The Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration Program

What is The Québec City?

Québec City, Québec, founded in 1608, population 531,902 (2016 c), 516,576 (2011 c). Québec City, the capital of the province of Québec, is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River where it meets the Rivière Saint-Charles. Here, the St. Lawrence narrows to a width of just over 1 km, and navigation is made difficult by a group of islands, the largest of which is Île d’Orléans. Cap-Diamant, a promontory with an elevation of 98 m, dominates the site and was used effectively as a fortification, earning Québec City the name “Gibraltar of North America.” The name “Québec” is probably derived from an Algonquian word meaning “narrowing of the river.”

The Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration Program

The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) is an immigration program operated by the province of Quebec for candidates who have skilled work experience and will be able to make lasting contributions to Quebec’s economy as members of the workforce.

The Federal Skilled worker visa is difficult to obtain. So, for most foreign nationals, the Québec Skilled worker program is the easier Plan-B. The Québec Government introduced this program. The main aim was to create a hassle-free and less tedious immigration procedure so that skilled professionals could easily move to the province.

Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers

This is the application process for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada and live in Quebec. Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada. The province has its own rules for choosing immigrants who will adapt well to living there.

To immigrate to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, you must apply in the following 2 stages:

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.
• These instructions are for your application for permanent residence only.

How Does The Quebec Skilled Worker Program Work?

The Quebec Skilled Worker program has specific qualifying criteria based on Quebec’s cultural uniqueness. An applicant can include their spouse, common-law partner and any dependent children on their application – applicants must note that additional points are awarded to applicants with families (especially those with young children) under the Quebec Skilled Worker program.

Although the program has no official list of eligible occupations you may want to take a look at some of the occupations that are currently in demand in Quebec. If the criteria set out by Quebec’s immigration authorities are met, the individual will qualify for the program regardless of their occupation or field of expertise.

Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Immigration selection system are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate, at which point they may apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa.

To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, Skilled Worker applicants must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection system. A single applicant must score at least 49 points based on the criteria and an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must score at least 57 points.

Quebec Skilled Workers applicants are not assessed based upon the selection factors of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

How Do I Become A Skilled Worker In Quebec?

You can become a skilled immigrant in Quebec by applying for the Quebec Selection Certificate or Certificate de sélection du Québec(CSQ). There are certain things you need to factor in when applying for the Quebec Selection Certificate or its equivalent.

• Immigration officials in Quebec control this process with the help of secure servers and IRCC.
• You don’t need a valid job offer for successfully immigrating under the Quebec Immigration Program.
• Applicants with a job offer are prioritized. However, you still stand a chance, even without a Quebec employer.
• You need to fulfil specific requirements to apply for a CSQ. Then only can you move to Quebec with a Permanent Residency visa?
• The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (Quebec experience program) selects skilled workers who want to settle in Quebec permanently. This is where the Certificate/certificat de sélection du Québec comes in. This program includes Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers.
• The Programme de l’ experience can get you permanent residence in Quebec.

Quebec Skilled Worker Requirements

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is more complex than many other Canadian immigration programs. There are different eligibility thresholds for single applicants as opposed to applicants with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, and all applicants have to pass two points thresholds in order to be considered eligible.

As of January 1, 2020, all applicants for permanent residence through Quebec immigration programs are required to show they understand Quebec values. This can be done by passing a Quebec values test or completing a course in Quebec values.

Processing Time For Quebec Immigration

What is the processing time of PEQ? The PEQ (Quebec Experience Program) has had a processing standard of 20 days, however, the province is now committing to processing applications within a maximum of 6 months. The reason for this is Quebec wants to ensure it is treating PEQ and Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) candidates equally.

The shift to Quebec is a two-stage process.

The first stage can be divided into 3 parts:

• Verification of documents
• Preliminary review
• Selection review

The second stage is the federal application process. It involves police clearing, medical and visa stamping. The process may take up to 12 months once the documents are verified.

Common FAQ About Québec Immigration

How many points are required for Québec immigration?

You need to score at least 50 points to qualify for Quebec immigration/citizenship Canada. If you are planning to move with your family, the principal applicant needs to score at least 59 points.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in Quebec?

The time taken to get permanent residency in Quebec is usually 12-16 months.

What is the IELTS score required for Quebec immigration?

The minimum score required for Quebec immigration is a CLB 7 in all categories (which is 6.0 in each category on the IELTS General Training). Although a CLB 7 is good enough, we suggest aiming for a CLB 9.