IMMIGRATION TO QUEBEC
Quebec seeks to attract qualified workers in many fields and is responsible for selecting immigrants who wish to settle in the province of Quebec.
Quebec Immigration has the following categories:
| Permanent Workers | Temporary Workers | Foreign Students |
| Family Reunification | Business People | Pilot Projects |
Permanent Workers:
Quebec’s Skilled worker immigration program has four main objectives:
- To increase the proportion of francophone immigration
- To maximize the economic benefits of selection
- To manage the volume of immigration in terms of Quebec’s needs and capacity for integration
- To select skilled workers who are more adaptable to the international labor market.
Quebec bases its selection on a Grid of factors for which points are awarded for education, skills, language knowledge and age. An applicant also has to obtain a Certificate de Selection du Quebec before applying for Permanent Residence in Canada.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program:
If you are thinking about moving to Canada to live and work and have your sights set on moving to Quebec you may want to try to immigrate under the Quebec skilled worker visa program.
The Quebec selection system is for Skilled Workers who intend to reside in the Province of Quebec and are selected based upon a different set of criteria than applicants who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada.
The Quebec skilled worker visa is very similar to the Canadian Skilled Worker visa in that they are both based on a points based assessment of skills, education, age, work experience and more.
To qualify for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, you must meet minimum work experience requirements and show that you have the funds required to support yourself. In addition, you must earn sufficient points in the selection factors to get a pass mark. Currently, a single applicant must meet or exceed a pass mark of 50 points, whereas an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner requires at least 59 points.
Your application will be assessed on the following criteria: education, equivalent of Quebec Diploma, area of training, second specialty, work experience, proficiency in French and/or English, age, previous stays and visits to the province of Quebec, ties to Quebec, your spouse/partner profile and credentials, your children, validated offers of employment etc.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (Qswp)
Quebec now requires candidates to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered under Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
Under QSWP the first step is entering a profile through the Expression of Interest (EOI) portal “ARRIMA” by applicants who are interested in immigrating to Quebec.
The Arrima Portal is open throughout and applicants can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) at any time if interested in Quebec.
Expression of Interest (EOIs) are reviewed and assigned points based on six selection factors such as age, proficiency in French / English language, education, area of training, work experience, employment, and adaptability among other requirements.
Based on points obtained on the QSWP Points Grid Invitations will be issued to those who meet criteria mainly focusing on Labour market needs in different regions of Quebec. Applicants have to obtain a score of 50 ( 59 with spouse) under the points grid in order to be considered and selected.
Candidates issued an Invitation will have to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate from the Government of Quebec. Those invited to apply for Quebec Selection Certificate have 90 days to submit a complete application.
Once this Quebec Selection Certificate is obtained individuals can submit a complete Canadian Permanent Residence application to Canada’s Federal Government.
The eligibility criteria to be selected as an immigrant worker are:
- Possess at least a diploma that matches up to a Secondary School Diploma or a Diploma of Vocational Studies in accordance with the Québec education system,
- Attained training and occupational skills that will help in the job market
- A foreign diploma or Training leading to the practice of a regulated profession or Trade in Quebec
- Obtained work experience in their field
- Have a valid employment offer
- Obtained adequate knowledge of French B2/English CLB 5 and produce relevant Test results
- Sufficient financial resources for settlement purpose
- Genuine intention to live in Quebec
Quebec Selection Grid:
Skilled workers destined to Quebec are assessed against the Quebec selection grid, which differs from the Federal selection grid:
- Quebec’s point system gives more weight to labor market factors such as education, language ability and employability and occupation mobility (EMP)
- Points under the EMP factor take account of an applicant’s education, work experience, age, language ability and knowledge of Quebec
- Primary condition of concern is how well the immigrant will adapt to living within Quebec.
To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, Skilled Worker / Professional applicants must score enough points under the selection system. Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Immigration selection system are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate.
Quebec immigration system is based on a “Certificate system”. Applicants are required to submit an initial application and if successful, the government of Quebec will issue a Certificate of Selection.
The holder of a Quebec Certificate of Selection has to then meet Federal immigration requirements and procedures, such as a medical and security checks in order to receive a Permanent resident visa.
