Effective April 30^th, 2015, certain elements from the general Canadian LMIA application process have been incorporated into the unique Quebec LMIA application process. These elements include:

• LMIAs for high-wage positions in Quebec must now provide a transition plan. This rule will be relaxed, however, where an employer is looking to hire a worker in one the approved occupations listed under Quebec’s LMIA program.
• The introduction of a cap on the number of low-wage workers that a Quebec employer may hire. By July 1^st, 2016, Quebec employers may only have 10% of their work force made up of foreign, low-wage workers.
• The implementation of new wage streams for assessing LMIAs.
• Updates to the provincial/territorial median hourly wages.
• Modifications to worker protections.
• A ban on processing applications for specific low-wage/lower-skilled occupations in the Accommodation and Food Services sector and the Retail Trade sector. This ban only applies in economic regions that have an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
• Updates to unemployment rates by economic region.
• The duration of employment of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions to is now limited to a period of 1 year.
• Ban on processing applications from employers whose LMIA has been revoked in the past 2 years.

For more information on the Quebec LMIA application process, click here. (The Quebec LMIA Application Process and Extensions to Quebec Work Permits.).

Quebec has identified certain high-skilled occupations that are in high-demand and in areas with labor shortages. The LMIA applications for these occupations are exempted from including proof of recruitment efforts. More information about Quebec’s facilitated process can be found here.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.