Quebec Launches Temporary Work Permit to Support Skilled Workers Awaiting Permanent Residency
Quebec, a Canadian province, has announced a new temporary policy granting skilled foreign workers the opportunity to extend their employer-specific work permits for up to an additional 12 months. This exceptional measure aims to protect the legal status of workers who have applied for permanent residency and ensure their continued employment within the province while awaiting the processing of their provincial selection files by the competent authorities.
This step comes in response to challenges associated with long waiting periods, where current work permits sometimes expire before the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) is issued. This extension will provide a legal safety net, prevent employment gaps, and ensure labor market stability. In this article, we will discuss the precise conditions for benefiting from this measure and the specific deadlines for submitting applications to ensure the continuity of your stay and work in Canada.
This temporary permit allows foreign workers to remain with the same employer for a full additional year while the province continues to assess their permanent immigration applications. To be eligible for this policy, a worker must meet three essential cumulative conditions:
- Must have previously applied under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ).
- Must have received an official invitation to apply for permanent selection (DSP) from Quebec authorities.
- Must hold an employer-specific work permit expiring between March 13, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
This measure includes workers whose original permits were issued under specific federal programs such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program. Applications are submitted exclusively online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal. Canadian authorities have confirmed that applications submitted under this policy will receive expedited processing to ensure workers do not experience interruptions in their employment, although a precise processing timeline has not yet been specified.
This initiative is a practical solution to bridge the time gap between different immigration stages in Quebec, giving skilled workers already settled in the province the assurance to continue their economic contributions. Those wishing to benefit from this extension must submit their applications by December 31, 2026, as exceeding this date will result in forfeiture of the right to access this temporary measure. For more information on the technical application procedures, please consult the official Canadian immigration platforms to ensure data accuracy and protect your legal status.
To view complete technical details and how to apply, please visit the official website of the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration.