Quebec Immigration – Skilled Worker Program

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a program for economic immigration candidates who intend to settle in the province of Quebec. Quebec’s Ministère de l’immigration, de la francisation et de l’intégration (MIFI) invites candidates to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ) based on their Expression of Interest profile, which details their age, education, work experience, proficiency in French, among other factors.

Under the revised Quebec immigration system, as a first step, foreign national who want to immigrate to Québec under the QSWP must first express their interest by filling out an online Expression of Interest form through the Portal. On this form, individuals must provide information regarding their area of training, educational level, language skills and work experience, as well as additional information. The Ministère periodically invites individuals from the Expression of Interest bank who meet certain criteria, focusing mainly on labour market needs in the various regions of Québec. Having a validated job offer is one of the criteria taken into consideration.

A CSQ is the document issued to successful applicants to Quebec immigration programs to show that they have been selected for immigration to Quebec. With a CSQ, a candidate can apply to the Federal government for permanent residence. The CSQ is not a permanent residence visa and cannot be utilized for entry into Canada.

Processing times vary according to the applicant’s country of residence and are liable to change.. It is important to note that the processing times at the federal stage are not included in this estimate.

The QSWP operates on a points-based system, in which candidates must meet a points threshold to be eligible. This threshold is determined by a candidate’s family situation – single applicants must obtain 50 points, while applicants including their spouse or common-law partner on their application must obtain 59 points. Points are granted for education, work experience, languages knowledge, family situation, and other criteria. For more information on points calculation, please click here.

Possibly. The selection is done on a points-based assessment. If a candidate meets the selection points requirements without speaking French, he or she may still be granted the CSQ. To find out if you are eligible

Government processing fees for 2019 can be reviewed in the table below.

No. While other immigration programs accept educational credential assessments such as World Education Services (WES) to prove diploma equivalency, the MIFI does not recognize these credential assessments. Certified true copies of diplomas and transcripts are currently the required documents to prove an applicant’s educational credentials.

Possibly. The selection is done on a points-based assessment. If a candidate meets the selection points requirements without providing results of an IELTS English test, he or she may still be granted the CSQ.

No. An applicant who is married or in a common-law relationship can submit an application as a single applicant. The spouse would then be declared on the application as non-accompanying. However, if the principal applicant intends to include children on his or her application, parental permission is required from the non-accompanying spouse.

No. The process of immigration to Quebec exists outside the federal Express Entry immigration selection system.

Quebec is responsible for selecting immigrants to settle within the province. In order to immigrate to Quebec, candidates must first obtain a CSQ. It is important to note that a CSQ is not a Permanent Residence Visa. Once an application for a CSQ is submitted, candidates’ qualifications are assessed at the provincial level. After receiving approval at the provincial level (in the form of the CSQ), the candidate must submit an application at the federal level for medical and security checks. After a candidate is approved at the federal level, he or she receives permanent residence.