On September 24, 2026, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) published the results of Expression of Interest (EOI) Draw #280. The province issued a total of 474 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs). Most of them, 417, went to candidates currently employed in Manitoba in natural sciences, engineering, architecture and information technology occupations.
This article summarizes the official draw data, explains the occupational group selected under NOC 2021, and outlines the profile checks that are relevant for people working in Manitoba.
Official Draw #280 figures
According to immigratemanitoba.com, the LAAs were distributed as follows:
1. Skilled Worker in Manitoba – occupation-specific selections
NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians: 1 LAA
Broad Occupational Category (BOC) 2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations: 417 LAAs, with a lowest-ranked candidate score of 760
2. Francophone selection – profiles declaring French as their language of communication with the MPNP and holding a valid French test result: 16 LAAs
3. Skilled Worker Stream – Strategic Recruitment Initiatives: 40 LAAs
Regional Communities: 15
Ethnocultural Communities: 9
Employer Services: 9
Francophone Community: 6
Temporary Public Policy (TPP) to facilitate work permits for prospective PNP candidates: 1
Of the 474 LAAs, 148 were issued to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code.
According to CIC News, as of September 24, 2026 the MPNP has issued 6,883 LAAs across 19 draws in 2026.
What BOC 2 covers
Under NOC 2021, the first digit of an occupation code identifies its broad occupational category. BOC 2 is "Natural and applied sciences and related occupations" and includes:
Codes starting with 20 – specialized middle management in engineering, architecture, science and information systems (e.g., NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers).
Codes starting with 21 – professional occupations in natural and applied sciences (e.g., NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers; NOC 21300 – Civil engineers).
Codes starting with 22 – technical occupations (e.g., NOC 22220 – Computer network and web technicians).
The selection criterion is current employment in Manitoba in a BOC 2 occupation. Holding a STEM degree while working in an occupation outside BOC 2 does not meet this criterion. The NOC code is determined by actual job duties, not by job title.
Reading the 760 cutoff
The 760 figure is the MPNP EOI ranking score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited in the BOC 2 selection. It is not a CRS score. The cutoff applies only to this group and this draw. Future cutoffs depend on which groups are selected, how many LAAs are issued, and the composition of the pool, and the MPNP does not announce these factors in advance.
About 31% of LAAs (148 of 474) went to candidates with Express Entry profiles. If these candidates are nominated through the Express Entry-linked stream, they receive 600 additional CRS points. The remaining candidates would apply for permanent residence through the non-Express Entry (base) process after nomination.
Reasons the MPNP lists for eligible profiles not receiving an LAA
The official notice lists two scenarios:
The profile declares an approved language test but has no valid test number, or the test result has expired.
The profile declares a strategic recruitment ITA but has no valid invitation number.
The MPNP also notes that candidates who declared working in a regulated occupation and being fully licensed in Manitoba were selected. However, the MPNP may refuse applications if those candidates are not actually working in a regulated occupation or cannot show they have completed the required licensing steps. Several BOC 2 occupations, such as engineering and architecture, are regulated. Candidates in that position may wish to consider declining the LAA.
Practical checks
If you work in Manitoba in a STEM occupation, or plan to, consider the following:
Confirm your NOC 2021 code by comparing your actual duties with the "main duties" listed on the Government of Canada NOC site. Make sure your employment letter and contract match the code you declare.
Language test: confirm your IELTS/CELPIP/TEF/TCF result is valid and the test number is entered correctly in your EOI.
Regulated occupations: identify the Manitoba licensing body (e.g., Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba) and confirm your licensing status before declaring it.
Express Entry: if you are eligible, keeping a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code allows nomination through the Express Entry-linked stream.
Prepare documents early: LAA recipients have 60 days to submit a complete nomination application.
Keep your EOI updated when your employment, language results or education change.
Conclusion
In Draw #280, the MPNP selected candidates by an entire broad occupational category (BOC 2) rather than by individual NOC codes. The MPNP has not said whether future draws will target this category again. People working in Manitoba in science, engineering and IT occupations should make sure their EOI profiles are accurate and complete, so they are assessed correctly when a relevant draw takes place.
To better understand Manitoba provincial nomination and the options that fit your specific profile, contact Nonsuch Immigration directly.
Zalo: 0946 749 585 | WhatsApp: 204 963 9288
Sources: Manitoba Immigration – Expression of Interest Draw #280 (September 24, 2026); CIC News.
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