Quebec Skilled Worker Program

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The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a pathway for skilled and highly educated foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada, specifically to the province of Quebec. This program is administered by the Government of Quebec in collaboration with the Federal Government of Canada. If you’re considering immigration through the QSWP, it’s important to understand the key points of this program.

1. Eligibility Assessment: Immigration candidates applying for the QSWP are evaluated based on a comprehensive grid of selection factors. These factors include education, work experience, language proficiency, and more. Applicants who score sufficiently high points are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

2. Applying for Canada PR Visa: With the CSQ in hand, successful candidates can then proceed to apply for a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Visa. This is a significant step toward establishing permanent residency in Canada.

3. Independent Quebec Immigration Department: It’s essential to note that the Immigration Department of Quebec operates independently of the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Quebec has its own immigration programs and policies and does not participate in the Express Entry Program or draws used by other Canadian provinces.

4. Direct Application Process: If you’re interested in settling in Quebec permanently, you must initiate the process by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) directly to the Quebec Ministry of Immigration (Ministre de l’Immigration). If your qualifications and skills align with Quebec’s requirements, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection.

5. French Language Skills Emphasized: It’s important to highlight that Quebec places significant importance on proficiency in the French language. Higher points are typically awarded for French language skills compared to English. Therefore, if you’re considering immigration to Quebec, strengthening your French language abilities can enhance your chances of success in the QSWP.

What various Quebec immigration programmes are there?

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ARRIMA System: Quebec has introduced the ARRIMA system, akin to the Federal-style EOI (Expression of Interest) model. This replaces the previous first-arrived, first-processed system, making the application process more efficient and accessible for skilled worker category applicants.
Selection Grid for Skilled Workers: A new selection grid has been introduced for Skilled Workers, which awards points for job offers in various regions across Quebec. This encourages skilled workers to consider employment opportunities in different parts of the province.
Extended Quebec Experience Program (QEP): The Quebec Experience Program has been extended to allow workers and their de facto spouses or spouses to gain employment in Quebec at various skill levels, promoting broader participation in the workforce.
Entrepreneur Pathway: Quebec has launched an Entrepreneur Pathway for aspiring entrepreneurs who receive support from a University entrepreneurship center, incubator, or business accelerator. This initiative fosters innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the province.
Quebec Investor Program: The Quebec Investor Program has seen an increase in net worth and investment requirements, attracting high-net-worth individuals who can contribute significantly to the province's economy.
Security and Startup Deposits: The introduction of Security and Startup Deposits applies to the Self-employed Worker and Entrepreneur Programs, offering a level of financial security for both the province and the applicants.

It’s important to note that Quebec primarily selects immigrants through the Economic Class, which comprises these five programs. These changes aim to make the Quebec immigration system more competitive and appealing to individuals with valuable skills and resources, contributing to the province’s growth and development.

Quebec Skilled Workers Program:

The foreign national relocates to Quebec in order to hold the job that they may be qualified to occupy. This is primarily decided based on the candidates’ backgrounds, qualifications, and other selection criteria.

Quebec Experience Program:

The foreign national who has completed at least half of a programme in Quebec and has worked there for a year within the previous two years, or who has earned a diploma from a Quebec educational institution within the previous three years, and who can demonstrate proficiency in the French language at the intermediate-advanced level through standardised tests.

The Quebec Entrepreneur Programme application process.

The foreign national who submits an application for the Quebec Entrepreneur Programme must run a company that was founded solely or in partnership, and have received a service offer from a university entrepreneurship centre, incubator, or business accelerator, or create a company with 25% ownership, or purchase an existing company with at least 51% ownership.

Programme for Quebec Investors:

The international citizen who has

2 years of suitable management experience within the five years prior to the application.
Possesses, alone or together with his accompanying de facto spouse or spouse, assets with a minimum net worth of $2,000,000 that were legally acquired but do not include recent gifts.
A commitment to invest $1,200,000 over a five-year period in a project that has been given the green light.

Programme for Self-Employed Workers in Quebec:

Overseas nationals coming to Quebec with the intention of generating employment through specific professions listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) have a unique immigration process. This process, managed by the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion (MIDI), relies heavily on a point-based selection system.

MIDI, through Ministerial Orders, establishes the following key aspects of the selection process:

Point Allocation: MIDI determines the maximum number of points that can be assigned for each selection factor.
Cutoff Points: MIDI has the authority to set, modify, or eliminate the mandatory cutoff points that applicants must achieve for each selection factor within different immigrant classes.
Retrospective Amendments: MIDI can make changes to the selection criteria retrospectively, even for applications submitted prior to the amendments, provided they haven't reached an advanced assessment stage.

Quebec, as a province, has the capacity to welcome approximately 50,000 immigrants annually, as per its current immigration plan. This sizeable allocation includes a substantial portion of around 30,000 immigrants under the economic class, which surpasses the quotas of other Canadian provinces. MIDI submits an annual report to the National Assembly of Quebec, detailing the total number of immigrants slated for admission to the province in the upcoming year.

