Work Permit Options for Quebec Permanent Residence Applicants

Maintaining valid worker status is important not only for the principal applicant but also because, in many cases, eligible family members can extend their own status as well. Planning ahead helps ensure your entire family can remain in Canada legally while waiting for a final permanent residence decision.

The Canadian Government offers several work permit options, depending on where you are in the immigration process. Below, we’ll explain the three main pathways for Quebec PR applicants: the A75 Bridging Open Work Permit, the A73 employer-specific work permit, and the R01 temporary public policy work permit.

Option 1: A75 – Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

Who is the A75 work permit for?

The A75 Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is available to certain economic immigration applicants whose federal permanent residence application is already being processed.

Unlike many other Quebec work permits, the A75 is an open work permit, meaning you are not restricted to working for a single employer.

To qualify for an A75 work permit, you must:

• Be residing in Quebec.
• Have valid worker status, maintained status, or be eligible to restore your status as a worker.
• Be the principal applicant on an eligible permanent residence application.
• Have submitted your federal PR application, and it must have passed the R10 completeness check.
• Have held a valid Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) when the federal PR application was submitted.

Option 2: A73 – Employer-Specific Work Permit for CSQ Holders

Who is the A73 work permit for?

The A73 LMIA-exempt work permit is designed for foreign nationals who are currently living in Quebec, hold an eligible CSQ, and wish to continue working for a Quebec employer.

Unlike the A75, this is an employer-specific work permit, meaning you may only work for the employer listed on your permit and having a job offer is mandatory.

Applicants must:

• Be the principal applicant on the CSQ application.
• Be living in Quebec.
• Have valid temporary resident status or be eligible for restoration.
• Have valid work authorization or be eligible to restore it.
• Have a valid job offer from a Quebec employer.
• Have an Employer Portal offer of employment number beginning with the letter “A.”

Option 3: R01 – Temporary Public Policy for PSTQ Applicants 

Who is the R01 work permit for?

The R01 work permit is a temporary public policy introduced for certain workers who:

• Were invited to apply under Quebec’s Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ); and
• Submitted their application for permanent selection to the Government of Quebec.

The policy allows eligible applicants to obtain an LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit while Quebec assesses their permanent selection application.

Applications must be submitted on or before December 31, 2026. As this is a temporary public policy, IRCC may modify or revoke it without notice.

Applicants must:

• Be the principal applicant.
• Have been invited under the PSTQ.
• Have submitted their Quebec permanent selection application.
• Hold (or have recently held) an employer-specific work permit for a Quebec employer.
• Have a new job offer from the same employer listed on the current or expired work permit.
• Continue working for that employer in Quebec.
• Meet the public policy’s status or restoration requirements.

Eligible status situations include:

• A valid employer-specific work permit that expires on or before December 31, 2026.
• An expired employer-specific work permit where the worker applied for an extension before expiry and currently has maintained status.
• A work permit that expired between March 13 and December 31, 2026, where the worker is currently out of status but eligible under the public policy.

LMIA and CAQ Requirements in Quebec

Many applicants wonder whether they also need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

For most LMIA-exempt Quebec work permits (like the options above), employers do not need to obtain an LMIA. 

However, employers must still submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal in most employer-specific LMIA-exempt cases. A common exception is the A75 Bridging Open Work Permit, which does not require an employer-specific job offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while waiting for PR in Quebec?

Yes. However, you must maintain valid temporary resident status. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for an A75, A73, R01, or another work permit category.

Can I work if I hold a CSQ?

Not automatically. Receiving a CSQ alone does not grant any working rights. You must maintain a valid work permit until PR is issued.

Can my spouse get a work permit?

Possibly. Eligibility depends on the work permit category, on the stage of the PR process, on the profile of the main applicant and the spouse, among other factors.

What happens if my work permit expires before I receive permanent residence?

You should explore your work permit options well before your current permit expires. Waiting too long could result in losing your legal status in Canada and your authorization to work.

How do I choose the right type of Work Permit?

The A75, A73, and R01 are the most common work permit options for Quebec permanent residence applicants, but they are not the only ones. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify under another LMIA-exempt category, an employer-supported work permit, or another temporary resident pathway.

The most important thing is to plan ahead. Don’t wait until your work permit is about to expire to explore your options. Applying under the correct work permit category can help you maintain legal status, continue working, and avoid unnecessary interruptions while waiting for your permanent residence decision. It may also be a must for certain CSQ applications. 

If you’re unsure which work permit is right for your situation, seeking professional guidance early can help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your immigration process on track.