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).

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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 submitted a PR application under the province’s new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) and have received a request from Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP).

They must also hold (or have recently held) an employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program expiring between March 13 and December 31, 2026.

Those who are eligible can apply on IRCC’s website until December 31, 2026 and will benefit from expedited processing. 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