Planning to work in Québec as a foreign national? The process can involve both the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada. This guide explains Canadian work permits, Québec's temporary foreign worker process, CAQ requirements, LMIA rules, documents, fees and the main steps for working legally in Québec.
Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada, including people who plan to work in Québec. There are, however, specific situations where a person may work without a work permit.
Canada recognizes two broad types of work permits:
An employer-specific permit is the more common route for a foreign worker who has received a Québec job offer. An open work permit is only available to people who meet specific eligibility requirements.
You cannot simply choose an open work permit because you prefer one. Your immigration situation determines which type of permit you may qualify for.
Check the official Canadian work-permit requirements .
An employer-specific work permit is commonly used when a Québec employer wants to hire a foreign worker for a particular position.
The permit can contain conditions relating to:
If you have an employer-specific permit, you generally cannot simply change employers and start another job without first obtaining the authorization required for the new employment.
Depending on the immigration program, your employer may need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or the job may qualify for an LMIA exemption.
Official Canada employer-specific work permit information .
Québec has its own role in the temporary foreign worker process. Under the Québec Temporary Foreign Worker Program, a foreign worker normally begins with a job offer from a Québec employer.
The employer and worker then complete the required Québec and federal immigration steps.
For applicable Temporary Foreign Worker Program positions, the worker may need:
The exact requirements depend on the occupation, duration of employment, immigration program, nationality and whether an exemption applies.
Government of Québec: Temporary Foreign Worker Program .
The Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) is a Québec immigration document used in certain temporary-worker situations. It is separate from the federal Canadian work permit.
For workers who require the Québec temporary selection process, Québec and Canada each have a role:
| Stage | Authority | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Québec temporary selection | Government of Québec | Assesses the worker under Québec's applicable temporary-worker requirements. |
| CAQ | Government of Québec | Provides Québec authorization where a CAQ is required. |
| Work permit | Government of Canada | Authorizes the foreign national to work in Canada under the conditions of the permit. |
Not every worker needs a CAQ. Certain LMIA-exempt situations and other categories can have different requirements, so applicants should check the rules for their specific job and immigration program.
No. Some jobs and immigration categories are exempt from the LMIA requirement. These cases can fall under Canada's International Mobility Program (IMP) or another special immigration category.
Examples of LMIA-exempt situations can include certain:
An LMIA exemption does not automatically mean that a person can work without a work permit. A work permit can still be required.
Employers using the International Mobility Program generally submit an offer of employment through Canada's Employer Portal and may need to pay the employer compliance fee unless an exemption applies.
Learn about Canada's International Mobility Program .
An open work permit is not tied to one specific employer. However, only certain foreign nationals are eligible.
Possible categories can include certain:
The exact document checklist is generated according to your application and immigration category. Documents can vary considerably between an LMIA-required application, an LMIA-exempt application, an open work permit and other special programs.
Common documents may include:
Do not assume that every applicant needs every document on this list. IRCC provides a personalized document checklist based on the application.
The federal Canadian work permit processing fee is currently CAD $155.
Applicants who require biometrics generally pay an additional CAD $85 individual biometrics fee.
For Québec temporary selection applications, the Québec fee is CAD $233 per temporary foreign worker from January 1, 2026 when the applicable temporary selection application is required.
| Fee | 2026 Amount | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian work permit processing | CAD $155 | Government of Canada |
| Biometrics | CAD $85 individual | Government of Canada |
| Québec temporary selection application | CAD $233 per worker | Government of Québec |
Fees can change. Always verify the current amount on the official government website immediately before submitting an application.
Many foreign nationals applying for an initial Canadian work permit need to provide fingerprints and a photograph unless they qualify for an exemption.
After submitting the application and paying the applicable biometrics fee, applicants who need biometrics normally receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) with instructions for collection.
Biometrics can also affect the maximum validity period of a temporary immigration document because Canada cannot issue a visa or permit beyond the applicable biometrics validity.
Official Canadian biometrics information .
The process usually starts with a genuine job offer from an employer established in Québec when you are applying through an employer-specific temporary-worker route.
Potential sources include Québec employers, recruitment programs such as Journées Québec, employer websites and other legitimate job-search channels.
Québec government information about obtaining an employment offer .
Your employer must determine whether the position requires an LMIA or qualifies for an LMIA exemption.