What is the Quebec immigration procedure?

Quebec offers several immigration programs, each with its specific eligibility criteria and application procedures. One of the most well-known pathways to obtain Permanent Residence in Quebec is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which comprises two key phases:

Phase 1: Obtaining the CSQ – Quebec Selection Certificate To begin the process, applicants need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online through the ARRIMA portal. Highly eligible candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIDI) for permanent selection. It is crucial for candidates to apply for permanent selection with MIDI online via Mon Projet Quebec within 60 days of receiving the ITA. If their application is approved, candidates will be granted the CSQ – Quebec Selection Certificate.

Phase 2: Applying for Permanent Residence Once candidates have obtained the CSQ, they can proceed to apply for the Canadian Permanent Residence (PR) Visa through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as skilled workers selected by Quebec. IRCC will evaluate and potentially approve the Canada PR Visa after conducting necessary verifications. It’s important to note that the Federal Government’s role in the PR Visa evaluation process primarily pertains to criminality and health-related matters.

The Interest Expression

The EOI – Express of Interest system was introduced by the MIDI in 2018 to speed up the application procedure. It is now necessary for prospective applicants to express their desire to immigrate to Quebec by submitting an online profile to the province’s EOIB (Expression of Interest Bank).

What does ARRIMA Portal mean?

The ARRIMA online portal is a game-changer for individuals looking to migrate to Quebec through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). It has replaced the previous first-come, first-served application process with a more accessible and flexible system. Now, candidates can submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) for free at any time throughout the year.

To be eligible, individuals must be at least 18 years old. The Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion (MIDI) selects candidates from the EOI Bank based on specific criteria that reflect their employability and contribution to strengthening the French language in Quebec.

The selection process primarily focuses on three key categories:

Human Capital: This category considers factors such as education level, proficiency in French, and age.
Capability to Find a Job in Quebec: Candidates with a valid job offer, a Quebec degree, or provisional worker status with at least 6 months of work experience in Quebec have an advantage.
Alignment with the Dynamic Job Market: Preference is given to candidates with training in fields facing labor shortages in Quebec.

The QSWP aims to choose candidates with the highest potential for successful economic settlement in Quebec. Notably, individuals from overseas who lack intermediate-advanced proficiency in the French language still have a good chance of qualifying under the QSWP if their occupation is in high demand in Quebec. This program is designed to attract and retain skilled individuals who can contribute to the province’s economy and society.

The Portal for Mon Projet Quebec

Candidates who get a CSQ application invitation will be directed to a secure area of the Quebec web Mon Projet. They will then be able to submit their application in its entirety and pay the necessary costs for processing within the allotted three months. Candidates can also monitor the progress of their applications. When the application is prepared for processing, MIDI will send a customised list of required papers.

How many points are needed for immigration to Quebec?

Prospective applicants must ensure they meet the essential criteria for passing scores within the selection grid at this stage.

For individual candidates, reaching a score of 43 points is the minimum employability threshold. This score takes into account various factors, including education, age, job offer, work experience, family and Quebec visits, as well as language proficiency.

Additional points can be earned for financial independence and having children. To qualify for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), applicants must achieve a selection threshold score of 50 points.

Applicants who are married also have the opportunity to factor in their spouse’s credentials, such as education, age, and proficiency in French. The employability cut-off score for such candidates is higher at 52 points, and for QSWP selection, the cut-off score is 59 points.

The act of submitting documents

Within three months of the date on which the personalised checklist was received, the necessary documents must be provided. MIDI places strict formatting criteria on the materials submitted by candidates.

How long does it take to process immigration from Quebec?

There are two processing windows for the Quebec Skilled Worker programme:

What are the most in-demand professions in Quebec?

Quebec’s Government regularly updates the Areas of Training List, a crucial component of the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). This list encompasses a wide range of study areas and allocates points to applicants, as well as their spouses, for diplomas obtained outside Quebec or within Quebec, or those deemed equivalent to Quebec credentials.

The primary goal of the QSWP is to select candidates with the highest potential for successful economic settlement in the province of Quebec. For foreign applicants who may not possess intermediate French language skills, the Quebec Occupation In Demand list provides the best opportunity to qualify under Quebec’s immigration regulations.

Here’s a condensed presentation of the High Demand Occupation List for immigration to Quebec:

Management Occupations
Business, Administration, and Finance Occupations
Applied and Natural Sciences and Associated Occupations
Occupations in Health
Occupations in Government Service, Religion, Social Science, and Education
Occupations in Recreation, Sports, Art, and Culture
Occupations in Sales and Service
Equipment Operators, Trades, Transport, and Related Occupations
Occupations Exceptional to Manufacturing, Processing, and Utilities

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