New Work Permit Option for Permanent Resident Applicants
Only for those who have received an invitation from the province of Quebec.
Foreign professionals who are invited by Quebec and are overseas may not have to wait for approval of their permanent residency applications by Immigration Canada. As of May 24, 2022, they are eligible to apply for the International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+), a three-year open work permit in Quebec that will be issued more quickly.
In order to obtain this permission, it is required:
- live outside Quebec at the time of application;
- have a Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ) confirming that the candidate is selected for permanent residency in the program for skilled professionals or an immigration pilot for specialists in artificial intelligence, information technology and visual effects;
- receive an IMP+ invitation letter from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Franchise and Integration (MIFI);
- submit a complete application for a work permit;
- pay the necessary fees.
An open work permit allows you to work for any company in Quebec, to quit your job if something goes wrong, and to apply for any other company. Family members accompanying the principal applicant will also receive open work permits, and children and students will receive study permits.
In 2022, no more than 14,700 IMP+ will be issued, which is how many people have received Quebec Selection Certificates in the past few years. From 2023, the annual application limit will be 7,350.
