Canada | Temporary work permit introduced to keep skilled workers in Quebec

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a new, temporary work permit to help the Quebec government retain skilled workers while reviewing their eligibility for permanent residence.

Key takeaways: 

The employer-specific work permit allows eligible workers to continue working for their current employer for up to 12 months while the Quebec government reviews their eligibility to apply for permanent residence.

To be eligible for the work permit, employees must have submitted a permanent selection application under the province’s new Skilled Worker Selection Program and have received a request from Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente.

The initiative is open only to those holding an employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program that expires between March 13 and Dec. 31, 2026.

This new measure supports Quebec’s policy to make sure immigration efforts are targeted where they are most effective, including transitioning long-term foreign skilled workers to permanent residents.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. 

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