Apply for an open work permit before obtaining your permanent residence

The International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+) allows you to obtain an open work permit for a maximum period of three years. This permit allows you to come to Québec more quickly and integrate into the labour market. It is limited to Québec.

Every year, a total of 7,000 skilled workers may obtain an open work permit under this program. Exceptionally, up- to 14,000 permits may be issued in 2022, to include the permits that could have been issued in 2021 under the agreement made with the Government of Canada on August 4, 2021.

People who comply with the following conditions are eligible for the program:

Have obtained a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec Selection Certificate) as a skilled worker

You must hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec Selection Certificate), obtained under the Regular Skilled Worker Program or the Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sectors.

Have not yet obtained permanent residence

You must be in one of the following situations:

• Not have applied for permanent residence. In this case, the validity period of your CSQ must not have expired;
• Have applied for permanent residence, but have not yet obtained a decision.

Reside abroad

You must reside abroad or in a province other than Québec.

Exclusions

You are not eligible for this program if:

• You have received a positive decision on your application for permanent residence;
• Your application for permanent residence was refused by the Government of Canada;
• Your CSQ is no longer valid and you have not yet applied for permanent residence.

Spouse who accompanies you

If you are eligible, your legal or de facto spouse may also obtain an open work permit for a maximum period of three years as the legal or de facto spouse accompanying a temporary foreign worker.

Children who accompany you

Your dependent children may accompany you and pursue studies in Québec. To study in Québec, they will generally have to obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate. For more details, go to Obtaining authorizations to study in Québec .

If you hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate) obtained under the Regular Skilled Worker Program or the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies and Visual Effects Permanent Immigration Pilot Program, you can receive a communication from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration. It will enable you to apply for an open work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), if you meet the related conditions.

You will have 90 days effective from the mailing date of this correspondence to apply to IRCC.

Only those who receive a communication may submit a permit application to the IRCC. For an instruction guide and the forms for a work application under the IMP+, go to the IRCC  site.

To facilitate your integration in Québec and learn more about the services made available to you by the Government, we invite you to check the following pages: Settle and integrate in Québec and Integration service for immigrants.