PDU - Labour Market Impact Assessment exemptions for certain Quebec Selection Certificate holders
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
The instructions on the page “Labour Market Impact Assessment-exempt work permit renewals and extensions for certain Quebec Selection Certificate holders currently in Quebec” provide that the validity of the work permit cannot exceed two years. Normally, this time limit should allow for the following:
- the applicant to have sufficient time to submit an application for permanent residence
- the application to be finalized before the work permit expires
However, there are cases where the applicant requires a work permit extension because their permanent residence application has not been finalized after two years.
The instructions have been updated to reflect that work permit extensions beyond the 2-year period are allowed, on a case-by-case basis, when permanent residence applications are in process but have not been finalized. However, work permit extensions should not exceed 1 year past the original 2 years.