Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, effective June 5, 2026, it has expanded its temporary measure to support Quebec workers and employers.
Under the original measure, announced on March 13, 2026, eligible workers can get an employer‑specific work permit under the International Mobility Program, allowing them to keep working for their current employer for up to 12 more months. This gives the government of Quebec more time to review their eligibility for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) before they apply for permanent residence.
Since June 5, 2026, once a temporary foreign worker is found eligible under this public policy, their spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit if they have valid temporary resident status in Canada (or if their status expired in the last 90 days).
The spouse or common-law partner must also be named on the principal applicant’s permanent selection application (Demande de sélection permanente) for Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés). The measure remains open until the end of 2026.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.