The Government of Canada is responsible for the admission of workers wishing to settle on its territory. It admits those workers that Quebec has selected. The selected applicant must apply for permanent residence and successfully pass a medical examination and the required security checks. Permanent residence is granted upon arrival in Quebec.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QWSP) Processing Fees
| Principal Applicant | Cad $844 |
| Spouse | Cad $181 |
| Each Dependent Child | Cad $181 |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Every year a number of international students study at colleges and universities in Quebec. Quebec ranks third in terms Foreign Student Flows by Destination after Ontario and British Columbia.
Québec universities offer a quality of instruction corresponding to that of other universities but at a much lower cost. A degree from a Québec university is renowned and offers international students access to employment opportunities around the world.
Since Canada has two levels of government, Federal and Provincial, all international students who wish to pursue their studies in Québec for a period of more than six months, must obtain a Québec Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ), and a Canadian Study Permit before proceeding to Canada.
The Québec Certificate of Acceptance must be obtained before the Canadian Immigration Services can issue a Study Permit. In order to obtain a Study Permit, the visa application process should be started immediately upon receipt of the Letter of admission from the respective University or College.
Educational Credentials:
Applicants educational credentials must be equivalent to those required of Québec students in order to be admitted to a Québec educational institution.
Undergraduate level: Should have the equivalent of a Diploma of pre-university college studies (DCS), which recognizes two years of schooling following secondary school, i.e. 13 years in all.
College level: Should have earned the equivalent of a Diploma of Secondary Studies (DSS), which recognizes 11 years of schooling.
Language Ability: One must have sufficient language skills to be able to complete the program successfully.
Immigration To Quebec
International Students who are living in Quebec may be eligible for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) who must fulfill the following requirements:
- Must have obtained a degree or diploma from an educational institution recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education within the last 36 months
- Must have studied in Quebec for at least two years
- Have 12 months of work experience in NOC 2021 TEER Level 0,1,2 or 3
- Must prove that they have successfully completed an intermediate level French course at a Quebec educational institution, if their studies were not completed in French.
- Show an intention to settle in Quebec to hold a job
- Eligible candidates given a Certificate of Selection of Québec (CSQ), which is Quebec’s nomination certificate.
- After obtaining Certificate of Selection of Québec (CSQ), one can apply for Permanent Residence
NOTE: Language requirements
- Principal applicants must show a knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to a level 7, and a knowledge of written French that corresponds to at least a level 5, on the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency
- Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ need to demonstrate knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to a level 4 on the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency
As of November 23rd 2024, in order to qualify for the program Principal applicants must:
- Show a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study completed entirely in French (including the master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable); or
- A final transcript attesting to the successful completion of an eligible study program in Québec completed entirely in French (including the master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable), in which 75% of the courses or credits were completed in French;
The Government of Quebec will not issue a CSQ until the applicant submits a complete transcript and an attestation of successful completion of diploma.
TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS:
Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) if they:
- Show an intention to settle in Quebec to hold a job
- Have stayed temporarily in Quebec for the purposes of work
- Have had full-time work experience in Quebec for at least 24 months of the 36 months preceding the submission of an application in a 0, A or B level job;
- Have legal status in Quebec as a temporary worker
- Are employed at the time of the application.
- Have a knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to a level 7 according to the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency levels
Family Reunification
A Quebec resident can sponsor a close relative by meeting the necessary conditions such as:
- Sponsor is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident
- Sponsored person must belong to the family class such as spouse, dependent child, father, mother, grand parents, and other members of famiy etc.
- Sponsor to demonstrate that they have the Financial resources to sponsor a person
- Sign an Undertaking with the Quebec Government to support a sponsored person
- Satisfy other relevant requirements
Business Immigration
The Quebec Business Immigration program seeks applicants with business, management, or self-employed experience and offers the following programs:
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program
The Quebec Self Employed Program
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
QUEBEC Investor Immigrant Program
Quebec Investor Immigrant Program allows applicants to obtain Permanent Residence through a Passive Investment – i.e.: candidates are required to make an Investment in Quebec for a five year term and NO active managerial role is required after the Investment is made.
