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Quebec Immigration Programs

The province of Quebec is different from other Canadian provinces due to being French-speaking, and that’s why it has a completely independent immigration system and offers unique options in some immigration routes.

About Quebec

Quebec is the largest province of Canada and the only province where French is the only official language. The capital of this province is Quebec City. Montreal, which is the second largest city in Canada, is located in this province. In terms of climate, the main cities of the province have four seasons.

Besides relying on natural resources, Quebec's economy is developing and industrializing day by day to the point where it is known as one of the main film production centers. This province is known for its high standard of living thanks to its low cost of living. Like all other Canadian provinces, Quebec has a free public health service system for all citizens and legal residents.

Quebec immigration programs can be generally divided into two main categories, each in return having their own sub-categories:

  • Skilled Workers
  • Investment and Entrepreneurship

Quebec Skilled Worker Programs

  • Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
  • Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
  • Quebec Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a popular program for a permanent and economical immigration to the province. Similar to Federal Skilled Worker Program of Express Entry System, applicants interested in economic immigration must first express their intention to immigrate to Quebec by completing an Expression of Interest (EOI) form through an online portal.

How the program works

Applicants for this program must first submit their request by registering an expression of interest form in a system called “Arima” and send their online profile to the Quebec Immigration Office. Submitted profiles are scored based on factors such as age, education, language skills and work experience. After that and based on periodic selections, the applicants with the highest score are selected for the next stage, which is the submission of the permanent residence application. Candidates invited to apply for permanent residence in Quebec will then use the Mon Project Quebec portal to complete and submit the application form for permanent selection.

Finally, after reviewing the case, Quebec issues a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) for the selected applicants. Meanwhile, selected applicants are allowed to send forms and documents to IRCC to continue reviewing their case and obtain an immigration visa. In order to qualify for the CSQ certificate from the Quebec Regular Skilled Workforce Program, applicants must obtain sufficient points based on the Quebec Immigration selection grid. In this grid, singles should obtain at least 50 points and married people should obtain 59 points.

FactorsPoints
1EducationUp to 14 points (Cutoff Score = 2 points)
2Area of TrainingUp to 12 points
3Validated Employment OfferUp to 14 points
4Work ExperienceUp to 8 points
5AgeUp to 16 points
6Language ProficiencyUp to 22 points
7Stay And Family In QuebecUp to 8 points
8Spouse/Common-law partner CharacteristicsUp to 17 points
9Presence Of Accompanying ChildrenUp to 8 points
10Financial Self-Sufficiency1 point

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

Since January 2021, applicants for the Quebec Experience Program must pay the required fee and upload the required documents through the ARIMA portal along with submitting their application. Paper-based applications submitted after this date will no longer be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria (PEQ) for Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the 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 or as part of a youth exchange program, such as International Experience Canada (IEC) (Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship);
  • are employed at the time of the application;
  • Language requirements:
    • prove French ability by way of a standardized language test recognized by the Government of Quebec; or
    • 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
    • show that they have satisfied the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
    • Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ need to demonstrate spoken knowledge of French.

Eligibility Criteria (PEQ) for Quebec Graduates

Foreign students who have studied in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:

  • show an intention to settle in Quebec to hold a job;
  • have stayed temporarily in Quebec for the purposes of study;
  • have obtained an eligible degree or diploma from an educational institution recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education within the past 36 months;
  • have studied in Quebec for at least 1,800 hours (two years)
  • hold a Masters, Bachelors or DEC diploma and have 12 months of work experience in a 0, A, B level job and to hold such a job at the time of application
  • hold a DEP and have 18 months of work experience in a 0, A, B or C level job and required to hold such a job at the time of application. Please note that C level work must be related to the degree.
  • Language requirements:
    • 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 a study program in Québec completed entirely in French (including the master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable); or
    • prove French ability by way of a standardized language test recognized by the Government of Quebec; or
    • show that they have satisfied the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
    • Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ need to demonstrate spoken knowledge of French.

Note: Work experience acquired during mandatory internships will be taken into account up to a maximum of 3 months.

Quebec Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs

Quebec's pilot programs were developed to help the province find the talent it needs in several sectors that are currently experiencing labour shortages. The Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) plans to issue Quebec Selection Certificates (QSC) to up to 600 principal applicants plus their family members annually under each of the three pilot programs.

