Canada: Reduced List of Occupations Eligible for Quebec’s Simplified LMIA Published

The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration has released the 2026 list of occupations eligible under Québec’s Simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. The updated list is effective February 24, 2026 and will remain valid until February 23, 2027. A 30-day transition period will apply from February 24 to March 26, 2026 during which LMIA applications submitted to Employment and Social Development may be assessed under the 2025 list if the occupation is no longer included on the 2026 list.   

The revised 2026 list reduces the number of eligible occupations from 76 to 60. Notably, eligibility has been scaled back in information technology, engineering, transportation and various technical roles. The 2026 update instead places greater emphasis on critical infrastructure, select medical specializations, and essential skilled trades.  

The simplified LMIA process allows Quebec employers to hire foreign workers for select roles without having to provide proof of recruitment efforts, a requirement under the standard LMIA process. This list is usually updated annually to reflect labor shortages across key industry sectors in the province. As a result of these changes, certain Quebec employers seeking to renew or hire foreign workers may no longer qualify for the fast-track process. Instead, they may now face stricter requirements and longer processing times and need to consider alternative immigration pathways. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.