MANITOBA ADJUSTED THE TEMPORARY RESIDENT RETENTION PILOT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

MANITOBA ADJUSTED THE TEMPORARY RESIDENT RETENTION PILOT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Manitoba Overhauls Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP)

The Government of Manitoba has announced significant adjustments to its Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP), effective February 4, 2026. These changes reflect the province's shifting economic priorities, moving away from service-based industries to focus on critical infrastructure and technical maintenance. This pilot, designed to help employers transition their current temporary staff to permanent residency, now features a more targeted list of eligible sectors.

Key Changes: Hospitality Out, Skilled Trades In

The most impactful modification is the complete removal of one major sector and the inclusion of specialized technical roles:

  • Removal of Hospitality and Food Services: As of February 4, employers in restaurants, hotels, and food services are no longer eligible to sponsor employees through this specific pilot.

  • 16 New Skilled Trades Added: To address gaps in agriculture machinery, transportation maintenance, and water treatment, Manitoba has added 16 new occupations, including:

    • Agricultural Equipment Technicians (NOC 72401)

    • Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians

    • Automotive Service Technicians

    • Water and Wastewater Technicians

    • Aircraft Maintenance Journeypersons

Core Eligibility Requirements

While the sectors have changed, the fundamental criteria for both employers and employees remain rigorous:

  • For Employees: * Must have worked for the same employer full-time (30+ hours/week) for at least 18 months.

    • Must hold a valid work permit expiring in less than one year.

    • Language proficiency: CLB 5 for TEER 0–3; CLB 4 for TEER 4–5.

  • For Employers:

    • Must have operated in Manitoba for at least three consecutive years.

    • Must demonstrate a 50% retention rate of temporary foreign workers over the past three years.

    • Minimum gross annual revenue of $350,000.

A Strategic Pivot Toward Industrial Growth

For thousands of hospitality workers, this update is a setback that requires a reassessment of their PR pathways. Conversely, it creates a fast-tracked opportunity for mechanical and industrial trades workers already established in Manitoba. As a pilot program, the TRRP is designed to be adaptive, and further shifts in eligible occupations are expected throughout the year.

Are you a hospitality worker affected by these changes or a tradesperson newly eligible? Navigating these shifts requires a professional strategy. At Global Opportunities,, we help you identify alternative pathways like Express Entry or provincial streams to ensure your residency goals stay on track. Contact us today for a recalibration of your file!

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