Investor Immigrant applicants have to meet the following Eligibility criteria:
- Possesses a personal net worth of $2.0 Million CAD accumulated through lawful economic activities.
- Undertake to invest $1.20 Million CAD for five years, in a prescribed investment which is guaranteed by The Government of Quebec
- Reimbursement of $1200,000 CAD after 5 years without interest
- Investor has two years of management experience in a lawful and profitable agricultural, industrial or commercial enterprise, a government or international body
- Language proficiency in French or English
- Factors such as Age, education, professional training, language skills will be assessed
- Obtain a passing score on the Quebec’s Points Grid system
- Sign an Investment Agreement
- One must state an intention to settle in Quebec;
- Application Processing Fee $ 15000
Once approved the Quebec destined applicant will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) that allows an individual to acquire Canadian Permanent Residence once Federal security and medical background checks have been completed.
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program
There are 2 components under this Quebec Entrepreneur program:
Under Component One Quebec Immigration will consider Entrepreneur applicants among other criteria:
- Have a passing score under Québec’s Selection grid
- Settle in Quebec to start an Enterprise
- Create a Start Up supported by Business incubator / accelerator or University center
Component Two
Under Component Two an Immigrant Entrepreneur creates or acquires an Enterprise that is dedicated to Owner funding and operated businesses.
Quebec Immigrant Entrepreneur Requirements:
- Possess a personal net worth of $900,000 acquired legally
- Entrepreneur has two years of management experience in a business they either owned or controlled
- Be willing and be able to establish or acquire a business in Quebec that will be managed by the applicant
- Start up deposit within Montreal of $ 300000 and regions outside Montreal $ 200000
- Hold 25% of Equity or 51% of the Enterprise he creates
- Participate in daily management and operations of the business
- Have advanced Intermediate French language ability
- Have sufficient settlement funding to cover cost of the applicant’s first 3 months of living expenses in Quebec.
- Factors such as Age, education, professional training, language skills and knowledge of Quebec will be assessed
- Meet the passing score under Quebec Economic Class selection grid for this program
- Performance Guarantee deposit of $200000 that is refundable if certain conditions are met
Once approved, the application proceeds to Federal security and medical verifications followed by visa issuance with mandatory terms and conditions imposed.
The Quebec Self Employed Program
Quebec Self Employed Requirements:
- Demonstrate an advanced intermediate level of language proficiency in French
- Possess a personal net worth of $100,000 that is legally obtained
- Start up deposit within Montreal of $ 50000 and regions outside Montreal $ 25000
- Create & establish your own job by practicing a Profession or Trade
- Have two years of applicable experience in the Profession/ Trade he/she intends to practice in Quebec
- Factors such as Age, education, professional training, language skills and knowledge of Quebec will be assessed
- Meet the passing score under Quebec Economic Class selection grid for this program
- Have sufficient settlement funding
- Come to Quebec to create employment for applicant by practicing a profession
- Intention to reside in Quebec
- Application Processing Fee $1045
All applicants must show that they are capable of becoming economically established in Canada and have the intention of settling in Quebec following their acceptance.
Pilot Projects
Quebec’s pilot programs were developed to help the province find the talent it needs in several sectors that are currently experiencing labour shortages.
There are 3 Pilot programs such as:
- Pilot Project for Workers in Food Processing
- Pilot Project for Orderlies
- Pilot Project for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies & Visual Effects Sectors
Pilot Project for Workers in Food Processing
This pilot program offers a pathway to permanent immigration for temporary foreign workers who hold jobs that are admissible in the food processing sector.
Eligibility requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Intend to settle in Quebec to work
- Have met the conditions of your stay in Quebec
- Be able to demonstrate financial funds for at least the first three months following their arrival in Quebec.
- Hold a diploma corresponding to at least a high school diploma or a Quebec vocational diploma in a full-time program of study of at least one year.
