Saint-Alban, Quebec, 13/03/2026 — Canada.
On March 13, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a temporary measure to help Quebec retain skilled workers who are on a pathway to permanent residence in the province. Under this measure, eligible workers can receive an employer-specific work permit through the International Mobility Program.
Purpose of the Measure
The measure was announced by Minister Joël Lightbound on behalf of Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. Minister Diab stated that this measure is a strategic lever giving Quebec more time to plan the transition from temporary to permanent immigration.
Skilled workers supported by this measure must be among those Quebec has selected for the permanent residence pathway, and must work for the specific employer named on the permit.
Quebec Policy Context
Quebec operates its own economic immigration selection system under an agreement with the federal government, distinct from other provinces’ PNPs. The province sets its own criteria for selecting skilled candidates, after which IRCC processes the federal permanent residence portion.
Adding a work permit through the International Mobility Program allows workers already selected by Quebec to continue working legally while awaiting completion of the permanent residence process.
Related to the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
This measure comes within the context of the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to reduce new temporary resident targets while keeping permanent residence stable. For Quebec, specific target details will only be finalized once the province publishes its own immigration plan.
Detailed information on the eligibility requirements and process for this measure is published on canada.ca. Interested applicants should check the current guidance, as the rules may be adjusted.
References
This article is compiled from government sources. Immigration regulations and figures may change over time; you should check current information on the official website before making a decision.
