Quebec has unique rules for hiring temporary foreign workers. Employers often need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and must submit applications to both the federal government and Quebec’s immigration ministry. In some cases, eligible workers with Quebec ties can be hired without an LMIA. This guide explains the paths, the paperwork, and the special measures that currently apply in Montreal, Laval and other parts of the province.
On This Page You Will Find
- Who needs an LMIA in Quebec and when an exemption applies
- How unnamed LMIAs and ARRIMA work
- Current refusals to process low‑wage LMIAs in Montreal, Laval and CMAs with 6%+ unemployment
- Facilitated LMIA process and wage streams
- Quebec‑specific forms, French‑language rules and simultaneous submissions to MIFI and ESDC
- Prioritised occupations list for Quebec
- Primary agriculture advertising suspension through 31 December 2025
- Steps for employers and foreign workers, plus LMIA revocation and collective agreement notes
- FAQ on processing, refusals and worker categories
1) The Basics: Quebec and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) lets employers fill short‑term gaps when no qualified Canadians are available. In Quebec, most hires require an LMIA. Key Quebec differences:
- Submit the LMIA to Service Canada and simultaneously to Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
- All Quebec LMIA applications and supporting documents must be in French. Choose French in LMIA Online before you start.
- For hires over 30 consecutive days, simultaneous submission to ESDC and MIFI is mandatory.
High‑wage vs low‑wage
- At or above Quebec’s wage threshold → high‑wage stream requirements.
- Below Quebec’s wage threshold → low‑wage stream requirements and caps.
Collective agreements
If the job is covered by a collective agreement, you must pay the agreed rate, extend equivalent benefits to TFWs, and ensure hiring won’t adversely affect any labour dispute.
2) Submitting Unnamed LMIAs via ARRIMA
Employers can submit unnamed LMIA applications in Quebec through MIFI’s ARRIMA platform (with some exceptions). Service Canada will assess unnamed applications and may issue an unnamed LMIA if program requirements are met. Once approved, employers match candidates later.
3) Current Refusals to Process Low‑Wage LMIA Applications
CMAs with unemployment 6% or higher
From 26 September 2024, LMIAs below the provincial wage threshold in any CMA with an unemployment rate of 6%+ won’t be processed, subject to listed exemptions.
Montreal and Laval – temporary refusal windows
- Montreal: 3 September 2024 to 30 November 2025
- Laval: 3 March 2025 to 30 November 2025
During these periods, low‑wage LMIA applications below Quebec’s wage threshold won’t be processed for jobs located in these economic regions. If Montreal’s CMA unemployment is 6%+ at the time, the broader 6%+ CMA rule also applies. Some exemptions may exist (for example, in‑home caregivers as specified).
Applications that meet refusal criteria are closed without a processing fee.
4) Quebec‑Specific Exemptions from the LMIA Process
Quebec simplifies hiring for certain foreign workers already tied to the province. Employers do not need an LMIA if the worker:
- Has a valid work permit, and
- Holds a Quebec Skilled Worker CSQ, and
- Resides in Quebec, and
- Has applied for permanent residence under the Quebec Skilled Worker class, and
- Falls into one of these categories:
- Extending work permit with current employer in Quebec
- Renewing work authorisation with a new employer in Quebec
- PGWP holder with a job offer in Quebec
- IEC participant extending with current employer or renewing with a new employer in Quebec
Other federal LMIA or work‑permit exemptions may apply under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. If none apply, use the regular or facilitated LMIA processes.
5) Regular LMIA Process – Steps for Quebec Employers
- Check the stream
Determine high‑wage or low‑wage based on Quebec’s wage threshold. - Prepare the LMIA Online application
Complete the federal LMIA and compile all stream‑specific documents. - Submit in French to MIFI at the same time
- Send a French copy of what you filed with ESDC.
- Include all MIFI‑required documents (French only).
- Decision and CAQ
If approved by ESDC and MIFI, you will receive a joint confirmation letter and the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). Provide both to the worker. - Worker applies to IRCC
The worker applies for a work permit with IRCC using the confirmation letter and CAQ.
LMIA revocation
Before the work permit is issued, an LMIA may be revoked if:
- The application contained false or misleading information.
- New facts would have changed the original labour‑market assessment.
- The opinion was based on a material mistake of fact.
6) Facilitated LMIA Process in Quebec
MIFI and ESDC streamline LMIAs for selected specialised occupations (updated each year on 24 February). Employers:
- Do not need to provide proof of recruitment.
- Must still apply under high‑wage or low‑wage streams according to the wage offered.
- For low‑wage facilitated LMIAs, the cap on low‑wage positions applies.
- Employment duration: up to 3 years (1 year for low‑wage), longer only in exceptional cases with rationale.
