Planning to immigrate to Canada in 2026? Good. Despite the substantial shifts and program suspensions seen in 2025 – particularly impacting Quebec – viable avenues for both temporary stays and permanent residency still exist. This guide cuts through the noise, detailing the essential options and the harsh realities you need to understand.

Temporary Stays: Work and Study in Canada

Many individuals begin their Canadian journey with a temporary status. This can be a strategic move, often serving as a stepping stone towards permanent residency. However, the rules are getting tighter, and knowing the specifics is paramount.

Working in Canada: Permits and Programs

To work or even intern in Canada, securing a work permit is non-negotiable. In most scenarios, a signed job offer is your golden ticket before you even think about starting the application process. Don't underestimate this requirement; it’s a critical bottleneck for many. Still, niche programs do offer exceptions.

Work Permit Types: Closed vs. Open

You essentially have two flavors of work permits: "closed" and "open." Understanding the distinction is crucial for your career flexibility.

• Closed Work Permits

  A closed work permit shackles you to a single employer, a specific position, and a defined work location. If you want to change jobs, you're back to square one, needing a fresh permit application. This type is frequently issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which mandates an employer-obtained Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA proves that no Canadian worker was available for the job. It's a bureaucratic hurdle, but a necessary one for many employers.

  • Current Restrictions Affecting TFWP and LMIAs

    The conditions of employment, including compensation and location, directly impact eligibility and duration. This is where many applicants get tripped up. For positions paid below the median wage ($34.62/hour in Quebec), the employment location is a significant factor. If the job is in a region with unemployment rates above 6%, obtaining a work permit is impossible. Conversely, if the unemployment rate is below 6%, the permit will likely be limited to one year.

    Positions paid above the median wage, fortunately, are exempt from these restrictions. Additionally, the International Mobility Program (IMP) remains unaffected by these measures, also offering avenues for closed work permits. It's a welcome relief for those targeting higher-skilled roles.

• Open Work Permits

  The coveted open work permit offers far greater freedom. It's not tied to any specific employer, allowing you to work for anyone and switch jobs freely. These permits are not subject to the current restrictive measures, making them incredibly attractive. The catch? They are significantly harder to obtain.

  Access is primarily through specific programs, notably the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, under the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) category. Other IEC categories, such as Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship), grant closed work permits but simplify the process for employers. Are you eligible for IEC? Criteria include being a citizen of a partner country and meeting age limits (typically under 30 or 35, depending on nationality). The IEC pools for the 2026 season are already open, with initial invitations rolling out the week of January 19, 2026. Don't drag your feet if this is your path.

Studying in Canada

If academia calls, a study permit is your ticket. Your first step? Gaining admission to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). After acceptance, you'll need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or a territorial attestation letter (TAL). For Quebec-bound students, this means first securing a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for the study permit. This multi-layered process means you need to be organized and ahead of the curve.

Quebec's Restrictive Measures for Students

Quebec has recently imposed maximum quotas on CAQs per institution for vocational, college, and university levels. This directly impacts admissions, especially for schools with a high number of international students. To avoid last-minute panic due to processing delays, it's wise to start your application as soon as you receive your acceptance letter, ideally by spring for a fall intake. Why wait? These quotas can fill up fast, leaving hopeful students stranded.

Permanent Residency: Your Long-Term Canadian Future

Permanent residency grants you the full spectrum of rights enjoyed by Canadian citizens, short of voting, and is the essential precursor to citizenship. It can be obtained either after a period of temporary status or directly from outside Canada. This is the goal for most serious immigrants.

Settling in Quebec

Historically, Quebec offered two primary routes to permanent residency. However, the landscape has drastically changed:

• The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ), formerly known as "ARRIMA," transitioned into the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) on November 29, 2024. This program is now the primary, if not sole, pathway for most individuals seeking permanent residency in Quebec.

• The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), which had two streams (skilled workers and Quebec-graduate students), was abolished on November 19, 2025. This was a significant blow to many applicants. The skilled worker stream was previously suspended in June 2025, and the student graduate stream in November 2024. So, if you were banking on PEQ, you're out of luck.

The PSTQ operates on a points system, with invitations issued to apply, much like the federal Express Entry system. It notably favors Francophones, those with Quebec education or work experience, and individuals in skilled or in-demand professions. Consequently, it's incredibly challenging for individuals with no prior Quebec connection to receive an invitation under PSTQ from outside Canada. Quebec is clearly prioritizing those already integrated or speaking French.

Entrepreneurship in Quebec

For business-minded individuals, Quebec offers three programs for business people: investors, entrepreneurs, or self-employed individuals. The Entrepreneur Program further subdivides into three streams: innovative business, start-up, or business acquisition. General eligibility criteria require applicants to be adults, francophone, hold a secondary or vocational diploma, and demonstrate significant financial assets. These programs now represent the only accessible options for obtaining Quebec permanent residency directly from outside Canada. The provincial government is clearly looking for economic drivers.

Settling in Canada, Outside Quebec

Quebec was once a prime destination for many Francophones. With the recent restrictions and program eliminations, however, many candidates are now looking to other provinces for their Canadian immigration ambitions. This shift in focus is pragmatic.

• Express Entry is arguably one of the fastest routes to permanent residency outside Quebec. It consolidates three federal programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class) and operates on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and invitation rounds. Your CRS score is determined by factors like age, education level, professional experience, and language proficiency (French and/or English). Are you accurately assessing your French language skills to maximize your score?

• The government also conducts targeted draws. These specifically invite candidates in high-demand occupations, skilled trades, or Francophones. Such targeted invitations significantly enhance your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is a game-changer if you fit one of these categories; it's a clear signal to emphasize those strengths.

Key Takeaways

• Quebec has imposed significant restrictions, making it challenging for non-French speakers and those without Quebec ties.
• Express Entry remains the best option for skilled workers outside Quebec, especially with targeted draws.
• Open work permits offer freedom but are harder to obtain than closed permits, which require specific employer sponsorship.
• French language proficiency significantly boosts chances, even outside Quebec, with targeted opportunities.
• Entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals have specific pathways in Quebec through distinct programs.