CSQ work permits, Quebec PSTQ and provincial draws

Five official updates

This briefing covers five updates: IRCC's update to its A73 work permit instructions for certain holders of a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) who are already in Quebec; Quebec's September 24 invitations under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ); two B.C. Skills Immigration selections on September 24; a September 25 Newfoundland and Labrador batch; and Nova Scotia funding for healthcare recruitment.

The provincial thresholds below are program-specific scores, not federal Express Entry CRS scores. An invitation is not a Quebec Selection Certificate, a nomination, an approval of permanent residence or a guarantee of approval. Nova Scotia's funding announcement is not a new immigration stream, nomination round, job offer or licensing decision.

IRCC updates A73 instructions for CSQ holders in Quebec

On September 25, 2026, IRCC updated its instructions for work permits under LMIA exemption code A73 (International Mobility Program, R205(a)) for certain Quebec Selection Certificate holders who are already in Quebec. The update adds references to the PSTQ and to the reopened Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ), gives officers more detail, and improves clarity and readability.

The instructions concern renewals and extensions of employer-specific work permits without a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) for eligible CSQ holders. They do not create a general open work permit. Whether a person qualifies depends on the CSQ they hold, the status of any permanent residence application, their current status in Canada and the employer's offer, so the IRCC instructions should be read in full before relying on A73.

Quebec PSTQ invitations of September 24

Quebec's official 2026 invitations page records 519 invitations to apply for permanent selection on September 24 across the four PSTQ streams:

PSTQ stream	Invitations	Minimum PSTQ scores
Stream 1: highly qualified and specialized skills	86	634 to 706 (three exercises)
Stream 2: intermediate and manual skills	316	611 to 706
Stream 3: regulated professions	110	380 to 697
Stream 4: exceptional talent	7	Criteria-based, no numerical score published

Streams 1 to 3 were divided into occupation-targeted exercises, each with its own minimum score. Some exercises report fewer than five invitations or a range, so the stream totals published by Quebec control. These are Quebec selection scores, not federal CRS points.

B.C. issues 714 Skills Immigration invitations

WelcomeBC reports two Innovate: High Economic Impact selections dated September 24. The wage-based selection issued 426 invitations to candidates with a job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 paying at least $52 per hour and $105,000 per year; it had no minimum score. A separate points-based selection issued 288 invitations at a minimum registration score of 131.

The wage and annual-salary conditions belong to the wage-based selection and must both be met. The score of 131 applies only to the points-based selection.

Newfoundland and Labrador issues 41 invitations

The province's table records 41 invitations on September 25, all through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program. It lists no Atlantic Immigration Program invitations and no minimum score for this batch.

Nova Scotia funds community support for healthcare recruitment

Nova Scotia announced about $388,000 for 23 organizations through the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund. The projects support community welcome, settlement, cultural events, networking and professional integration for healthcare professionals and their families. Examples include a licensing and career-navigation forum, the Black Nurses Association of Nova Scotia's “Building Belonging” initiative, and a community match program for incoming doctors and their families.

The funding does not change immigration eligibility, professional licensing requirements or provincial nomination rules.

What applicants should do

Quebec CSQ holders should check the program shown on the CSQ, the timing and status of any permanent residence application, their current status in Canada and the employer's offer before relying on A73.
PSTQ candidates should compare their occupation, TEER level, French results, education, work experience and location in Quebec with the exact exercise that issued invitations. The published score alone is not enough.
B.C. candidates should distinguish the wage-based and points-based selections, and keep job offer, wage and registration information accurate.
Newfoundland and Labrador candidates should rely on the invitation notice in their account, because the province did not publish a numerical cut-off for this batch.

General information only. This article is not legal advice. Immigration rules and program instructions can change, and the result depends on the facts of each case.

September 25 update: CSQ work permits, Quebec PSTQ and provincial invitations.