New measures provide work permits for CSQ applicants

The Government of Canada has launched a time-limited measure making it easier for temporary foreign workers in Quebec being assessed for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) to access employer-specific (closed) work permits while they wait.

The short-term public policy is only for those who have already been invited to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Quebec and have submitted an application to receive a CSQ under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).

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The Temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective permanent residence candidates in Quebec came into effect on March 13, 2026, and applies to all applications submitted from that date onward.

It is currently set to expire on December 31, 2026 but, like all temporary public policies, it can be revoked by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at any time.

Who is eligible under these measures?

To benefit from this temporary public policy facilitating access to LMIA-exempt* closed work permits individuals must fall under one of the following three scenarios.

Scenario one: You currently possess a valid employer-specific work permit in Quebec that will expire on or before December 31, 2026.

Scenario two: You previously held an employer-specific work permit in Quebec that has since expired, but you applied to renew your work permit prior to expiry—allowing for continued work authorization while on maintained status.

Scenario three: You previously held an employer-specific work permit in Quebec that expired between March 13 and December 31, 2026, and have submitted an application to extend your work authorization or restore your temporary resident status prior to submitting the application for a new work permit.

Those with work permits that expired prior to March 13 (making them out of status) are not eligible under these measures—regardless of whether they have applied (or will) apply for status restoration.

Note for all scenarios: To be eligible under these measures, individuals under all three scenarios are required to

• Provide proof that they have been invited under the PSTQ and submitted a **Demande de sélection permanente (DSP) when applying for a work permit; and
• Continue working for the same Quebec employer listed on their previous work permit.

A full list of eligibility criteria can be found on IRCC's official webpage.

IRCC is temporarily removing the International Mobility Program (IMP) job-category requirement under scenarios one and two, while also easing broader barriers under scenario three, including rules on applying from within Canada, compliance with prior status conditions, and automatic refusals for unauthorized work or non-compliance.

*Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are a form of labour market test that must typically be performed by an employer before the government approves an application for a closed work permit. The LMIA exemption granted under this policy removes significant overhead in getting a work permit for eligible applicants.

**A DSP is the name of the application that an individual must submit in order to obtain a CSQ. The CSQ is a necessary document—obtained by Quebec’s immigration ministry— confirming the individual has been chosen to settle in Quebec.

It is only once an individual has secured a CSQ that they can then apply to IRCC for PR.

Why has this temporary public policy been implemented?

This initiative is aimed at advancing Quebec’s efforts to move more eligible temporary residents to permanent residence through the PSTQ pathway.

Since the closure of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), the PSTQ is now the main pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Quebec.

The policy is expected to ease pressure on the provincial labour market by helping employers retain workers already in place, while individuals undergo assessment for a CSQ.

At a broader level, the policy seeks to support economic development across Quebec and ensures immigration contributes more evenly across Canada.

It fits within Canada’s broader plan to bring immigration back to sustainable levels, including lowering the temporary resident share of the population to under 5% by 2027.

Recently, Quebec also opted into a new temporary public policy allowing rural employers to retain or increase their share of low-wage temporary foreign workers. Further details are available here.

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