- Transition plans: required for all high‑wage facilitated LMIAs from the second application onward for the same occupation at the same location (first application is exempt).
Important: The separate “refusal to process” rules for low‑wage positions and for Montreal/Laval supersede facilitated lists where applicable.
7) Prioritised Occupations in Quebec
These occupations are currently prioritised. Roles marked with * are also exempt from minimum recruitment requirements.
- 31100* – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101* – Specialists in surgery
- 31102* – General practitioners and family physicians
- 31120* – Pharmacists
- 31301* – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 31302* – Nurse practitioners
- 31303* – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- 32101* – Licensed practical nurses
- 32103* – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 32109* – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- 32120* – Medical laboratory technologists
- 32124* – Pharmacy technicians
- 32129* – Other medical technologists and technicians
- 33101* – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- 33102* – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- 33103* – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- 33109* – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- 41200 – University professors and lecturers
- 41210 – College and other vocational instructors
- 41220 – Secondary school teachers
- 41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
- 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- 45100 – Student monitors, crossing guards and related occupations
- 63201 – Butchers – Retail and wholesale
- 65202 – Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale
- 65310* – Light‑duty cleaners
- 82030* – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- 84120* – Specialised livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- 85100* – Livestock labourers
- 85101* – Harvesting labourers
- 85103* – Nursery and greenhouse labourers
- 94141 – Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
- 94142 – Fish and seafood plant workers
- 95106 – Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing
- 95107 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing
If a NOC is also on Quebec’s annual facilitated list, the facilitated LMIA rules apply in addition to any priority handling.
8) Primary Agriculture – Advertising Suspension Until 31 December 2025
For primary agriculture LMIAs filed 12 January 2022 through 31 December 2025, minimum advertising requirements are suspended. Employers should still try to recruit Canadians and permanent residents, but do not need to meet TFWP minimum advertising or submit proof with the LMIA.
9) Steps for Foreign Workers
- If LMIA is required: Wait for the employer’s ESDC/MIFI approvals and CAQ, then apply to IRCC for the work permit.
- If LMIA‑exempt under Quebec rules: Confirm you meet the CSQ + residence + PR‑file conditions and fall in an eligible category (extension, new employer in Quebec, PGWP with job offer, or IEC extension/renewal). Apply to IRCC with supporting evidence.
- Biometrics and admissibility: Meet IRCC’s biometrics, medical (if applicable) and admissibility requirements.
10) Practical Tips and Pitfalls
- Language: File everything to MIFI in French.
- Simultaneous filing: Send applications to ESDC and MIFI at the same time for jobs over 30 days.
- Region rules: Check refusal‑to‑process rules before filing low‑wage LMIAs in Montreal or Laval, or in CMAs with 6%+ unemployment.
- Wage compliance: Offer wages consistent with local rates; misalignment leads to negative LMIA decisions.
- Cap awareness: Low‑wage positions are subject to caps – plan headcount accordingly.
- Revocation risk: Be accurate and complete; new facts or errors can trigger LMIA revocation pre‑permit.
FAQ
1) Can I hire without an LMIA in Quebec if my candidate already has a CSQ?
Yes, if the worker lives in Quebec, holds a valid work permit, has applied for PR under the Quebec Skilled Worker class, and is extending with the same employer, moving to a new Quebec employer, is on a PGWP with a job offer, or is an IEC participant extending or renewing. Otherwise, you likely need an LMIA.
2) What is the difference between regular and facilitated LMIA in Quebec?
The facilitated process targets specialised, in‑demand jobs and waives recruitment proof, but you still follow high‑wage or low‑wage rules and caps. The list updates each 24 February. The regular process applies to other jobs and needs full recruitment steps. Refusal‑to‑process rules can still override either route.
3) Why was my low‑wage Montreal LMIA not processed?
Between 3 September 2024 and 30 November 2025 in Montreal, and 3 March to 30 November 2025 in Laval, Service Canada will not process low‑wage LMIAs below Quebec’s wage threshold for jobs in those regions, subject to limited exemptions. If the Montreal CMA unemployment is 6%+, the broader CMA refusal rules may also apply.
4) How long can Quebec LMIA‑based work last?
Under the facilitated process, work authorisation can be granted for up to 3 years (low‑wage typically up to 1 year). Duration must reflect real business needs, with extensions possible in limited, well‑justified cases. Regular LMIAs follow stream rules and business need as assessed by ESDC and MIFI.
5) What could cause an LMIA to be revoked before the worker gets the permit?
An LMIA can be revoked if the application contained false or misleading details, if new facts would have changed the labour‑market opinion, or if there was a material mistake of fact. Accurate filings, consistent wages and adherence to Quebec’s French‑language and simultaneous‑submission rules help manage this risk.
