Temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective permanent residence candidates in Quebec

Background

To support Quebec in its objective of transitioning a greater proportion of eligible temporary residents to permanent residency under its provincial programs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is proposing to facilitate access to short-term employer-specific work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) for select temporary foreign workers via a time-limited public policy.

This measure is expected to help Quebec stabilize its workforce and address labour shortages as necessary, in addition to ensuring that eligible workers remain employed while the province is assessing their eligibility for a Certificat de sélection du Québec, to support their transition for permanent residency. These workers have established strong roots in their communities, and are already contributing their skills and labour to support Quebec’s growth and prosperity.

Consistent with objectives in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), the intent of this initiative is to strengthen Quebec’s regional economy and share the benefits of immigration across all regions of Canada. It also supports a return to sustainable immigration levels, aligned with the Government of Canada’s commitment to reducing Canada’s non-permanent resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.

Public Policy Considerations

This public policy, pursuant to section 25.2 of the Act, will facilitate access to employer-specific work permits under the IMP for eligible temporary foreign workers in Quebec who have been invited to apply for permanent residence in that province and have submitted a Demande de sélection permanente (DSP) to the province under the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ).

I hereby establish that there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting, in accordance with section 25.2 of the Act, exemptions from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements):

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant to a foreign national an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below if the foreign national meets the following conditions:

1. The foreign national

1. holds a valid employer-specific work permit
   1. issued pursuant to subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(iii) or 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations;
   2. for work located in the province of Quebec; and
   3. that will expire on or before December 31, 2026;
2. has submitted, prior to the expiry of the work permit referred to in (a), a work permit application under subparagraph 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations with an offer of employment to work in the province of Quebec for the same employer that is listed on the work permit referred to (a);
3. has submitted their work permit application referred to in (b) using electronic means (applied online), or by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose if the foreign national is unable to meet the requirement to make the application, submit any document or provide signature or information using electronic means; and
4. has provided, with the application referred to in (b), confirmation that they have been invited to apply under the Programme de selection des travailleurs qualifies (PSTQ) by the province of Quebec and have submitted a DSP to that province.

or

2. The foreign national

1. held an employer-specific work permit
   1. issued pursuant to subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(iii) or 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations;
   2. for work located in the province of Quebec; and
   3. that has expired;
2. submitted a work permit renewal application to perform work described in subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(iii) or 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations and is authorized to work pursuant to paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations while that application is pending;
3. has submitted a subsequent work permit application under subparagraph 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations with an offer of employment to work in the province of Quebec for the same employer that is listed on the work permit referred to (a);
4. has submitted their work permit application referred to in (c) using electronic means (applied online), or by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose if the foreign national is unable to meet the requirement to make the application, submit any document or provide signature or information using electronic means; and
5. has provided, with the application referred to in (c), confirmation that they have been invited to apply under the PSTQ by the province of Quebec and have submitted a DSP to that province.

or

3. The foreign national

1. held an employer-specific work permit
   1. issued pursuant to subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(iii) or 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations,
   2. for work located in the province of Quebec; and
   3. that expired between March 13, 2026 and December 31, 2026;
2. has submitted an application
   1. for a work permit under section 200(1)(c)(ii.1) of the Regulations with an offer of employment to work in the province of Quebec for the same employer that is listed on the work permit referred to (a); and
   2. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or restoration of their temporary resident status under section 182 of the Regulations;
3. has submitted their work permit application using referred to in (b) electronic means (applied online), or by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose if the foreign national is unable to meet the requirement to make the application, submit any document or provide signature or information using electronic means; and
4. has provided, with the application referred to in (b), confirmation that they have been invited to apply under the PSTQ by the province of Quebec and have submitted a DSP to that province.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 1 or 2:

• The requirement in subparagraph 200(1)(c)(ii.1) to intend to perform work described in section 204 or 205 or to be described in section 207 of the Regulations.

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 3:

• The requirement in section 182 for a visitor, worker or student to have complied with any other conditions imposed, other than those referred to in paragraph 185(a), subparagraphs 185(b)(i) to (iii), or paragraph 185(c) of the Regulations;
• The requirements in paragraphs 199(a) to (i) that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• The requirement in subparagraph 200(1)(c)(ii.1) to intend to perform work described in section 204 or 205 or to be described in section 207 of the Regulations;
• The requirement in paragraph 200(3)(e) that a work permit not be issued to a foreign national who has engaged in unauthorized work or study in Canada or has failed to comply with the conditions of a previous permit or authorization.

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria:

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other legislative eligibility and admissibility requirements not exempted under this, or another, public policy.

Effective Date and Expiration:

This public policy comes into effect on March 13, 2026 and applies to applications received on or after this date.

This public policy will expire on December 31, 2026, and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice.