Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holders currently outside Quebec [R205(a) – A76] – International Mobility Program

The instructions on this page should be reviewed in conjunction with

• Open work permit – General processing and issuance
• Conditions and validity period on work permits

On May 24, 2022, ministerial instructions regarding the processing of applications under the Quebec International Mobility Program Plus (Quebec IMP+) were issued. IRCC, in agreement with Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), determined that the work of some temporary workers currently residing outside Quebec and holding a valid Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) creates significant social, cultural or economic benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents as required under subsection 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

This labour market impact assessment (LMIA) exemption category was announced as IMP+.

On this page

• Background
• Processing cap
  • Cancellation of applications exceeding the cap
• Eligibility requirements
• Documentary evidence
• Receipt of open work permit applications
• Work permit issuance in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
• Extensions
• Genuine spouses and common-law partners
• Work permit application refusals
• Previous updates

Background

Foreign nationals selected by Quebec who are currently overseas or reside in a province other than Quebec but intend to reside and work in Quebec may be eligible for an open work permit.

IRCC and Quebec are finalizing an agreement that would enable CSQ holders outside Quebec to apply for an open work permit under R204(c). Until the agreement is signed, work permit applications from CSQ holders outside Quebec will be assessed under R205(a).

Processing cap

As set out in the ministerial instructions for this work permit category, a maximum of 14,700 work permit applications are to be accepted for intake in 2022 (calendar year). For clarity, all applications submitted under this LMIA-exemption administrative code A76 will be counted against the cap, regardless of whether approved, refused or withdrawn.

• Operations Planning and Performance Branch (OPPB) is responsible for reporting to Immigration Program Guidance Branch (IPG) on a weekly basis on the number of work permit applications submitted, approved, refused or withdrawn under LMIA-exemption code A76. All complete applications received within the intake cap in 2022 will be processed.
• Online applications received outside the intake cap will be disposed (cancelled) and paper applications received outside the intake cap will be returned for not meeting the requirement of the stream. The work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee will be refunded.
• MIFI will be responsible for monitoring the number of letters of invitation that will be issued to CSQ holders outside Quebec.
• MIFI will share reports on the number of letters of invitation issued, and IRCC will share the number of work permit applications received, approved, issued, refused or withdrawn on a quarterly basis.

Cancellation of applications exceeding the cap

Once the cap of 14,700 is reached, IPG will inform the integrated networks that the cap has been reached and a public notice will be issued on the IRCC website.

For online applications, where the biometric fee is paid with the application, the biometric instruction letter (BIL) is issued automatically 24 hours from the date of receipt of the application. The Centralized Network will query for over-the-cap applications on a daily basis and take the following steps:

• cancel the BIL in bulk for applications received over the cap before they are automatically sent
• assign an ORG ID to the application based on the office responsible for processing the application

The following steps should be taken by the processing office for applications received over the cap:

• monitor the ORG ID for new associated applications
• add the exemption code A76
• administratively cancel open applications under this category
• issue a refund for the processing and open work permit holder fees
• send the “over cap” letter to the applicant to advise them that their work permit application will not be processed as the intake cap for the year has been reached

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for an LMIA-exempt work permit issued under subsection R205(a) and administrative code A76 as the holder of a CSQ, a foreign national must

• have submitted their open work permit application online through an IRCC Secure Account (MyCIC account)
  • For outside of Canada applicants – refer to ministerial instructions with respect to the submission of online applications for temporary resident visas and other documents due to reduced processing capacity during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic for overseas applicants
  • For in-Canada applicants – refer to programs exempt from the in-Canada mandatory electronic application (e-application) requirement for temporary residents
    • Applicants who can use the paper option must write “International Mobility Program Plus-A76 cap 2022” on the envelope.
• reside outside Canada or any province or territory other than Quebec at the time of submission
• have a CSQ at the time of submission of their work permit application under this exemption and be in 1 of the following situations:
  • the CSQ is valid if they have not yet submitted their permanent residence application or
  • if an application for permanent residence has been submitted, it must have been submitted before the expiry of the CSQ and still be in progress
    • CSQs are valid for a 24-month period or until IRCC renders a decision on the permanent residence application
    • since August 2, 2018, MIFI no longer renews CSQs, as they are issued for 24 months and are valid for the duration of the permanent residence application, even if the 24-month period has passed
• have a letter of invitation to submit a work permit application under LMIA exemption code A76 from the province of Quebec

Applicants who are in Canada in a province or territory other than Quebec at the time of submission must

• have a valid temporary resident status
• be eligible for restoration of status as a temporary resident
• be eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada [R199 or an active public policy]

The following foreign nationals are not eligible under this exemption category:

• foreign nationals who reside in Quebec at the time of submission of the work permit application
• foreign nationals who received a refusal on their permanent residence applications in one of the Quebec classes and still have a valid CSQ
• foreign nationals who make their application at the port of entry
• foreign nationals who have an open work permit as a refugee claimant or under an enforceable removal order
  • The work permit under R206 does not confer temporary resident status as per section 202 of the IRPR.

Documentary evidence

The following documents are required from all applicants:

• a CSQ as described under Eligibility requirements
• a letter of invitation from the Government of Quebec

Although the submission of the application for permanent residence is not mandatory, if the applicant has submitted an application for permanent residence to IRCC under 1 of Quebec’s economic immigration streams they must provide 1 of the following documents:

• proof of the application submission such as an email confirmation (with an X number)
• an acknowledgment of receipt letter (with an E number) or
• an approval in principle letter

The following documents are required from in-Canada applicants:

• proof of residency outside Quebec
  • This may include copies of lease agreements or the most recent notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

The applicant must submit this proof using the “Client Information” slot in the electronic application.

Receipt of open work permit applications

Applications submitted by applicants who used the Application For Work Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM 1295] (PDF, 573 KB) application form will be processed by the relevant migration office.

Applications submitted by applicants who used the Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada [IMM 5710] (PDF, 588 KB) application form, and who are residing in Canada but outside Quebec at the time of submission, will be processed by the Centralized Network.

Officers should note that applicants are given specific instructions on how to complete the IMM 1295 and IMM 5710 application forms. These instructions can be found at International Mobility Program Plus: Open work permits for Quebec Selection Certificate holders outside Quebec.

Work permit issuance in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)

The open work permit is issued under the authority of subsection R205(a) and coded as follows:

Extensions

If a permanent residence application is still in processing, a work permit extension may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The duration of an extension is 1 year. However, officers may use their discretion, depending on current processing times for Quebec skilled worker permanent residence applications.

The applicant must provide proof that they have submitted a permanent residence application and received an acknowledgment of receipt letter from IRCC. Another letter of invitation from Quebec is not required.

Genuine spouses and common-law partners

The spouse’s work permit must always be restricted to the same province (Quebec) as the principal applicant’s job location and should not be amended.

Refer to Spouses or common-law partners of Quebec selection certificate (CSQ) holders

Work permit application refusals

When the officer’s decision is to refuse the work permit application, they should clearly state what eligibility or admissibility requirements are not met and why they are not satisfied. Consult Decision making: Standard of review and process for making a reasonable decision.

Previous updates

The instructions were updated on the following dates:

• July 27, 2022
• May 24, 2022 (implementation date)