Working in Quebec
Quebec's facilitated LMIA process: what it changes for employers
No proof of recruitment for listed occupations, but still an LMIA. The February 24 list, wage streams, and the Montréal and Laval low-wage limits.
Quebec has a shortcut that many employers misunderstand: the facilitated LMIA process. For occupations on a list set by Quebec, you don't have to include proof of recruitment efforts with your LMIA application. It's still an LMIA, not an exemption, and wage rules, the low-wage restrictions in Montreal and Laval, and the CAQ still apply. Based on Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) pages checked on October 17, 2026.
Key takeaways
- The list of specialized occupations is updated every February 24 by the MIFI and Québec emploi; the current one dates from February 24, 2026. Employers get 30 calendar days to transition each year.
- It covers occupations in TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 (former skill levels 0, A and B), but only those on the list.
- No proof of recruitment with the application, but you must keep making best efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents.
- High-wage or low-wage stream depends on the wage offered versus Quebec's hourly threshold.
- Until December 31, 2026, certain low-wage LMIA applications in the Montréal and Laval economic regions won't be processed.
- Applications go simultaneously to ESDC and the MIFI, in French.
Step 1: confirm the occupation is on the current list
Find the NOC code that matches the job's real main duties, not just its title, then look for that code on the current list (published in French). A job title that sounds similar proves nothing; an old copy of the list isn't reliable after February 24. If the list changes while you prepare your file, follow ESDC's 30-day transition rule.
Step 2: pick the wage stream
| Wage offered | Stream | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| At or above Quebec's hourly wage threshold | High-wage | Transition plan required, except for the first LMIA request for the same occupation and work location under the facilitated process. Up to 3 years of employment when no Canadians or permanent residents are available (longer only in exceptional circumstances) |
| Below the threshold | Low-wage | Low-wage stream requirements, cap on the proportion of low-wage positions, maximum duration of 1 year, and the refusal-to-process rules below |
Whatever the stream, the wage must match what Canadians and permanent residents earn in the same occupation and area. If the position is unionized, you must pay the collective agreement rate and extend the same benefits.
Step 3: check the Montreal and Laval restrictions
- Since September 26, 2024, ESDC doesn't process certain LMIA applications for low-wage positions in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
- Until December 31, 2026, certain low-wage applications in the economic regions of Montréal and Laval aren't processed. If the Montréal area's unemployment rate is 6% or higher, the 6% rules decide.
Exemptions exist; check ESDC's "Hiring in the province of Quebec" page before preparing a low-wage file in the Montreal area.
Step 4: file correctly
For a job in Quebec of more than 30 consecutive days, submit the LMIA application through LMIA Online, simultaneously to ESDC and the MIFI, and in French (choose French in LMIA Online before you start). Make sure you really want the facilitated process: if you change your mind after applying, you must cancel and reapply, and processing fees are neither refunded nor transferred.
After the LMIA
A positive LMIA isn't a work permit. The worker still needs the Quebec CAQ for work where required and an IRCC work permit before starting. A regulated profession also needs authorization from the Quebec regulator. Our LMIA in Quebec page and the guide on hiring a foreign worker in Quebec go through the whole sequence. Not sure an LMIA is even needed? See LMIA or LMIA exemption.
Employers can describe the position or book a consultation; see also our employer services.
Frequently asked questions
Is the facilitated process an LMIA exemption?
No. You still apply for an LMIA; you just don't attach proof of recruitment efforts for listed occupations.
Can ESDC still ask about recruitment?
Yes. ESDC may request information or documents, for example if there's reason to believe you made no effort to recruit Canadians or permanent residents.
Does the list ever change?
Every year on February 24, with 30 calendar days to transition. Always check the current version before filing.
Official sources
Official pages consulted on October 17, 2026:
More in this series
- A Quebec job offer: what foreign workers should check before applying for a work permit
- Employer-specific work permit in Quebec: how to change jobs without losing your status
- Francophone Mobility: an LMIA-exempt work permit for French speakers outside Quebec
- Hiring a foreign worker in Quebec: how the LMIA, the CAQ and the work permit fit together
- International Experience Canada: from profile to work permit, step by step
- LMIA or LMIA-exempt work permit: how employers and workers tell the difference
About this guide
Written for Visa Canada Rouge, a Montreal immigration consultancy led by Moadh Rahmaoui, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB, licence R534941, listed on the public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration requirements, fees and processing times change often: check them on the official websites (canada.ca, quebec.ca) when you apply. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Every file is different.
This guide covers the general rules. To find out what applies to you, talk to a regulated consultant.