Quebec Foreign Workers Can Now Get a 12-Month Work Permit Extension

The federal government has introduced a new temporary measure giving eligible foreign workers in Quebec the ability to extend their employer-specific work permits by up to 12 months. The policy responds directly to a formal request from the Quebec government, which had flagged acute labour shortages in key sectors.

Who Is Eligible

The extension applies to foreign workers in Quebec who hold a valid employer-specific work permit and whose permit is nearing expiry. Workers must remain with the same employer to qualify for the extension under this measure. Eligible sectors include those with documented labour shortages, particularly in manufacturing, food processing, and services.

Why Quebec Asked for This

Quebec has been navigating the same permit expiry wave affecting the rest of Canada, but with an added layer of complexity: the province's distinct immigration system and employer-driven workforce needs mean that standard federal transition pathways do not always apply cleanly. The provincial government argued that losing experienced workers mid-season or mid-project would cause significant operational disruption for employers who had built their labour plans around these individuals.

The Broader Context

Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab acknowledged the extension as a targeted relief measure, while also noting that temporary foreign workers are not a long-term solution to labour shortages. The government has said it intends to use the window created by extensions to improve the speed of permanent residence pathways for workers in these sectors.

How to Apply

Workers eligible for this measure should apply through their employer using the standard work permit renewal process. Applications should clearly reference the Quebec temporary measure and include supporting documentation from the employer confirming continued employment.