Work Permit for Permanent Residence Applicants – Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers

Quebec has its own immigration system for skilled workers. Applicants who have been selected by Quebec for permanent residence may be eligible for a work permit while waiting for their PR application to be finalized. This option allows them to work in Quebec and contribute to the province’s economy during the transition.

What is the Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Work Permit?

This work permit is typically an employer-specific permit, meaning it ties the applicant to a specific job and employer in Quebec. It is designed to help Quebec-selected skilled workers:

• Maintain legal status in Canada.
• Continue gaining Canadian work experience.
• Support themselves and their families while waiting for permanent residence.

The program operates under the International Mobility Program (IMP), making it LMIA-exempt. Instead of an LMIA, applicants use their Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) and a job offer from a Quebec employer.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible if you:

• Have been issued a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
• Have submitted a permanent residence application as a Quebec-selected skilled worker.
• Hold a valid job offer from an employer in Quebec.
• Meet admissibility requirements for Canada (medical, security, etc.).

Benefits of the Quebec Skilled Worker Work Permit

• LMIA-exempt process, saving employers time and resources.
• Faster access to the workforce while PR is being processed.
• Family support: spouses may be eligible for open work permits, and children may qualify for study permits.
• Pathway to permanent residence once the federal stage of the PR process is complete.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

Navigating Quebec’s immigration system can be complex because it involves both provincial and federal requirements. Our law firm assists clients with:

• Understanding the role of the CSQ in work permit applications.
• Preparing LMIA-exempt work permit applications under the International Mobility Program.
• Coordinating employer compliance requirements in Quebec.