You have your CSQ: what happens next with IRCC

Receiving your Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) is a real milestone, and many people treat it as the end of the road. It is the middle. Quebec has selected you; now the federal government has to decide whether to grant you permanent residence. That second stage has its own forms, its own documents and its own checks.

What the CSQ does, and what it does not

The CSQ confirms that Quebec selected you in a specific category. It is not a permanent resident card, it is not a federal decision, and it does not let you work or extend your stay in Canada.

With the CSQ in hand, you file a separate application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC reviews admissibility, including medical, security and criminality checks, and makes the final decision.

Step 1: find the federal application that matches your category

IRCC has a dedicated process for people selected by Quebec. Start from the IRCC page for your category and download the document checklist it gives you. That checklist, not a friend's list or a forum post, tells you which forms, signatures and documents you need.

For Quebec-selected skilled workers, the package usually includes the Generic Application Form for Canada, Schedule A (Background/Declaration), the Additional Family Information form and the Supplementary Information form on your travels. Your family situation and your checklist may add others.

Step 2: make the federal file agree with the Quebec file

IRCC sees what you declare, and inconsistencies raise questions. Before filling in anything, put your Quebec application next to the federal forms and check:

• names, dates of birth and passport numbers;
• work and study history, with the same dates;
• addresses and travel history;
• every family member, whether or not they are coming with you.

If something changed since your Quebec application, such as a new job, a marriage or a birth, declare it and explain it. A difference you explain is a detail; a difference you leave unexplained can become a concern.

Step 3: gather the documents before you submit

Sort the documents by person and by type: identity and travel documents, police certificates for the countries and periods your checklist requires, family documents, and your CSQ. Check that every scan is readable and complete.

Some steps come later, on instruction only. IRCC will usually ask for biometrics and the immigration medical exam by letter. Wait for the instruction, then follow it exactly, including which family members are concerned and the deadline.

Fees change, so check them on IRCC's fee page when you submit.

Step 4: after you submit

Keep the submission confirmation, the payment receipt, your application number and your unique client identifier (UCI). Watch your IRCC account for the acknowledgement of receipt and for any request. When IRCC asks for more information, answer in the format and within the deadline it sets, and keep a copy.

Do not let your temporary status lapse

This is the mistake with the heaviest consequences. A pending permanent residence application does not extend a work or study permit, and it does not authorize you to work. If you live in Quebec on a temporary permit, renew it on its own schedule.

Some applicants may qualify for a bridging open work permit while they wait, but it has its own conditions. Filing for permanent residence does not, on its own, make you eligible.

What if your CSQ is about to expire?

There is no single answer that fits every file: it depends on your category, where your federal application stands and the instructions that apply. If the date is close or has passed, read the guidance from Quebec and IRCC and get advice before acting. Do not assume either that it cancels your federal application or that it has no effect.

Once IRCC approves

Approval is followed by a confirmation of permanent residence step. Follow IRCC's instructions, and check the name, date of birth and family details on every document you receive. Report errors right away using the process IRCC indicates.

Our Quebec immigration page explains how the provincial and federal stages fit together, and our page on the Skilled Worker Selection Program covers the Quebec side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the federal stage take after the CSQ?

IRCC publishes an estimated processing time for Quebec-selected applicants in its online tool. It changes over time and is not a personal deadline; your account messages are the reliable way to follow your own file.

Can I travel while my application is in process?

A pending application does not stop you from travelling, but it does not give you a way back in either. You need a valid travel document and the right authorization to return to Canada.

I made a mistake in my forms after submitting. What now?

Send a clear explanation and the corrected information through IRCC's official channel for applications in process, and keep proof that you sent it.

Official sources

Official pages consulted on October 11, 2026:

• IRCC — Quebec-selected skilled workers
• Québec — Immigrate permanently (French)