- Demonstrate French language ability of Level 7
Work Experience Requirements
- Hold a full-time job in an eligible sector in Quebec; or
- Have worked in an eligible, full-time, paid job for a period of at least 24 months in Quebec in an eligible sector during the 36 months preceding the date of application;
- The work experience or job must be in one of two eligible Food Manufacturing or Beverage Manufacturing
Pilot Project for Orderlies
This pilot program offers a pathway to Canadian permanent resident status to those already residing in Quebec and working as orderlies, Nurses aides or as Patient service associates. This program is divided into the following two streams: Work & Work-Study streams.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Intend to settle in Quebec to work for a company
- Have met the conditions of your stay in Quebec
- Be able to demonstrate financial funds for at least the first three months following their arrival in Quebec.
- Demonstrate French language ability of Advanced Intermediate Level 7
Work Stream – Specific Conditions
Education Requirements
- Hold a diploma related to the occupation of Orderly obtained after completing a full-time program of study of at least one year;
- The diploma must correspond to a diploma of vocational studies (DEP) in Quebec.
Work Experience Requirements
- At least 24 months of eligible work experience as an orderly in Quebec in the 36 months preceding the date of application; or
- At least 12 months in a health occupation related to basic personal care outside Quebec and at least 12 months as orderly in Quebec during the 36 months preceding the date of application;
- Work experience must have been legally acquired, paid and full-time.
Work-Study Stream- Specific Conditions
Education Requirement
- Have obtained a Quebec Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVE) leading to the practice of an eligible orderly occupation during the 24 months preceding the date of submission of the application
- To be eligible for the work-study program, applicants must have successfully completed the Institutional and Home Care Assistance Program and have a secondary diploma of vocational studies.
Work Experience Requirement
- Have at least 12 months of work experience as an orderly in Quebec, accumulated in the 24 months preceding the date of application and after the date of completion of the program of study
- Work experience must have been legally acquired, paid and full-time;
- After completing their program of study, applicants must be hired by a Quebec employer and obtain a work permit.
Pilot Project for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies & Visual Effects Sectors
This program aims to attract and retain Quebec graduates in Artificial Intelligence as well as international talent working in the technology industry in Quebec or who have a job offer from a Quebec employer.
The program is divided into two streams: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Information technology and Visual Effects (IT/VE).
General Requirements for Both Streams
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Intend to settle in Quebec to work for a company
- Have met the conditions of your stay in Quebec, if applicable
- Be able to demonstrate financial funds for at least the first three months following their arrival in Quebec.
- Demonstrate French language ability of Advanced Intermediate Level 7
Artificial Intelligence Stream – Specific Conditions
Foreign Workers
Education and Work Experience Requirements
- Have a diploma equivalent to a Quebec bachelor’s degree and have acquired at least one year of full-time work experience in the five years preceding your application; in a NOC level 0, A, or B job or
- Have obtained a diploma equivalent to a Quebec master’s or PhD in the last year before submitting the application and hold or have accepted a job in Québec in the AI sector. The gross annual salary for the job must be at least $75,000 if the employer is located outside of the Metropolitan Montréal Community or at least $100,000 if located in the Metropolitan Montréal Community.
Quebec Graduates
Education and Work Experience Requirements
- Have a higher specialised studies (DESS) diploma, a master’s or a PhD from a Quebec educational institution issued in the last 24 months
- Hold or have accepted a full-time job in Québec in the AI sector
- Applicants who hold a diploma of higher specialized studies (DESS) must have held a full time job in a level 0, A or B according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for a least 6 months after completing their studies
- Have lived in Quebec as a student for a least half of the study program.
Information Technology and Visual Effects Stream – Specific Conditions
Education Requirement
- Have a diploma equivalent to a Québec diploma of college studies – technical training, or a Québec bachelor’s degree.
Work Experience Requirement
- Have held an eligible full-time job for at least 2 years; and
- have or accept a full-time eligible job with an hourly wage equivalent to the maximum wage of the average wage of your occupation as specified on the Québec website.
An Applicant must submit their application under one of the Pilot Programs on Quebec’s online immigration platform “ARRIMA” in order to Immigrate to Canada.
QUEBEC IMMIGRATION PROCESS:
- Apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec [CSQ]).
- The Province of Quebec will assess you, using its own rules.
- The certificate shows that the Province of Quebec has accepted you as an immigrant.
- If the Province of Quebec chooses you and gives you a CSQ, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for Permanent Residence.
