Quebec has adopted a new temporary policy aimed at supporting foreign workers who are in the process of obtaining permanent residency in the province. Eligible applicants will be able to obtain an additional work permit valid for up to 12 months to maintain legal employment while their immigration application is being processed. Learn more about the conditions, deadlines, and application process for a temporary work permit in Quebec in 2026

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The Canadian province of Quebec has adopted a temporary policy regarding foreign workers involved in the permanent residency application process. This new measure allows certain categories of applicants to obtain an additional work permit valid for up to 12 months, enabling them to maintain legal employment while their immigration case is being processed.

Who exactly is eligible for this opportunity, what conditions must be met, and how to apply—we’ll cover all of this below.

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Why did Quebec introduce an additional work permit for foreigners?

The process of obtaining permanent residency in Quebec consists of several sequential stages. In the first step, the worker applies for provincial selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). Successful completion results in a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), and only then does the applicant proceed to the federal stage of obtaining permanent resident status. This entire process takes a significant amount of time.

It is precisely the length of the processing time that creates a problem. Some applicants’ work permits expire before the province has time to make a selection decision. In such a situation, the worker risks losing their legal status in the labor market, even while actively pursuing the immigration process. Quebec’s temporary policy is designed to close this very gap—to provide additional time for those who are already on the path to permanent residency but need a legal basis to continue working.

Details on Quebec’s immigration plan for 2026–2029 — here.

Conditions for obtaining a temporary work permit in Quebec

Not all foreign workers will be able to take advantage of this new opportunity. The policy has a clearly defined pool of applicants, and to apply, one must meet three criteria simultaneously. First, the worker must have submitted an application under the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). Second, the applicant must have received an invitation from the Quebec authorities to apply for a selection decision (DSP). Third, the applicant must currently hold or have recently held a work permit with a specific employer, valid from March 13, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

An important detail concerns the type of previous permit. It must have been issued under one of two federal programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program. The new permit is also tied to a specific employer—meaning the worker continues to work at the exact same company where they were previously employed. The validity period of the extension is up to 12 months.

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How and where to apply for a work permit extension in Canada?

Applications for a temporary work permit are accepted exclusively online through the official portal of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The deadline for submission is December 31, 2026. After this date, access to this temporary measure will be closed, so employees should ensure they apply in a timely manner.

Canadian authorities have also confirmed that applications submitted under this temporary policy will be processed on an expedited basis. Exact processing times have not yet been announced, but the goal of expedited processing is to ensure applicants’ continued employment during their immigration process. This means that workers will be able to avoid an involuntary gap between the expiration of their previous permit and the issuance of a new one.

We previously covered Open Work Permit in Canada 2026.

What does Quebec’s new policy offer foreign workers?

For skilled foreign nationals who have already integrated into Quebec’s economy, the main risk during the permanent residency application process is a gap in their legal work status. Losing a permit, even for a short period, can mean termination of employment and financial instability. The new temporary policy makes it possible to avoid such a scenario and maintain continuous employment.

In effect, Quebec is creating a safeguard for workers whose cases are already at the provincial selection stage. An additional year of work permit is the time needed to complete all administrative procedures without the risk of losing one’s job. For those whose permits expire in 2026 and who have already received an invitation to the permanent selection process, this option is a valuable tool for stabilizing their immigration status.

Applying for a work permit in any country requires careful preparation of documents. The absence of even a single document can lead to a delay in processing or a visa denial. The Visit World portal offers a practical guide—a convenient PDF manual that is delivered to your email in just a few minutes. The guide contains step-by-step instructions for applying for a work visa and work permit, a complete list of required documents, information on visa fees, application processing times, rules for filling out forms, and useful tips for visiting your chosen country.

Order the work guide from Visit World to have up-to-date and structured information at your fingertips for applying for a work permit, regardless of your destination country or citizenship!

Reminder! Canada has closed the Start-Up Visa program. Find out what immigration options remain for entrepreneurs in 2026 by following the link.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents for Canada;

Legal consultation on immigration to Canada;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Canada;

Medical insurance worldwide.

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