Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) has drastically reduced occupations eligible for the Simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)—from 267 to just 76. Effective February 24, 2025, the changes prioritize high-skilled roles in sectors like healthcare, IT, and construction, while excluding managerial (TEER 0) and low-skill jobs (TEER 4-5).
Fast-Track Hiring: Waives standard LMIA requirements (e.g., recruitment proof) for high-demand jobs.
Previous Scope: Covered 267 occupations; now limited to TEER 1-3 roles (skilled professionals).
The new list focuses on:
Healthcare: Nurses, physicians, lab techs.
IT: Software engineers, cybersecurity experts.
Construction: Electricians, plumbers.
Education: Teachers, administrators.
Excluded Roles:
Retail supervisors (TEER 0).
Clerical staff (TEER 4).
General laborers (TEER 5).
Protect Local Jobs: Encourages hiring Canadians for low-wage roles.
Target Skills Gaps: Addresses shortages in critical fields.
Combat Fraud: Cracks down on exploitation of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to prevent systemic abuse.
Transition Period: Employers with pending applications (filed before February 24, 2025) have until March 24, 2025, to process under old rules.
Stricter Rules: Must use the standard LMIA (28-day recruitment, detailed reports) for excluded roles.
Delays & Costs: Processing times increase; administrative burdens rise.
Fewer Pathways: Low-skill workers must seek alternatives (e.g., Quebec Skilled Worker Program).
Renewal Challenges: Expiring permits for cut occupations may not qualify for extensions.
High-demand roles still qualify for simplified processing:
TEER 1: Engineers, senior IT roles.
TEER 2: Nurses, electricians.
TEER 3: Welders, heavy equipment operators.
Standard LMIA: Standard LMIA process remains a valid option for ineligible occupations, despite longer processing times.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ): Permanent residency route for skilled workers.
Global Talent Stream (GTS): Fast-track for tech/engineering roles.
Quebec’s 2025 LMIA changes reflect a strategic shift toward high-skill immigration, leaving low-wage employers and workers with fewer options. Employers must adapt to stricter rules, while foreign talent may need to target permanent residency programs.
Key Takeaway:
“The simplified LMIA is now a niche tool for critical sectors—plan accordingly.”
Quebec's Simplified LMIA Process: Key 2025 Changes and Wider Immigration Context
Quebec has slashed eligible occupations from 267 to 76 in its Simplified LMIA process, effective February 2025. This aligns with broader Canadian immigration crackdowns on temporary visas, as the province prioritizes high-skilled workers in healthcare, tech, and construction.
The Quebec reforms mirror federal trends, including IRCC's removal of job offer points from Express Entry. Both changes reflect a shift toward:
Quality over quantity in worker selection
Reduced reliance on temporary foreign labor
Stronger alignment with long-term economic needs
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