On September 10, 2026, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) released the results of Expression of Interest (EOI) Draw #279. This was the 18th MPNP selection round of 2026 and the largest since Draw #276 on July 30, with a total of 793 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) issued.
The most notable feature of this round is the Minimum Ranking Score for the Manitoba post-secondary graduate category, which rose to 825 points - the highest cut-off Manitoba has published in a 2026 round. For Vietnamese nationals currently studying or having recently graduated from a Manitoba college or university, this is data worth factoring into any decision about when and how to submit an Expression of Interest.
Draw #279 breakdown
According to official Manitoba Immigration data, the 793 LAAs were distributed as follows:
Manitoba graduates and accompanying spouses: 508 LAAs, minimum ranking score of 825
Health occupations (Broad Occupational Category 3): 233 LAAs
Strategic Recruitment Initiatives: 41 LAAs, comprising Employer Services (17), Francophone Community (12), Ethnocultural Communities (7), Regional Communities (3), and Temporary Public Policy (2)
Francophone selection: 11 LAAs
A further detail worth noting: of the 793 LAAs issued, 272 (roughly 34%) went to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code - the highest Express Entry share of any MPNP draw since July 2026. This indicates that a significant portion of candidates hold profiles in both the federal pool and the Manitoba system simultaneously.
Once issued an LAA, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete nomination application to the MPNP.
Why the 825-point threshold matters
The Manitoba Ranking System - MPNP's internal scoring model - evaluates candidates on factors including occupation and education, language test results (English or French), Manitoba work experience, connections to the province (family ties, prior study, or work), and alignment with the province's labour market needs.
Compared to earlier 2026 rounds - Draw #269 (April 29) issued 308 LAAs, Draw #270 (May 22) issued 906 LAAs, and Draw #277 (August 13) issued only 53 LAAs - the volume of LAAs per round fluctuates considerably depending on labour demand and the size of the candidate pool at any given time. The graduate stream's 825-point cut-off in Draw #279 reflects increased competition within that category relative to some earlier rounds with lower thresholds.
This does not necessarily indicate a permanent narrowing of opportunity - Manitoba's draw sizes and cut-offs regularly shift with sector-specific and seasonal labour needs. Still, this is concrete data candidates can use to assess where their profile stands relative to the current pool.
Practical steps for candidates in the Manitoba graduate stream
Review your current Expression of Interest profile: confirm that your credentials, field of study, and duration of study in Manitoba are accurately recorded, as these directly affect your score.
Check your language test validity: ensure IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF results are current and meet the threshold required for your occupation.
Document Manitoba work experience fully: authorized full-time or part-time work in the province can contribute to your ranking score.
Consider the Express Entry connection: if eligible, holding both an Express Entry profile and a Manitoba EOI can expand your options, since a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points under the federal system.
Monitor upcoming draws: results are published at immigratemanitoba.com after each round, showing the cut-off score and LAA count for each category.
Conclusion
Draw #279 shows Manitoba continuing to prioritize its own post-secondary graduates (508 of 793 LAAs, close to 64% of the total), while raising the graduate stream's cut-off to its highest point of 2026. This is concrete, published data rather than speculation, and it gives anyone planning to submit an EOI a factual basis for assessing their standing before deciding when to apply.
To understand more about Manitoba provincial nomination and which options may fit your specific profile, contact Nonsuch Immigration directly via Zalo 0946 749 585 or WhatsApp 204 963 9288.
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