Some workers in Quebec are now eligible for a 12-month work permit extension

The Government of Canada has announced a new temporary measure aimed at helping foreign workers in Quebec continue to work while their application for permanent residence (PR) is being processed.

Under the new measure, certain foreign workers in Quebec will be eligible for an expedited employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Learn more about your options and get assistance immigrating to Quebec

The announcement was made on March 13 by Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, on behalf of Immigration Minister Lena Diab.

New employer-specific work permit for Quebec workers

The permit will allow eligible workers to continue working for their current employer for up to an additional 12 months.

To be eligible, a worker must have been invited to apply under Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) and must have submitted a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP).

Three kinds of workers are eligible under this measure:

• Cohort 1: Workers with a valid employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or IMP that expires on or before December 31, 2026;
• Cohort 2: Workers whose employer-specific permit has expired, but who applied for an extension before expiry and are now on maintained status;
• Cohort 3: Workers whose employer-specific permit expired between March 13, 2026, and December 31, 2026, and who are out of status, and must apply for both a work permit and restoration

Note that workers are not eligible for this work permit if:

• their work permit expired, but they changed to visitor status and are still in Canada; or
• their work permit expired before March 13, 2026 and they are now out of status, even if they are still within the 90-day restoration period.

More information can be found on the government's official webpage.

Those who are eligible can apply on IRCC’s website until December 31, 2026, and will benefit from expedited processing, with a 30-day service standard. Workers are encouraged to submit an application before their permit expires so they can continue working.

As per the government, the aim of this temporary measure is to help workers stay employed and facilitate their transition to permanent residence, while supporting Canada’s long-term economic needs.

Note: A DSP is an application required for obtaining a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ). A CSQ, a document issued by the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI), declaring that the holder has been selected to settle in Quebec. With a CSQ, the applicant can submit an application for Canadian PR to the federal authorities.

Learn more about your options and get assistance immigrating to Quebec