Manitoba expands work permit options: 16 occupations now exempt from sector requirements
Manitoba employers in all sectors can now support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled trades professions, under Manitoba’s Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP).
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Sector-exempt occupations
Occupation title NOC code
Agricultural Equipment Technician 72401
Auto Body and Collision Technician 73202
Automotive Refinishing Technician 73202
Automotive Service Technician 72410
Boilermaker 72304
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician 72401
Instrumentation and Control Technician 72201
Landscape Horticulturalist 22114
Parts Technician 72410
Recreation Vehicle Service Technician 72410
Transport Trailer Technician 72410
Truck and Transport Mechanic 72410
Aircraft Maintenance Journeyperson 72404
Diesel Engine Mechanic 72410
Railway Car Technician 72403
Water and Wastewater Technician 22101
Prior to this change, employers had to be in one of the eligible sectors in order to support work permit extensions, regardless of the employee’s occupation.
Manitoba has also removed Hospitality and Food Services from the list of eligible sectors, so the eligible sectors are now limited to
Agriculture;
Construction and trades;
Information Technology;
Food processing;
Education;
Healthcare; and
Manufacturing.
Applications from Hospitality and Food services employers received after February 4, 2026 will not be accepted, unless for an exempt occupation.
The TRRP is an employer-driven work permit program. Under the TRRP, businesses can support their employees’ work permit extensions by applying on their behalf in as little as 60 days.
The TRRP does not require employers to advertise the position or to obtain a labour market impact assessment (LMIA), making TRRP work permits more accessible than those issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Who can apply under the TRRP?
Both employers and employees must meet eligibility criteria to be able to seek work permits through the TRRP.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Cohen Immigration Law
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