Quebec immigration programs

Quebec is the only Canadian province having French as the only official language. So, French proficiency is a must to qualify for some of the immigration policies of Quebec. There are also a few immigration pathways that allow non-French speakers to apply for migration to Quebec.

Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)

The application process for Quebec migration involves two steps, selection and admission. While selection takes place at the provincial level, admission happens at the federal level. To migrate to Quebec, a candidate must meet the requirements for both selection and admission.

The candidates who are selected by the province of Quebec for admission are awarded a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Quebec Selection Certificate – CSQ). This document is issued by the immigration authorities of Quebec to the candidates who successfully apply through one of the immigration programs of Quebec.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec Skilled Worker Program, an immigration pathway for permanent residence, is a skilled worker program that requires the candidate to demonstrate a minimum level of skilled work experience. This is a points-based system, and the candidates need to score minimum points on a points assessment grid to qualify.
Though it is not necessary for the candidate to have French proficiency in applying under this program, it is an advantage and adds some extra points to their total score on the points assessment grid. To be considered under this program, the candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest(EoI) on the Arrima portal.

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

Another pathway for permanent residence offered by Quebec is the Quebec Experience Program. To be eligible, the candidates must have previous experience in Quebec, either as a temporary foreign worker or as an international student. Further, the candidates must possess intermediate-level knowledge in oral French. The applicant must also be legally residing in Quebec at the time of applying.

Quebec Investor Program

Those possessing a minimum net worth of at least $2 million may apply for the Quebec Investor Program. The applicant must also be ready to invest at least $1.2 million with a Quebec financial intermediary. Those who meet these criteria may obtain permanent residence through the Quebec Investor Program.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The candidates with the required level of financial capacity, work experience, and plan to set up a new business or acquire an existing business in Quebec may apply for Canada PR under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program.

Quebec Self-Employed

Certain self-employed people can migrate to Quebec under the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program. To be eligible under this program, the applicant must have minimum net assets worth $100,000. They must also have at least 2 years of experience in the field in which they plan to practice in Quebec.

Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)

A certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate – CAQ) authorizes a person for a temporary stay in Quebec. Many Quebec’s temporary resident programs, including most of the study programs for international students, require the candidate to obtain this certificate. However, Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) must not be confused with the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which allows the holder to apply for permanent stay in Quebec.

Validated job offer

If a Quebec employer wishes to hire a foreign worker, they must first have the job offer official validated by MIDI. A Quebec Skilled Worker Program candidate with a validated job offer obtains 8 points if the job is located in the Montreal region. If the job is located outside the Montreal region, the candidate will earn 10 points.

Further, those with a validated job offer are exempt from quota requirements set for the QSWP applications. It means these candidates may apply for a CSQ anytime. To have the job offer validated, both the job position and the employer must meet certain requirements:

Job position requirements

• It must be for a permanent, full-time position classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, B, or C.
• Hiring, the foreign worker, must have a positive or neutral impact on the local labour market.
• The job must have been offered in writing by a Quebec employer. The employer must have been in operation for at least 12 months.
• The employer must have made appropriate efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position.

Requirements for foreign workers

• Submit important documents, including copies of documents related to identification and education, besides curriculum vitae (CV), and a written copy of the employment offer.
• Must possess the necessary license/certificate to practice the profession, in case if it is a regulated profession in Quebec.
• If the foreign national is already working for the employer, a copy of the work permit, along with three recent salary slips, also needs to be submitted.

If the foreign worker is already a temporary worker under the employer, they need not prove that they had made efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident before recruiting the foreign worker. But in all other cases, the employer needs to show proof of their efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen/permanent resident. If the job position meets all the requirements, the employer can submit the job offer for validation to MIDI.