On May 24, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+) is open for applications now. This is a new work permit option for the selected permanent residence candidates in Quebec.

Previously, skilled workers selected by Quebec from overseas had to wait for their permanent residence application to be approved before living and working in Quebec. However, with the introduction of the IMP+ work permit, those Quebec-selected skilled workers who are currently living elsewhere can move to the province and start working and settling sooner in Quebec.  

In order to be eligible for a province-restricted open work permit under the IMP+ program, a foreign national must meet certain requirements:

• be living outside of Quebec when they apply
• hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) that proves they have been selected for permanent residence through the Regular Skilled Worker Program or the permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sectors
• have received an IMP+ letter of invitation from Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)
• submit a complete application for a work permit, including the applicable fees

Once the IMP+ permit is approved, the applicant will receive a province-specific open work permit, which is valid for 3 years. The permit allows holders to work for almost any employer in Quebec. Accompanying family members will be able to get study permits and open work permits through current measures.

There will be a maximum intake limit of 14,700 applications for IMP+ in 2022, taking into account the possibility of eligibility for those who held CSQs in previous years. From 2023, the annual intake limit for applications will be reduced to 7,350 annually.