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 permits
• Conditions of the work permit including validity period

On May 24, 2022, in agreement with Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), IRCC 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 LMIA-exemption category was announced as International Mobility Program plus (IMP+).

On this page

• Background
• Processing cap
• Eligibility requirements
• Documentary evidence
• Processing open work permit
• Work permit issuance in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
• Extensions
• Genuine spouses and common-law partners

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this LMIA-exemption administrative code A76 will be counted against the cap, regardless of whether approved, refused or withdrawn.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responsible for reporting on a weekly basis on the number of work permit applications submitted, approved, refused or withdrawn under LMIA-exemption code A76.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.

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).
  • 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 and to programs exempt from the in-Canada mandatory electronic application (e-application) requirement for temporary residents;
• reside outside Canada or in a province (or territory) other than Quebec at the time of submission;
• have an eligible CSQ at the time of submission of their work permit application under this exemption and be in one of the following situations:
  • have a valid CSQ if they have not yet submitted their permanent residence application; or
  • have submitted their permanent residence application, for which processing is still ongoing, before the expiry date of the CSQ; the work permit may be issued under this LMIA exemption, even if the CSQ is expired;
    • CSQs issued after August 2, 2018 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 from the province of Quebec stating that the applicant must meet the following conditions before applying for a work permit under the PMI+:
  • hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec obtained under the Regular Skilled Worker Program or the Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sectors;
  • live outside Quebec;
  • meet one of the following two criteria:
    • was selected on the basis of their work experience in an occupation whose code is listed in the National Occupational Classification, and in the list of occupations selected by Quebec for “Opération main-d’oeuvre (Operation workforce)” purposes; or
    • has received a permanent job offer that was validated by MIFI.
• 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;
  • at the time of submission, have existing authorization to work or be eligible to have authorization to work restored or approved because they either
    • have a valid work permit (including an open work permit) or held a work permit immediately before losing their status;
    • have applied to extend their work permit before it expired (maintained status and authorization to work without a permit under paragraph R186(u)).

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 under R206 (applicants with no other means of support). 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:

• An eligible CSQ as described under Eligibility requirements;
• A letter of invitation from the Government of Quebec;
• If the applicant has submitted a permanent residence application under one of Quebec’s streams:
  • a 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 principal 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.

Processing 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 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

Applicants are instructed to input the following in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section:

Box 1: What type of work permit are you applying for?

Select “Open Work Permit”.

Box 4: “Job title” and “Brief description of duties”

Enter “CSQ holder outside Quebec – OWP” in the “Job title” box.

Enter A76 in the “Brief description of duties” box.

Officers should be aware that

• the “Job title” box on the IMM 1295 and IMM 5710 forms maps to the “Intended occupation” field in GCMS;
• the “Brief description of duties” box maps to a case note in GCMS.

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 is 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.

If the spouse is eligible to be issued an open work permit under C41, the validity of the work permit should be issued for a period that ends no later than the period of authorized stay of the principal foreign national or the applicant’s passport expiry, whichever comes first.

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