Note: All three pilot programs will be in effect until January 1, 2026.

Permanent Immigration Pilot Program 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. The application intake period is from November 3, 2021 to December 31, 2022, or until the maximum number of applications to receive has been reached. The work experience or currently held job must correspond to one of the following occupations under the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

  • NOC 6732 – Specialized cleaner
  • NOC 8431 – General farm worker, but only in the position of chicken catcher
  • NOC 9461 – Process control and machine operator, food and beverage processing
  • NOC 9462 – Industrial butcher and meat cutter, poultry preparer and related worker
  • NOC 9463 – Fish and seafood plant worker
  • NOC 9617 – Labourer in food and beverage processing
  • NOC 9618 – Labourer in fish and seafood

General 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 self-sufficiency for at least the first three months following 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.
  • 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 sectors under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) of the Government of Canada:
      • NAICS 311 – Food manufacturing; or
      • NAICS 3121 – Beverage manufacturing
  • Language requirements:
    • Demonstrate knowledge of French corresponding to level 7 (advanced intermediate) on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, or equivalent.

Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Orderlies

This pilot program offers a pathway to Canadian permanent resident status to those already residing in Quebec and working as orderlies, nurse aides or as patient service associates. The application intake period is from November 3, 2021 to December 31, 2022, or until the maximum number of applications to receive has been reached. This program is divided into the following two streams:

  • Work
  • Work-Study

General Requirements for Both Streams

  • Be 18 years of age or older;
  • Intend to settle in Quebec to work;
  • Have met the conditions of your stay in Quebec;
  • Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for at least the first three months following your arrival in Quebec.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of French corresponding to level 7 (advanced intermediate) on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, or equivalent.
  • 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 work experience as 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.
  • Targeted Occupations
    • The work experience or currently held job must correspond to the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) code:
      • NOC 3413 – Nurse aide, orderly and patient service associate.
    • Alternatively, the work experience may have been acquired outside of Québec in an occupation other than the one cited above, it must correspond to one of the following NOC codes:
      • NOC 3011 – Nursing coordinator and supervisor
      • NOC 3012 – Registered nurse and registered psychiatric nurse
      • NOC 3124 – Allied primary health practitioner
      • NOC 3233 – Licensed practical nurse
      • NOC 4412 – Home support worker, housekeeper and related occupations

Work-Study Stream- Specific Conditions

  • Education Requirement:
    • Have obtained a Quebec diploma of vocational studies (DEP) leading to the practice of the 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.

Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies and Visual Effects Sectors

This permanent immigration pilot 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)

This program aims to select 300 Quebec graduates and temporary workers in the AI sector and 300 foreign workers in the IT/VE sector.

Note: The application intake period is from November 3, 2021 to December 31, 2022, or until the maximum number of applications to receive has been reached.

General Requirements for Both Streams

  • Be 18 years of age or older;
  • Intend to settle in Quebec to work;
  • Have met the conditions of your stay in Quebec, if applicable;
  • Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for at least the first three months following your arrival in Quebec.
  • Language Requirements for Both Streams:
    • Those selected under the French-speaker profile must demonstrate knowledge of French corresponding to level 7 (advanced intermediate) on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, or equivalent.
    • Those selected under the Non French-Speaker profile will automatically be enrolled in a free, personalized program called "Accompagnement Québec" designed to facilitate the process of integration into Quebec society and support in learning French.

Education and Work Experience Requirements
Artificial Intelligence Stream – Specific Conditions

  • Foreign Workers:
    • Have a diploma equivalent to a Quebec bachelor’s degree and have acquired two years of full-time work experience in level 0, A, or B jobs according to the National Occupational Classification; 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:
    • Have a higher specialized 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 Emploi-Québec website.

Targeted Occupations

The work experience or currently held job must correspond to one of the following occupations under the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

  • NOC 0213 – Computer and information systems manager
  • NOC 2133 – Electrical and electronics engineer
  • NOC 2171 – Information systems analyst and consultant
  • NOC 2173 – Software engineer and designer
  • NOC 2174 – Computer programmer and interactive media developer
  • NOC 2241 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologist and technician
  • NOC 2281 – Computer network technician
  • NOC 5131 – Producer, director, choreographer and related occupations,
  • NOC 5225 – Audio and video recording technician,
  • NOC 5241 – Graphic designer and illustrator

Quebec Immigration Programs for Entrepreneurs

The province of Quebec has three pathways for attracting international investors and entrepreneurs to the market of this province:

  • Quebec Investor Program
  • Quebec Entrepreneur Program
  • Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

Note: Quebec's immigration by investment program is suspended until April 1, 2023.

