Immigration: four changes to know about this month

Immigration

While attention was on the election, several rules quietly changed in September. Here are four changes worth knowing about if you are a temporary worker, a protected person, a permanent resident or a candidate for Quebec selection.

1. Temporary workers: study for up to six months without a study permit

Since September 2026, a new IRCC public policy allows holders of a valid work permit to take a programme of study lasting up to six months without applying for a study permit.

This was not entirely new: workers could already take a short course, but it had to finish within the period of stay authorised when they entered Canada. That condition is gone. The exemption applies until the work permit or the policy expires, whichever comes first, and the measure is due to end on 31 December 2027.

What does not change: any full-time programme longer than six months still requires a study permit. IRCC gives skilled trades, nursing and laboratory technology as examples of the training it has in mind.

2. Protected persons in Quebec: the CSQ is taking longer

People recognised as refugees or protected persons who live in Quebec must obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) before moving on to permanent residence at the federal level.

According to its 28 September 2026 update, Quebec’s immigration ministry now estimates processing at 25 to 60 days, citing an exceptional volume of applications. At that date it was processing applications received on 10 September.

If this is your situation, build that margin into your plans — especially any study or work project that depends on the next stage of your file.

3. End of a sponsorship measure for undeclared family members

The public policy that let certain permanent residents sponsor a family member who had not been declared or examined during their own application ended on 10 September 2026. It mainly concerned people who became permanent residents as refugees or protected persons.

Eligible applications received by 10 September continue to be processed under that policy. For new applications, the exemption no longer exists.

4. PSTQ: 519 invitations on 24 September

In its 24 September round, Quebec invited 519 people across the four streams of the Skilled Worker Selection Program. Stream 2, Intermediate and manual skills, accounted for 316 invitations — more than 60% of the total. The ministry says it is currently examining permanent selection applications received in January 2026.

Invitation numbers remain low, partly because the PEQ stays open until 31 October 2026. If you are eligible for it, that is the deadline that matters first.

What next?

These changes were adopted before the election. The new government has not yet announced any direction; for what it promised, read our analysis of what the PQ win changes for immigration.

On the same subject: Getting a CSQ: the PSTQ and Arrima explained · PEQ: the window closes on 31 October

This article is general information and is not legal advice.