gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Work & skilled workersAnnouncementHigh impactVerified

New immigration measure to support Quebec workers and employers

🇨🇦 CanadaWork Permits1 recorded versionLast change 13 Mar 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

-Eligible workers can apply for a new employer-specific work permit. -The new permit can allow the worker to continue working for their current employer for up to 12 additional months. -The worker must have received an invitation from Quebec to submit a DSP under the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). -The worker must meet the temporary measure's work-permit and application requirements. -The measure is available until 31 December 2026. -The new permit is employer-specific, so it does not give the worker an unrestricted right to work for any employer. -The measure does not itself grant permanent residence or a CSQ.

Overview

On 13 March 2026, the Government of Canada announced a temporary measure to allow eligible skilled workers in Quebec to extend their employer-specific work permits for up to 12 months. This extension provides Quebec with time to assess permanent residency eligibility for these workers, aligning with Quebec's new policy. This initiative supports the retention of skilled workers and targets those invited by Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Skilled foreign workers in Quebec
  • Workers Quebec invited to apply for permanent selection (a DSP)
  • Workers whose work permits for a specific employer meet the rule's expiry dates
  • Quebec employers who currently employ eligible foreign workers
  • Workers waiting for Quebec to check their permanent selection application

What changed in the latest version

Before

- Workers with a work permit for a specific employer usually needed another valid immigration plan to keep working. - A worker could not simply extend their work permit if Quebec was still processing their application for permanent selection. - Employers risked losing workers while waiting for Quebec to complete its selection process.

After

- Eligible workers can apply for a new work permit for a specific employer. - The new permit can allow the worker to keep working for their current employer for up to 12 more months. - The worker must have received an invitation from Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP). A DSP is an application for permanent selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). - The worker must meet the conditions for this temporary plan, including work permit and application rules. - This plan is available until 31 December 2026. - The new permit is for a specific employer. It does not allow the worker to work for any employer. - This plan does not give the worker permanent residence or a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

This temporary plan is important. It directly deals with Quebec's strong need for skilled workers. It lets them keep working while the province processes their applications for permanent residence. It creates an important link for people moving from temporary worker status to permanent residence. This reduces problems for their jobs and lives. This plan gives the Quebec government more time to plan how these workers move from temporary to permanent immigration. This matches federal goals to support local economies and help businesses stay stable. It aims to stop skilled workers from having to leave Canada because their work permits expire while they wait for Quebec's decision. This helps to keep valuable skilled people in Canada.

Explained simply

Imagine you're a skilled worker in Quebec, and you're trying to become a permanent resident. Normally, your work permit might expire before Quebec finishes checking your application. But now, Canada has a new rule: if Quebec has already invited you to apply for permanent residency, you can get a special extension for your work permit for up to another year. This means you can keep working at your current job while Quebec takes its time to make sure you qualify. This helps both you and your employer, and keeps skilled people in Quebec.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v2Effective 13 Mar 2026AnnouncementHigh impact
    New immigration measure to support Quebec workers and employers

    Canada has started a new temporary immigration plan. It began on 13 March 2026. This plan helps workers and employers in Quebec. Workers in Quebec can get a new work permit if they meet certain conditions. They must be skilled workers. They must have an invitation to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP). A DSP is an application for permanent selection in Quebec. Their current work permit must be for a specific employer. This permit must be expiring between 13 March 2026 and 31 December 2026. These work permits are issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP). The new work permit can last for up to 12 more months. This gives the Quebec government time to check if they qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). A CSQ is a document from Quebec that says a person can apply for permanent residence. People can apply on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. IRCC is the Canadian government department that handles immigration. Applications must be sent by 31 December 2026. These applications will be processed quickly.

Timeline

  1. Action deadline

    31 Dec 2026

    Workers who have received an invitation from Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP) should apply on IRCC’s website.

  2. Takes effect

    13 Mar 2026

    Eligible workers can obtain an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program to continue working for their current employer for up to 12 more months. This allows time for Quebec to review their eligibility for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) before they apply for permanent residence.

  3. Announced

    13 Mar 2026

    On 13 March 2026, the Government of Canada announced a temporary measure to allow eligible skilled workers in Quebec to extend their employer-specific work permits for up to 12 months. This extension provides Quebec with time to assess permanent residency eligibility for these workers, aligning with Quebec's new policy. This initiative supports the retention of skilled workers and targets those i

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