Quebec has published its updated List of Occupations Eligible for Simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Processing. This list takes effect on February 24, 2025, and will remain valid until February 23, 2026. Employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) must ensure their job offer is on this list to benefit from a streamlined LMIA process.
A 30-day transition period, from February 24, 2025, to March 24, 2025, allows employers to submit applications under the 2024 list if the occupation is not included in the new version.
On This Page You Will Find:
- What Is the Simplified LMIA List?
- Key Changes and Transition Period
- Occupations Eligible for Simplified LMIA Processing
- Employer Requirements for Hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker
- How to Determine the Correct Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Simplified LMIA List?
The Simplified LMIA list applies to all of Quebec and reflects labour shortages across the province. This process helps employers hire salaried employees, excluding self-employed workers.
Certain occupations also qualify under the Global Talent Stream, giving employers flexibility to apply through either route.
Key Changes and Transition Period
Employers can still submit applications under the 2024 list during the 30-day transition period if their occupation is missing from the new list. After March 24, 2025, only the 2025 list will be valid.
NOC codes marked with an asterisk (*) indicate that only specific job titles under that category qualify.
Occupations Eligible for Simplified LMIA Processing
The following table lists occupations eligible for simplified LMIA processing:
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
| 13112 | Medical Administrative Assistants |
| 21222 | IT Specialists |
| 21223 | Database Analysts and Administrators |
| 21231 | Software Engineers and Designers |
| 21232 | Software Developers and Programmers |
| 21300 | Civil Engineers |
| 21301 | Mechanical Engineers |
| 21321 | Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers |
| 22100 | Chemistry Technologists and Technicians |
| 22213 | Surveying Technologists and Technicians |
| 22300 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 22301 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 22302 | Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 22310 | Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 22311 | Maintenance Electronics Technicians (Domestic and Commercial) |
| 22312 | Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics |
| 31100 | Clinical and Laboratory Medicine Specialists |
| 31102 | General Practitioners and Family Physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31112 | Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational Therapists |
| 31301 | Registered Nurses and Psychiatric Nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse Practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician Assistants, Midwives, and Paramedical Professionals |
| 32101 | Licensed Practical Nurses |
| 32103 | Respiratory Therapists, Cardiovascular Perfusionists, and Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists |
| 32111 | Dental Hygienists and Therapists |
| 32120 | Medical Laboratory Technologists |
| 32121 | Medical Radiation Technologists |
| 32123 | Cardiology Technologists and Diagnostic Electrophysiology Technologists |
| 33102* | Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (Only this title) |
| 41220 | Secondary School Teachers (Only for designated and recognized educational institutions) |
| 41221 | Primary and Preschool Teachers (Only for designated and recognized educational institutions) |
| 41300 | Social Workers |
| 41301 | Counselling Therapists and Related Specialized Therapies |
| 42201 | Social and Community Service Workers |
| 42202* | Early Childhood Educators (Only this title) |
| 42203 | Instructors for Persons with Disabilities |
| 62020* | Certified Food Service Supervisors (Only this title) |
| 63200* | Certified or Experienced Cooks (Only this title) |
| 63201 | Butchers – Wholesale and Retail |
| 63202 | Bakers and Pastry Chefs |
| 72100 | Machinists and Tooling Inspectors |
| 72102 | Sheet Metal Workers |
| 72105 | Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters |
| 72106 | Welders and Related Machine Operators |
| 72200 | Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System Electricians) |
| 72201 | Industrial Electricians |
| 72204 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers |
| 72301 | Pipefitters, Steamfitters, and Sprinkler System Installers |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72321 | Insulators |
Employer Requirements for Hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker
To hire a temporary foreign worker under the simplified LMIA process, employers must meet several requirements:
- Offer wages and working conditions comparable to those of Canadian workers in the same role.
- Provide a detailed job description, including required qualifications, experience, and skills.
- Demonstrate that the business is legally operating in Quebec and complies with immigration laws.
- Ensure the job is full-time and provides a neutral or positive impact on the labour market.
- Provide medical insurance until the worker becomes eligible for Quebec’s public healthcare system (RAMQ).
For positions with an hourly wage below $32.96, additional conditions apply:
- Employers must provide or assist in securing affordable housing.
- Employers must cover round-trip transportation costs from the worker’s home country.
- Employers must ensure that health insurance coverage meets RAMQ standards until public coverage applies.
Some occupations are not eligible for simplified LMIA processing, such as positions in payday loans, adult entertainment, and escort services.
How to Determine the Correct Salary
Employers must offer salaries equivalent to what Quebec workers earn in the same occupation. The salary must:
- Be at least equal to Quebec’s minimum wage.
- Exclude commissions, bonuses, overtime, or any non-guaranteed earnings.
- Follow salary guidelines outlined in Quebec’s official Salary Guide.
Salary classification depends on experience levels:
- 0-2 years of experience: Salary must meet or exceed the first quartile.
- 2-9 years of experience: Salary must meet or exceed the second quartile.
- 9+ years of experience: Salary must meet or exceed the third quartile.
Employers can reference the latest salary data from Quebec’s official Salary Guide or Canada’s Job Bank.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Simplified LMIA process in Quebec?
The Simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process allows Quebec employers to hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) without proving recruitment efforts. It applies to specific in-demand occupations and reduces processing time by eliminating the need to advertise the position before hiring a foreign worker.
Who qualifies for Quebec’s Simplified LMIA list?
The Simplified LMIA list includes occupations facing labour shortages in Quebec. These range from healthcare professionals and IT specialists to engineers and skilled trades workers. Employers must ensure their job offer matches an eligible occupation from the current list, which is updated annually.
What is the transition period for the new 2025 Simplified LMIA list?
Quebec has a 30-day transition period, from February 24 to March 24, 2025, allowing employers to submit applications using the 2024 list if their occupation is removed from the new version. After March 24, only occupations on the 2025 list will be eligible for Simplified LMIA processing.
What are the salary requirements for hiring a temporary foreign worker in Quebec?
Employers must offer salaries that align with Quebec’s official Salary Guide. Compensation should be at least equal to the median wage for the occupation and meet experience-based salary classifications. Wages must be competitive with Canadian workers in the same role and cannot include bonuses or commissions.
Do employers have additional obligations for lower-wage workers?
Yes. For positions with an hourly wage below $32.96, employers must assist with affordable housing, cover round-trip transportation costs from the worker’s home country, and provide private health insurance until the worker qualifies for Quebec’s public healthcare system (RAMQ).
