Labour shortages continue to slow the growth of many Québec businesses. For a growing number of employers, international recruitment is no longer a Plan B: it’s a strategy. But between the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and the work permit, the path can seem complex. Here are the key steps, in order, to hire a foreign worker in Québec in full compliance.
1. Define the need and identify the candidate
Everything starts with a clear, compliant job offer: job title, duties, work location and, above all, a wage that meets the program’s requirements — as a rule, at least the median wage for the occupation in the region, as published by the authorities. This is also the stage where the employer identifies their candidate, in Québec or abroad. Foreign recruitment is never done “in the abstract”: the process is always tied to a specific position and, most often, to an identified candidate.
The candidate must also meet the requirements of the position: education, experience, language and, where applicable, a permit or certification. A mismatch between the profile and the position is one of the leading causes of refusal.
2. Obtain the LMIA and the CAQ
In most cases, the employer must first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada), under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The LMIA demonstrates that hiring the foreign worker meets a genuine need and has no negative effect on the Canadian labour market.
In Québec, a second approval is added: the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). Good news: for several in-demand occupations, Québec offers simplified processing that lightens certain requirements, including the obligation to advertise the position. The list of eligible occupations is published by the Government of Québec and updated periodically.
Not sure where to start? A regulated immigration expert can validate your eligibility for the program and your filing strategy before you incur any costs. Fill out our matching form and an independent expert from our network will get back to you.
3. The work permit application
Once the positive LMIA and the CAQ are in hand, the candidate submits their work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Under the TFWP, this is generally a closed permit, tied to the approved employer, position, and work location. The employer has a role to play: provide the job offer and supporting documents, and pay the fees and meet the obligations set out in the Employer Portal, where applicable.
Processing times vary depending on the candidate’s country of residence and the offices’ workload. An incomplete or inconsistent file is the main cause of delay.
4. Prepare for arrival and meet your employer obligations
Hiring doesn’t end when the permit is issued. An employer hiring under the TFWP undertakes to:
- honour the conditions promised in the job offer (wage, hours, duties, location);
- keep the documents related to recruitment and employment for the required period;
- submit, if needed, to compliance inspections by the authorities;
- support the worker’s integration: onboarding, training, and settlement support.
A breach of these obligations can lead to penalties and jeopardize your future recruitments. Compliance is not a formality: it’s what protects your business and your worker.
5. Plan for processing times from the start
Between preparing the file, the LMIA, the CAQ and the work permit, an international hire is planned over several months. The most successful employers are those who start the process early, before the need becomes urgent, and who get support to avoid the errors that cause refusals or returned files — wage errors, incomplete documents, or the wrong program stream.
In summary
Hiring a foreign worker in Québec follows a well-marked path: a compliant offer, an LMIA and a CAQ, a work permit, then successful integration in line with your obligations. Each step has its own rules, and an error early in the process can cost months.
Do you have an international recruitment project? Don’t navigate it alone. Ask to be matched with a regulated immigration expert: describe your need in our form and an independent expert from our network will support you, from analyzing your situation to filing the applications.
Sources: Employment and Social Development Canada — Temporary Foreign Worker Program and LMIA (canada.ca); Government of Québec — Hiring a temporary foreign worker and CAQ (quebec.ca). Last updated: October 30, 2026.
Notice: This article presents general information on immigration and recruitment programs in Canada and Québec. It does not constitute legal advice or immigration advice. ImmiTalents Inc. is a recruitment and matching platform; it is not a law firm and does not provide immigration services. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a regulated immigration consultant or a lawyer. Article prepared with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the ImmiTalents team.
