Quebec Immigration 2026: New Work Permit Measure Announced

The Government of Canada has announced a new temporary immigration measure specifically designed to support skilled workers in Quebec who are navigating the pathway to permanent residence. This initiative, announced March 13, 2026, provides crucial breathing room for both workers and the Quebec government as they work through the permanent residence application process under Quebec's updated immigration system.

What the New Measure Provides

The temporary measure allows eligible workers in Quebec to obtain an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program, extending their authorized work period by up to 12 additional months. This extension is specifically designed to give the Government of Quebec sufficient time to review applications for the Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec), a critical step in the permanent residence process for workers in the province.

The measure is available exclusively to workers who have already received an invitation from Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP) under the province's new Skilled Worker Selection Program. This targeted approach ensures that the extension benefits those who are already actively engaged in Quebec's permanent residence pathway.

Minister Lena Metlege Diab emphasized that this measure supports Canada's broader immigration goals while recognizing the valuable contributions these workers make to their communities. "Canada is restoring balance and control to our immigration system," she stated. "To grow Canada's economy, we need skilled workers in critical sectors to stay in the country so they can continue to support their communities."

Eligibility Requirements and Application Process

To qualify for this work permit extension, applicants must meet several specific criteria. First, they must have submitted a permanent selection application under Quebec's new Skilled Worker Selection Program and received a request from Quebec to submit a DSP. Additionally, workers must currently hold, or have recently held, an employer-specific work permit under either the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program.

The timing requirement is also crucial: eligible work permits must be expiring between March 13, 2026, and December 31, 2026. This window ensures that the measure targets workers who face immediate permit expiration challenges while Quebec processes their permanent residence applications.

Applications can be submitted through IRCC's website until December 31, 2026, and will benefit from expedited processing. IRCC strongly encourages workers to submit their applications before their current permits expire to maintain continuous work authorization and avoid employment gaps.

Supporting Quebec's Immigration Strategy

This federal measure directly supports Quebec's new immigration policies and provides the provincial government with necessary flexibility in managing the transition from temporary to permanent residence. Minister Joël Lightbound highlighted the collaborative nature of this approach, stating that it "strengthens predictability for businesses, supports growth and contributes to the vitality of the Quebec economy."

The measure recognizes that many skilled workers currently in Quebec have established deep community ties, built professional relationships, and become integral parts of the province's economic fabric. By providing this extension, the government acknowledges the importance of retaining these contributors while ensuring proper processing of their permanent residence applications.

Quebec's new Skilled Worker Selection Program represents a significant shift in how the province manages its immigration intake, and this federal support measure helps smooth the transition period for both applicants and the provincial administration.

Rural Labour Market Support Measures

Alongside the Quebec-specific measure, the federal government announced additional support for rural labour markets across Canada. From April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, rural employers participating in provinces and territories that choose to join this initiative will benefit from increased flexibility in retaining temporary foreign workers.

Under this temporary measure, rural employers can maintain their existing numbers of low-wage temporary foreign workers and increase their permitted percentage from 10% to 15% of their workforce. This change addresses specific labour shortages in rural communities while maintaining alignment with Canada's broader immigration and labour market objectives.

Employment and Social Development Canada is implementing these measures through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, working closely with participating provinces and territories to ensure effective implementation and monitoring.

Connection to Canada's Immigration Levels Plan

These measures align with Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to reduce the temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. The plan commits to accelerating the transition of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence during 2026 and 2027, providing a clear pathway for temporary workers to establish permanent status in Canada.

By supporting Quebec workers in their permanent residence applications and providing additional rural labour market flexibility, the government is working to balance immediate economic needs with long-term immigration sustainability goals. This approach recognizes that effective immigration policy requires both strategic planning and tactical flexibility to address specific regional and sectoral needs.

The targeted nature of these measures demonstrates the government's commitment to working collaboratively with provincial and territorial partners while maintaining oversight of the immigration system's overall direction and impact.

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