This is an employer-side immigration requirement and should not be guessed by the worker.
If the position is subject to Québec's temporary foreign worker selection process, the employer and worker complete the applicable Québec application.
A CAQ may be required depending on the circumstances.
After the necessary Québec and employer documents are available, the worker applies to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the Canadian work permit.
Applications from outside Canada are generally submitted online through the IRCC application system.
If biometrics are required, follow the instructions in the Biometrics Instruction Letter and attend an authorized collection location.
Processing time varies according to the applicant's country, application type, program and other circumstances.
Do not rely on a fixed number of weeks as a universal processing time. Check the official IRCC processing-time tool for your specific application.
If your application is approved from outside Canada, you will normally receive instructions or documentation confirming the approval.
Depending on your nationality, you may also need a Canadian visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.
| Document | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| Work Permit | Authorizes you to work in Canada under specified conditions. |
| Visitor Visa (TRV) | May be required to travel to Canada depending on nationality and circumstances. |
| eTA | Electronic travel authorization used by eligible visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada. |
| CAQ | Québec authorization used in certain temporary-worker situations. |
For a first work-permit application from outside Canada, IRCC may issue the necessary entry document automatically when applicable. Check your approval documents and nationality-specific entry requirements before travelling.
Once you arrive in Québec and begin working, several practical steps may be necessary. These can include:
Your work permit should be reviewed carefully after it is issued. If there is an error in your employer, occupation, location or other important information, address it before starting work.
Québec has employers in many sectors that recruit workers internationally. The availability of positions changes over time and depends on labour-market conditions, employer requirements and immigration rules.
Foreign workers may find opportunities in areas such as:
Professional licensing can be an additional requirement for regulated occupations. Having a Canadian work permit does not automatically give you authorization to practise a regulated profession.
French is an important part of working and living in Québec. Depending on the employer, occupation and workplace, French-language ability may be an important employment requirement.
Some immigration programs also contain French-language requirements or incentives. Applicants should check the rules that apply to their particular immigration route rather than assuming that English alone will be sufficient for every Québec job.
Learning French can also make it easier to communicate with employers, government services, customers and colleagues.
Foreign workers can live in many parts of Québec depending on where their employer is located.
Montréal is Québec's largest metropolitan area and has a broad employment market covering technology, finance, healthcare, education, culture, manufacturing and professional services.
Québec City offers employment opportunities in government, healthcare, technology, education, tourism, services and other sectors.
Laval is part of the Montréal metropolitan region and can be an option for workers who want access to Montréal-area employment while considering housing outside central Montréal.
Explore LavalWorkers can also find employment in regional Québec, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, forestry, tourism and specialized trades.
Before accepting a Québec job offer, calculate the expected cost of housing, transportation, food, insurance, utilities and other expenses.
The salary stated in a job offer should not be considered in isolation. The amount you actually receive after taxes and deductions can differ substantially from the gross salary.
See our related guides:
Depending on your immigration situation, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be able to accompany you to Canada.
Their immigration documents are not automatically identical to yours. For example, a family member may need a visitor visa, study permit or work permit depending on their circumstances.
Eligibility for an open work permit for a spouse or partner can also depend on the worker's occupation, permit validity and current Canadian immigration rules.
Check the current IRCC requirements for each family member before travelling.
If you have an employer-specific work permit, your permit normally identifies the conditions under which you may work.
You should not assume that you can leave the employer named on your permit and begin working for another employer immediately.
If you want to change employers, determine what new authorization is required before starting the new job.
The rules can be different for open work permit holders because their permits are not tied to one employer in the same way.
If your work permit is approaching its expiry date and you want to continue working, you should examine extension requirements well before the permit expires.
Depending on your situation, the employer may need to complete a new LMIA process, Québec process or LMIA-exempt offer of employment.
Some workers in Québec can benefit from special temporary measures introduced in 2026, but these measures have specific eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Do not assume that a special extension program applies to every temporary foreign worker.
Check current Canadian work-permit extension rules .
Temporary foreign workers in Québec have employment rights and protections. Employers must comply with applicable Québec employment requirements and their obligations toward foreign workers.
A worker should receive an employment contract and should understand the wage, working conditions, duration and other terms of employment.
Verify the employer, recruitment agency and immigration representative independently.