In-Demand Professions in Quebec : Discover the New List for LMIA Facilitated Process

Every year, February 24th is a date eagerly awaited by many employers facing labor shortages.

It marks the publication of the list of in-demand professions in the province, eligible for the facilitated procedures to obtain a work permit.

Employers wishing to hire temporary foreign workers in these professions can use an LMIA under Quebec’s facilitated process. Explanation.

What is the list of professions eligible for the facilitated process ?

The list of professions eligible for facilitated processing is established by Québec Emploi in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI).

Furthermore, it is revised annually to consider the evolving labor needs of all regions of Quebec. Thus, the list includes various professions in shortage and/or in need of labor throughout the province.

Marked by the removal of many professions, the new list of 60 professions came into effect on February 24, 2026. The list is in French only.

As every year, a transitional period of one month, until March 26, 2026 inclusive, is granted to employers. In other words, applications received by the Ministry or by Employment and Social Development Canada (“ESDC”) during this period can be reviewed based on the old list, in case the targeted profession does not appear on the new list in effect.

Changes

For 2026, the list includes 60 occupations, whereas it counted 76 in 2025. As is the case every year, several occupations historically facing labor shortages have been maintained on the list and therefore remain eligible for Quebec’s simplified processing. These include:

• Les enseignants de niveau secondaire ou primaire
• Les infirmiers
• Quelques professions en ingénierie ou plus techniques, telles que les électromécaniciens

The new list is notable for the removal of 19 occupations across various sectors. Among the occupations that are no longer eligible for the simplified process are:

• Les professions en technologies de l’information (TI)
• Les vétérinaires
• Les cuisiniers expérimentés
• Les conducteurs de camions et d’équipements lourds

Focus on the removal of IT occupations

The removal of IT occupations can be explained by several factors. The list is traditionally intended to reflect the labor market needs in Quebec. Removing an occupation generally indicates a less acute shortage—which is currently the case for IT professions.

However, these jobs remain highly sought-after, and many foreign workers continue to work in IT. Fortunately for them, their occupations remain eligible under the Global Talent Stream (GTS), under certain conditions.

The GTS is an option worth considering for employers seeking highly skilled IT professionals. It notably offers record processing times (generally 15 business days), which are significantly shorter than the delays associated with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under Quebec’s simplified process. In return, employers must demonstrate the long-term benefits of these hires on the Canadian labor market.

When the GTS cannot be used, IT professionals are generally subject to the High-Wage Stream (wages above $34.62/hour in Quebec), which exempts them from the current restrictions affecting certain types of LMIAs.

In conclusion, while the removal of IT occupations from the list may raise questions, its impact on hiring or renewal opportunities for affected talent remains moderate.

Additions and modifications

Three occupations were added to the list:

• Spécialistes en chirurgie
• Monteurs/monteuses de lignes électriques et de câbles
• Mécaniciens/mécaniciennes et contrôleurs/contrôleuses d’aéronefs

The addition of these occupations reflects increased demand for these roles in Quebec.

At the same time, modifications were made to the following two occupations:

• Bouchers/bouchères diplômés ou expérimentés – commerce de gros et de détail
• Boulangers-pâtissiers diplômés ou expérimentés/boulangères-pâtissières diplômées ou expérimentées

Only these specific job titles are eligible for the simplified processing. Moreover, these titles have conditions tied to their NOC code that must be met for the occupation to be considered eligible, notably regarding work experience and/or education level.

How can this list facilitate the hiring of a foreign worker in Quebec ?

Meeting the province’s needs

To meet the personnel needs in the professions listed, some employers choose international recruitment.

Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), employers recruiting foreign talents generally go through a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), prove that they have made recruitment efforts to fill the position with a Canadian. The job posting also includes specific rules to follow.

The facilitated process does not exempt the employer from the obligation to apply for an LMIA. However, if the job offered matches to one of the professions on this list, it is not necessary to post the job. This facilitated procedure thus helps reduce processing times and various steps to be completed.

Attracting and retaining talents

Quebec’s facilitated processing, in addition to simplifying procedures for hiring a foreign worker under a work permit, forms an effective tool for attracting talents to the province.

Indeed, workers applying for a work permit following the obtaining of an LMIA/CAQ under Quebec’s facilitated process can be issued a work permit for a duration of up to 36 months.

A duration longer than that of work permits issued under International Experience Canada, for example.

Also, when it comes to retention, it is often easier for a worker under a 36-month work permit to start procedures for obtaining permanent residence without having to renew their status beforehand.

Workers with a 12-month work permit generally need the support of their (or a new) employer to renew their work permit before starting their permanent residence procedures.

More precisely, employers can save the costs of renewing a work permit and the related delays when their talents hold an initial work permit for three years.

Employer’s procedures

General obligations

Under this program, the employer must still provide proof that :

– They have made recruitment efforts to hire a Canadian worker or permanent resident ;

– The foreign worker meets the job requirements in terms of diplomas and experience, among others, as well as the requirements of the National Occupational Classification ;

– The hourly wage offered meets the median wage of the profession and by interval according to the quartiles in Quebec, all as established by Québec Emploi.

Obligations for certain low-wage professions

It should also be noted that in the context of an LMIA application, the provincial or territorial wage threshold must be considered. Since June 27, 2025, the wage threshold is set at $34.62/hour. Any profession paid above this wage is considered high-wage. Below, it is considered low-wage.

Employers hiring temporary foreign workers in a low-wage profession, including under Quebec’s facilitated process, must comply with certain obligations, in addition to the usual compliance obligations :

– Cover the round-trip airfare for the worker ;

– Ensure that the worker has decent housing, in line with their means ;

– Ensure that the worker has health coverage until they are eligible for provincial health insurance.

New list of professions eligible for facilitated processing, effective February 24, 2026 (French only)

This article covers recent news and is therefore subject to updates at any time. Its last update was on February 24, 2026.

Picture by Denny Müller on Unsplash