenever a profile is updated.
If you already hold an Express Entry profile, ensure the profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code are declared accurately in your EOI so Manitoba's data matching does not miss your file.
Monitor upcoming draws on the official Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program website, as the draw schedule is not fixed and cutoff scores vary from round to round.
To better understand Manitoba's provincial nomination program and how it may fit your specific profile, contact Nonsuch Immigration directly for a consultation.
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