Quebec has introduced a temporary public policy allowing spouses and common-law partners of certain permanent selection applicants to obtain open work permits, including in cases where they would normally be blocked by status or in-Canada application requirements.
The policy applies to spouses or common-law partners who are listed as accompanying a qualifying applicant for permanent selection in Quebec. Eligible spouses and partners may be issued an open work permit without meeting several usual conditions.
The exemptions cover:
- The requirement not to have engaged in unauthorized work or study.
- The requirement not to have committed certain more serious violations of temporary resident status conditions.
- The typical requirements for applying for a work permit from within Canada.
The policy can also apply to foreign nationals who are out of status, or who hold or previously held only visitor or student status, if they are applying to restore status as a worker together with their work permit application. They must still submit the work permit application within 90 days of having held temporary resident status.
For a spouse or common-law partner to qualify, the principal applicant must have:
- Been invited to apply for permanent selection through Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program, known as the PSTQ;
- Submitted a Demande de sélection permanente, or DSP, to Quebec; and
- Met one of three work permit situations.
The three qualifying situations are:
Valid work permit
The principal applicant holds a valid employer-specific work permit for a Quebec employer, expiring on or before December 31, 2026, and has applied to extend the work permit with the same employer.
Maintained status
The principal applicant has work authorization through maintained status for a Quebec employer after applying to extend an employer-specific work permit, and has submitted a later work permit application for the same employer.
Expired work permit
The principal applicant held an employer-specific work permit for a Quebec employer that expired in 2026 on or after March 13, and has applied either to extend their stay or restore status.
In all cases, the principal applicant must include confirmation with their work permit application that they submitted a DSP after receiving an invitation for permanent selection through the PSTQ.
The policy took effect on June 5, 2026. It applies to applications received on or after that date, as well as pending applications as of June 5, including applications made under the previous policy.
The new measure replaces the earlier temporary public policy that took effect on March 13, 2026. The updated policy is titled “Temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective permanent residence candidates in Quebec and their spouses and common-law partners.”
The policy is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, but as a temporary public policy, it may be revoked at any time without prior notice.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
