Quebec expands open work permit to spouses of PSTQ candidates starting June 2026 | ImmigraCan

New public policy for spouses in Quebec

On June 5, 2026, IRCC announced a new public policy allowing spouses and common-law partners of candidates for Quebec's Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) to apply for an open work permit — the most flexible type of work permit in Canada, authorizing work for any employer in any province.

The measure represents an important extension of the program and directly benefits families who are in the process of permanent selection through Quebec, preventing spouses from having to wait until the main candidate receives permanent residence before being able to work freely.

Who qualifies

For the spouse/partner to apply for the open work permit, the couple must meet all of the following conditions:

On the spouse's side (applicant):

• Hold valid temporary status in Canada, or
• Have temporary status that expired within the last 90 days (restoration window)
• Be named on the main candidate's permanent selection application (Demande de sélection permanente) under the PSTQ

On the main candidate's side:

• Hold (or have held) an employer-specific work permit for work in Quebec
• The work permit expires on or before December 31, 2026, or has already expired within the period covered by the policy; or
• Hold a valid employer-specific work permit for a Quebec employer expiring by 12/31/2026 and have submitted a renewal with the same employer

Processing within 30 days

IRCC set a 30-day processing standard for applications under this public policy. To correctly trigger the benefit, applicants must include the code PPTR2PRQC2026 on their application — without this code, the request may be processed through the regular stream (with much longer timelines).

How to apply

The general process is:

1. Gather the Demande de sélection permanente of the main candidate proving the spouse is named on it
2. Prove valid status or status that expired within the last 90 days
3. Apply online for the open work permit through the IRCC portal
4. Include the code PPTR2PRQC2026 in the appropriate field
5. Attach proof of the main candidate's work permit and their connection to a Quebec employer

Work can start as soon as the permit is issued — not before.

Policy validity

The policy has been available since June 5, 2026 and runs until December 31, 2026. Applications received after that date will be assessed through the regular stream.

Context: why this change now?

Quebec underwent a reform of its economic selection system in 2024 and 2025, replacing the former Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) with the PSTQ, which uses Arrima-based scoring and stricter French requirements. The average time between the Demande de sélection permanente and the CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) increased, leaving many families in temporary limbo.

By allowing spouses to receive an open work permit immediately, IRCC:

• Retains talent that could otherwise leave Canada during the wait
• Eases financial pressure on families with only one authorized worker
• Facilitates integration into the province and hiring by Quebec employers

Impact for Brazilians in the PSTQ

Brazil has been one of the main source countries for PSTQ candidates in recent years, especially in IT, engineering, and healthcare. The new policy directly benefits Brazilian couples in which:

• The main candidate is in Quebec with an employer-specific work permit
• The spouse accompanied them on a visitor visa or a rigid closed work permit
• The Demande de sélection permanente has already been submitted with the spouse named on it

An open work permit lets the spouse work anywhere in Canada, which is especially useful in situations where the local labor market in the chosen city doesn't offer direct opportunities in the spouse's field.

Important cautions

• Don't confuse this with a regular open work permit: the open work permit under this policy is temporary and tied to the PSTQ. If the Demande is refused, the permit may be affected
• Short timeframe: the policy expires on 12/31/2026 — plan your application with margin
• Quebec documentation: besides the IRCC documents, the spouse may need to submit documents tied to Quebec's provincial process

Conclusion

The expansion of the open work permit to spouses of PSTQ candidates is a practical win for families going through Quebec's immigration process. Combined with the 30-day processing standard and the dedicated code, the measure cuts red tape and lets couples maintain income and integration while awaiting permanent residence.

If you're considering Quebec and want to understand your options, start with our guide to immigration programs and take the free eligibility quiz to find out if your profile fits the PSTQ or another Canadian program.

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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, IRCC, or Quebec's MIFI. Always confirm official data at canada.ca and quebec.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.*