As the only passive investment-based immigration program in Canada since 2014, the Quebec Investment Program allows investors to apply for permanent residence in Canada by investing a risk-free investment through an approved financial intermediary organization or through personal investment. Quebec investment program applicants are scored based on six factors and must score at least 40 points. One of the requirements of the Quebec investment program is that the applicants must obtain at least 10 points from the work experience factor and at least 25 points from the financial investment factor.

Minimum eligibility requirements:

In order to be eligible for this program, the following minimum requirements are required:

  • At least 2 million Canadian dollars in legal net worth
  • At least 2 years of management experience within the 5 years prior to submitting the application
  • Agreement to invest an amount of one million and two hundred thousand Canadian dollars through a financial intermediary

Benefits of Quebec Investor Program (QIIP)

  • Your investment is guaranteed by the Quebec government and can be returned after 5 years
  • After passively investing this amount, there is no need to play an active management role
  • All members of the applicant's close family members (spouse and children) are included in the program and obtain permanent residence in Canada
  • Having the benefits of a permanent resident of Canada, including: social health care, free education, access to world-class universities, etc.

Quebec's Entrepreneur Immigration Program

Quebec's Entrepreneurship Program offers qualified business owners and managers the opportunity to obtain permanent residence in Quebec. Obtaining permanent residence in Quebec through this program can be obtained if only applicants are able to effectively establish or purchase and manage a business in the province. This program has two streams:

  • Stream One: Stream One is focused on new businesses or startups established in the province with the support of a business incubator / accelerator or university in the province.
  • Stream Two:Stream Two is focused on owner-funded and operated businesses.

All applicants for Quebec entrepreneurship programs are required to submit a business project plan.

Stream One:

Applicants of the first stream of Quebec entrepreneur Program are required to obtain at least 41 points from the Quebec economic class scoring system. Candidates applying for the first stream of Quebec entrepreneur program can earn points based on factors such as education level, educational fields, age, familiarity with French and English languages, and residence and family in Quebec. No additional points are given to applicants who have a spouse or partner.

The minimum requirements for this program are as follows:

  • Education level: minimum high school diploma
  • Personal Financial Affordability: Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency
  • Business Project: Submit a service proposal from an incubator/accelerator or university entrepreneurship center and demonstrate a successful evaluation of the business project.

Stream Two:

Note: The intake of permanent selection applications under the Entrepreneur Program — Stream 2 has been temporarily suspended.

Foreign nationals interested in the second stream of the Quebec Entrepreneur Program must obtain a passing score of 81 in all 13 factors of the Quebec Economy Class Scoring System to have a chance of being selected. Applicants for this program are scored based on factors such as education level, educational fields, age, knowledge of French and English, and residence and family in Quebec.

The minimum requirements for this program are as follows:

  • Education level: minimum high school diploma
  • Personal Financial Affordability: Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency
  • Business Project: Providing a successful evaluation of the business project
  • Business Ownership/Management: Owning at least 25% of the shares of the established entity or at least 51% of the shares of the acquired company (alone or together with your spouse). The value of the applicant's financial assistance must be equal to or greater than the amount that should be used to start the business project.
  • Minimum Net Worth: Minimum net worth of at least $900,000

Quebec's Self-Employed Worker Immigration Program

The Quebec Self-Employed Workforce Program provides the opportunity of obtaining Quebec permanent residency to qualified individuals who can effectively establish themselves as an independent businessperson or professional in the province.

Note: Quebec will accept 50 applications for selection under its Self-Employed Worker Program between November 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022.

Minimum eligibility requirements:

  • Education level: minimum high school diploma
  • Professional experience as a self-employed worker: at least two years of work experience in a business similar to the business considered for the province of Quebec
  • Financial self-sufficiency: providing a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency
  • Deposit for start-up: minimum initial deposit of $50,000 in a financial institution (for businesses based in Montreal) or minimum initial deposit of $25,000 (for businesses outside of Montreal)
  • Minimum net worth: at least 100 thousand Canadian dollars (in the form of personal capital or with spouse)

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