IRCC updates Quebec CSQ work-permit guidance as B.C. and Newfoundland publish new invitations

Three official updates in the September 25 briefing

IRCC updated its instructions for employer-specific work permits issued under LMIA-exemption code A73 to certain Quebec Selection Certificate holders already living in Quebec. The same daily review found two newly published provincial results: a September 24 B.C. Skills Immigration round and a September 25 Newfoundland and Labrador invitation batch.

The provincial thresholds below are program-specific selection factors, not federal Express Entry CRS scores. An invitation or eligibility under a work-permit category is not a nomination, permanent residence approval or guarantee of approval.

IRCC adds PSTQ and reopened PEQ references to A73 instructions

IRCC's September 25 program-delivery update adds the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) and notes that the Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) is open from July 2, 2026, to July 2, 2028. The A73 category can let an eligible principal applicant holding a CSQ renew employer-specific work authorization with the current employer or obtain a new employer-specific permit without an LMIA.

The update does not create a general open work permit. The applicant must be residing in Quebec, be in Canada with temporary-resident status or be eligible to restore it, and have current or restorable work authorization. A Quebec employer must submit an employment offer and provide the associated offer number. Port-of-entry applications, spouses who are not the principal applicant, entrepreneurs and self-employed applicants are not eligible under A73.

Which CSQ holders may qualify

The principal applicant must hold a CSQ issued under an eligible Quebec skilled-worker economic program. If permanent residence has not yet been filed, the CSQ must be valid. If permanent residence was filed before the CSQ expired, the application must still be in process. IRCC's updated list covers PSTQ, PEQ, the closed regular skilled-worker program and certain closed permanent pilot programs whose earlier applications may still be processed.

An approved permit may match the employment offer for up to 24 months, subject to travel-document validity. If the permanent residence case remains in process, a further extension is assessed case by case and is generally issued for 12 months. The regular work-permit, employer-compliance and biometric fees remain applicable when required.

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. A separate points-based selection issued 288 invitations with a minimum provincial registration score of 131.

The wage and annual-salary conditions belong to one selection method and must both be met. The 131 threshold applies only to the separate points-based selection.

Newfoundland and Labrador issues 41 NLPNP invitations

The province's official September 25 table records 41 invitations, all through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program. It does not list Atlantic Immigration Program invitations or a minimum score for this batch, so no score or more detailed stream breakdown can be reported.

What applicants should do

• Quebec CSQ holders should verify 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 number before relying on A73.
• 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; the province did not publish a numerical cutoff for this batch.