Quebec Expands Work Permits for PR Applicants’ Spouses

Quebec has introduced a new temporary policy that may help spouses and common-law partners of certain permanent selection applicants work legally in Canada.

The policy allows eligible spouses and common-law partners to apply for an open work permit without meeting some of the usual requirements. It applies to people listed as accompanying a qualifying applicant for permanent selection in Quebec.

The measure took effect on June 5, 2026, and applies to applications received on or after that date. It also applies to some pending applications already in the system.

Who The Policy Helps

The policy is aimed at spouses and common-law partners of applicants who are moving through Quebec’s permanent selection process.

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. They must also have submitted a Demande de sélection permanente, or DSP, to the province.

In simple terms, the main applicant must already be part of Quebec’s permanent selection process and must meet specific work permit-related conditions.

Exemptions For Spouses And Partners

Under the policy, eligible spouses and common-law partners may be exempt from some requirements normally needed for an open work permit and restoration of temporary resident status.

These exemptions include the requirement not to have worked or studied without authorization during a previous period. The policy also removes some usual restrictions linked to more serious violations of temporary resident conditions.

It also waives some of the usual requirements for applying for a work permit from inside Canada.

The policy can apply to foreign nationals who are out of status, or who hold or previously held visitor or student status. However, they must still apply within 90 days of having held temporary resident status if they are seeking restoration as workers.

Conditions For The Main Applicant

The principal applicant must fall under one of three situations.

First, they may hold a valid employer-specific work permit for a Quebec employer that expires on or before December 31, 2026. They must also have applied to extend that work permit with the same employer.

Second, they may have maintained work authorization for a Quebec employer while waiting on an extension of an employer-specific work permit. They must also have submitted a later work permit application for the same employer.

Third, they may have held an employer-specific work permit for a Quebec employer that expired in 2026 on or after March 13. In that case, they must have applied to extend their stay or restore their status.

In all cases, the main applicant must include proof that they submitted a DSP after receiving a PSTQ invitation.

Policy Replaces Earlier Measure

The new policy replaces an earlier temporary public policy that took effect on March 13, 2026.

It is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2026. Like other temporary public policies, it can be cancelled at any time without advance notice.

The policy was published on the immigration department’s website on June 5, 2026.