Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) issued 1,304 Letters of Advice to Apply in its October 22 round, the 21st selection round of 2026. The two in-province categories closed 30 points apart: candidates with post-secondary study in Manitoba were invited down to 816, while top-scoring profiles needed 846. For anyone weighing what a Manitoba credential is worth in an Expression of Interest profile, the graduate-linked group faced a lower bar in this round.
The short version
- Manitoba sent 1,304 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) on October 22, in the 21st selection round of 2026.
- The cut-off for candidates with post-secondary study in Manitoba was 816. For top-scoring profiles it was 846. That's a 30-point gap (846 − 816 = 30).
- Applications run on a 60-day clock after a letter is issued. See the FAQ below for details on when the clock starts.
- Of the 1,304 letters issued, 353 went to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code.
- IRCC's Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge open work permit accepts applications by December 31, 2027. See the FAQ for eligibility rules and deadlines.
Manitoba's October 22 cut-offs by category
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is the profile a candidate submits to Manitoba, which scores and ranks it. A Letter of Advice to Apply is Manitoba's invitation to send in a full nomination application. The cut-off is the lowest score that received a letter in that category.
| Category in the October 22 round | Lowest score invited | Gap to general cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates with post-secondary study in Manitoba | 816 | 30 points lower |
| Top-scoring profiles | 846 | — |
The 1,304 letters are split across the three routes in this round: 734 went to candidates with post-secondary study in Manitoba, 513 to top-scoring profiles, and 57 to the Skilled Worker Stream's strategic recruitment, which has no published cut-off.
Different closing scores may mean Manitoba ranked each group separately, so the graduate-linked cut-off reflected competition within that group rather than across the whole in-province pool.
Who the 816 and 846 cut-offs affect
Candidates with a score between 816 and 845 may fall below the general cut-off but at or above the graduate-linked one, but only if their profile counts as having post-secondary study in Manitoba. Profiles in this range that don't meet the graduate-linked category criteria still fall short of an invitation in this round.
People with a general Manitoba EOI profile have a benchmark of 846 from this round. In this draw, a Manitoba study connection lowered the bar by 30 points.
People weighing a Manitoba study path as part of a longer PNP plan can see that Manitoba runs graduate-linked selection at a different score from its general selection, though one round can't predict how future rounds will close.
People who hold a support letter issued by December 31, 2025 should see the FAQ below for the work permit rules and timing requirements.
These cut-offs apply to Manitoba's in-province categories only and don't affect candidates without a Manitoba EOI profile, or anyone in other provinces' nominee programs.
What Manitoba EOI candidates can do now
- Compare your EOI score with both cut-offs. Note how far above or below 816 and 846 you sit, keeping in mind the numbers can change in the next draw.
- Work out which category your profile falls into. The 30-point difference only matters once you know whether your profile counts as having post-secondary study in Manitoba. Check Manitoba's official PNP pages for the category criteria.
- Keep your profile current. If your education, work or other details have changed, update your EOI so its score reflects your actual situation.
- If you received an LAA, mark the 60-day window today. Find the issue date on your letter, confirm from Manitoba's instructions when the 60 days begin, and plan backwards from the deadline.
- Start gathering documents now if a letter is likely. Waiting until a letter arrives before collecting records leaves little margin inside 60 days.
- If a work permit support letter is relevant to you, get advice before you act. See the FAQ below for timing and eligibility rules.
An example: where an 830 EOI score sits against the two cut-offs
Illustration only: a candidate has a Manitoba EOI score of 830. That is 14 points above the graduate-linked cut-off of 816 (830 − 816 = 14) and 16 points below the general cut-off of 846 (846 − 830 = 16).
If the profile counts as having post-secondary study in Manitoba, the score sits above that category's October 22 cut-off and would have received a letter in this round. If it counts as a general profile, the same score sits below the cut-off and would not have received a letter. Being above a past cut-off is not a promise of a future letter.
On the 60-day clock: if it ran from an October 22 issue date, day 60 would fall on December 21. That date is an illustration only; confirm the actual start point from the letter and Manitoba's instructions.
Common questions
What were the cut-off scores in Manitoba's October 22 draw?
Candidates with post-secondary study in Manitoba were invited down to 816. Top-scoring profiles closed at 846, a 30-point difference.
How many Letters of Advice to Apply did Manitoba issue?
Manitoba issued 1,304 LAAs in the October 22 round, the 21st selection round of 2026. The split was 734 to candidates with post-secondary study in Manitoba, 513 to top-scoring profiles, and 57 to the Skilled Worker Stream's strategic recruitment.
Why did Manitoba graduates have a lower cut-off?
The graduate-linked category closed 30 points below the general one, consistent with the two groups being ranked separately.
How long do I have to apply after getting an LAA?
Applications run on a 60-day clock. Check your letter and Manitoba's instructions for when the 60 days start, because missing the window can cost you the invitation.
What is the Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge open work permit?
IRCC's Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge open work permit took effect on July 6, 2026 and accepts applications by December 31, 2027. To be eligible, you need a Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025, and your EOI placement on or before that date. A support letter issued in 2026 doesn't meet the requirement. You also need a valid work permit (or a qualifying expired-permit situation) and an employment letter from a current Manitoba employer. The permit lasts up to two years or until passport expiry, whichever is earlier, and cannot be extended.
If you're working out where your profile stands, you can review Manitoba's nominee options in our PNP guide. An RCIC can assess your specific case, from your EOI category to a pending LAA or support letter, so book a session with one of our consultants.