🎯 What This New Policy Does — Explained Simply
Your job must be located in Quebec province. This policy does not apply to other provinces.
You must have submitted your DSP (permanent residence application) to Quebec government.
30-day processing standard — much faster than regular work permit applications.
You must work for the same employer who sponsored your current (or previous) work permit.
👥 The 3 Groups of People Who Can Apply
The government created three different categories. Each group has specific rules about when their work permits expired and their current status in Canada.Your work permit is still valid but expires on or before December 31, 2026. You want to extend it through this special policy instead of the regular process.
Your work permit expired, but you applied for an extension before it expired. You are on "maintained status" (legal to stay and work) while waiting for a decision.
Your work permit expired between March 13, 2026 and December 31, 2026. You did not apply for extension before it expired. You are currently "out of status" but can still apply for this special program.
📋 What Documents You Need
The documents you need depend on which group you fall into. But everyone needs these two essential documents:The DSP (Demande de Sélection Permanente) is your application to Quebec for permanent residence. You get a confirmation letter when you submit it — this is different from the CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) which comes later. You need the confirmation letter for this work permit application.
💰 How Much Does It Cost?
The fees depend on which group you are in and what you need to restore.If you are in Cohort 3 (your work permit expired and you are out of status), you need to pay an additional $246.25 restoration fee to get your legal status back.
⚡ How to Apply — Step by Step
You CANNOT apply at the border. All applications must be submitted online. Both you and your employer have specific steps to follow.
Your employer must first submit a job offer using LMIA exemption code R01. They must add "PPTR2PRQC2026" in the job title field. This creates your LMIA-exempt number starting with "A".
Your employer will receive an LMIA-exempt number starting with "A" (like A12345678). You need this number for your work permit application. Do not apply without it.
Use the IRCC online portal. Select "written job offer" and "applying under an active pilot project or public policy." Add "PPTR2PRQC2026" in the job title field.
Upload your DSP confirmation letter, job offer, and any other requested documents. Make sure all documents are clear and complete.
Pay your processing fees online. Your application should be processed within 30 days if you included the special code correctly.
Both you and your employer MUST include "PPTR2PRQC2026" in your applications. If you forget this code, your application will be processed under regular timelines (much slower) instead of the 30-day guarantee.
🇮🇳 What This Means for International Workers
🚨 The most important thing to understand:
Only this province
No similar program yet
This program only helps if you are already working in Quebec and have applied for Quebec permanent residence. If you work in Ontario, BC, or other provinces — this does not apply to you (yet).
If you qualify, this is a fantastic bridge program. It gives you up to 12 more months to work legally while your permanent residence application is processed. Much better than being out of status.
Talk to your employer immediately if you think you qualify. They need to submit the job offer first. Do not wait until your work permit is close to expiring — start the process now.
About Author
