On June 1, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) introduced two new Labour Market Opinion (“LMO”) exemptions. The first is for some Certificat de sélection du Québec (“CSQ”) holders. The second is for certain francophones intending to work outside of Quebec. As well, on June 11, 2012, CIC updated its re-configuring of the U.S.processing network. LMO Exemption for Some CSQ Holders Effective June 1, 2012, temporary foreign workers residing in Quebec who hold a skilled CSQ and who are waiting for a decision in regards to their applications for permanent residency will be able to renew their work permits without having to obtain LMOs. Such applicants must either be: seeking to extend their work permit for their current employer; or seeking to renew their current work authorization with a new employer in theprovinceofQuebec; or be a foreign student who has obtained a post-graduation work permit and has a job offer in theprovinceofQuebec; or be a work permit holder through the International ExperienceCanadaprogram. The work permits will be valid for the duration of the job offer and cannot exceed two years. Only employer-specific work permits may be issued.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program Residency Requirement
On December 23, 2010, CIC released Operational Bulletin 256, detailing consequences for failure to comply with Quebec Entrepreneur residency requirements.