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Temporary Work Permits In Quebec

The process of hiring foreign workers in Quebec varies from the procedure followed by other Canadian provinces.

EXEMPTION FROM THE LMIA PROCESS

The government of Quebec has simplified the process of hiring workers. There is no need to obtain an LMIA if the foreign worker –

Holds a valid work permit and is physically residing in Quebec.
Has applied for a PR under Quebec skilled worker program.
Has obtained a skilled worker Certificate of Selection in Quebec (CSQ) issued by the Quebec immigration authorities

In addition to the above conditions, any one of the following requirements must also be met-

He/she is willing to either extend the work permit for the current employer or renew the authorizing employer within Quebec.
He/she is an international student having a PGWP and an employment offer in Quebec.
He/she is joining a program under the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative.

FACILITATED LMIAS

According to the federal recruitment instructions, an employer has to advertise the vacancy for 28 days for Canadians, and if no Canadian is found suitable for the job, they can hire a foreign national after undergoing the LMIA process.

However, the employers in the province of Quebec are exempted from this task of advertising and need not give any recruitment proofs. They are known as facilitated LMIAs under the agreement between The Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion (MIDI) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Specialized OCCUPATIONS

A list of occupations is issued by the province of Quebec for which foreign nationals are hired after obtaining the facilitated LMIAs. The employers need to follow all other conditions of the LMIA process and meet the conditions of the temporary foreign worker program. If the nature of the job does not suit the list of occupations issued, the employer is needed to put an advertisement for the some, as per the general rule of recruitment.

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

The salary offered to the foreign workers must be equivalent to the wages paid to a Canadian or Permanent resident working for the same position in the same geographical area.

THE REGULAR LMIA PROCESS

A regular LMIA process is carried out in cases not mentioned above. The employer needs to submit all the relevant documents such as the complete application for the Quebec acceptance certificate signed by the foreign worker, etc. to the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion (MIDI).

The foreign employee needs to get a provisional offer of employment from the Quebec based employer, and he/she needs to be granted a temporary work permit by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Further, the application will lie in the discretion of IRCC for the issuance of a work permit.