Quebec Skilled Worker Program

This is points-based program that’s operated by the Canadian Government’s own programs under Quebec Immigration Program for skilled workers. Successful applicants may bring accompanying family members with no requirement for a job offer. Quebec uses a system called Arrima to issue invitations for Quebec skilled worker candidates.

Individuals with a job offer and temporary residents of Quebec who are entitled to submit an application to CSQ are exempt and can submit an application at any time outside the regular intake limit. It should be noted that French proficiency language is required for submission under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

There are different eligibility thresholds for single applicants as opposed to applicants with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. All applicants must pass a two point thresholds in order to be considered eligible. All applicants must pass a Quebec values test or completing a course in Quebec values.

Single applicants:

All applicants must acquire at least 43 points of 99 points across the following factors: education level, specific area of training, age, French ability, English ability, connections to Quebec through previous visits and/or family, and whether or not they have a valid job offer from an employer in Quebec to be eligible under the Quebec Immigration Program.

Applicants with spouse or common-law partners:

All applicants must acquire at least 52 points out of 116 points for the first threshold for the Quebec immigration program. These applicants can obtain up to 17 points for the spouse or partner’s factors. Spouse or partner’s points can be obtained through the following factors: Education, Area of Training, Age and French Ability.

Accompanying children:

Single applicants who accumulated 43 points from the above factors must take into consideration the number of children accompanying them as well as their financial capacity, and acquire at least 50 points across all factors to prove there eligibility for Quebec immigration program.

Applicants with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner who accumulated 52 points from the above factors must take into consideration the number of children accompanying them as well as their financial capacity, and acquire at least 59 points across all factors.

2. Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

This is a permanent immigration pathway for French-speaking skilled workers who have gained work experience in the province of Quebec through Quebec immigration program. The PEQ has two streams, one for workers in Quebec, and the other is for students and graduates who attended a post-secondary program in Quebec.

In order to be eligible for this Quebec immigration program, candidates must undergo a two-step process. First, applicants be eligible to apply to apply for Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). This signifies that the applicant has been approved by the government of Quebec for permanent settlement. With this document, the applicant can apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence status. This step is used to check for possible medical and security issues. Second, candidates must prove advanced-intermediate or better French oral and comprehension skills in order to be eligible. Proof may come in the following forms:

• Results of an approved language test
• Transcript that shows the completion of at least three years of secondary or post-graduate full-time studies entirely in French
• A regular license to practice from a professional order in Quebec or an attestation of fulfillment of the language requirements from a professional order

If the applicant is applying with a spouse or a partner, it is required that both applicant and partner provide an advanced-intermediate French-language proficiency.

All applicants must show that they understand Quebec values by passing a test or complete a course in Quebec values.

PEQ: Foreign Workers

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be employed in an occupation in NOC (0, A, B) at time of application
• Must have 24 months worth of experience in the past 36 months prior to applying
• Must prove the required level of French-language ability

PEQ: Students and Graduates (under Quebec immigration program)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must obtain a degree or diploma from a program on the list of PEQ Eligible areas of training
• The degree or diploma provided must be from the past 36 months prior to applying and must obtained from a recognized institution by the Quebec Ministry of Education
• Must gain the appropriate work experience
• Must prove the required level of French-language ability

Work experience for students and graduates

• Must have gained a full-time work experience for at least 12 months after graduation in a job with NOC (0, A, B)
• Must hold the job when submitting the application

Those who completed a (DEP – Diploma of Vocational Studies) attest to 1800 hours or more of continuing education that leads to a particular trade:

• Must have gained a full-time work experience for at least 12 months after graduation in a job with NOC (0, A, B)
• Must hold the job when submitting the application
• If the qualifying work experience is at NOC level (0, A, B) it doesn’t need to be related to the study program
• If the qualifying work experience is at NOC level (C) then it must be related to the study program

Graduates who hold a post-graduate work permit can apply through either stream as long as they meet the requirements of the stream. All applicants must be at the age of 18 or older and residing in the province of Quebec at the time of the application with the intention to stay in Quebec in order to be eligible to apply.

3. Pilot for AI, IT, VFX Workers

This pilot program targets workers who are either currently employed in Quebec or who have a job offer from a Quebec employer. This program has two streams: French-speakers and non-French-speakers. This is program is one of three new pilot programs that helps Quebec meet crucial demand in its labor force. Through this Quebec immigration program, applicants can apply for a Canadian permanent residence status along with their accompanying family members.

This Quebec immigration program targets people residing in Quebec who have an offer of employment or are currently employed in the sector of artificial intelligence. In order to be eligible to apply through the French-speaking stream, candidates must demonstrate intermediate oral knowledge of French.

There are two streams for this Quebec immigration program: one is for the artificial intelligence sector, and the other is for the information technologies and visual effects sector.

Artificial Intelligence stream under Quebec immigration program

Eligibility Requirements: Foreign worker sub-stream

• Must have an educational credential equivalent to a Quebec Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• Must have at least 24 months-worth of work experience of full-time skilled work experience (NOC 0, A, or B) gained within the five years preceding application.
• Must either be currently working or hold an offer of employment for a position in the sector of artificial intelligence
  • – This position must pay at least $75,000 if located outside Montreal metropolitan area, or $100,000 if located within the Montreal metropolitan area.

Eligibility Requirements: Foreign student who is a Quebec graduate sub-stream requirements.

• Must have an educational credential from a Quebec institution for a post-graduate diploma, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree.
• If the applicant’s qualifying educational credential is a post-graduate diploma, they must have obtained at least six months of full-time skilled work experience (NOC 0, A, or B) within the 12 months after graduation.
• Must either be currently working or hold an offer of employment for a position in the sector of artificial intelligence
  • – This position must pay at least $75,000 if located outside Montreal metropolitan area, or $100,000 if located within the Montreal metropolitan area.

Information technologies and visual effects stream

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have a diploma from a technical program which is equivalent to a Quebec diploma of college studies or higher.
• Must have at least 24 months of full-time skilled in an eligible occupation (see below) gained within the five years preceding application.
• Must either be currently working or hold an offer of employment for a position in the sector of artificial intelligence

In order to apply through this pilot program, applicants must submit an online application using Quebec immigration program (Arrima). It follows a two-step process. First, applicants must obtain a CSQ. After acquiring the CSQ, applicants can submit a subsequent application for their permanent resident status.

4. Pilot for Food Processing workers

This pilot program targets food processing workers who are currently employed in Quebec and who have proven abilities in French. This is program is one of three new pilot programs that helps Quebec meet crucial demand in its labor force. Through this program, applicants can apply for a Canadian permanent residence status along with their accompanying family members.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have a diploma which is deemed to be equivalent to a Quebec secondary school diploma, vocational training diploma or higher.
• Must have at least 24 months of work experience in the food or beverage manufacturing industries gained within the 36 months prior to applying.
• Must hold current employment in Quebec in an eligible occupation. This employment must be full-time and for a period covering at least the next 12 months.

In order to apply through this pilot program, applicants must submit an online application using Quebec’s program (Arrima). It follows a two-step process. First, applicants must obtain a CSQ. After acquiring the CSQ, applicants can submit a subsequent application for their permanent resident status.

5. Pilot for orderlies

The pilot program targets orderlies, nurses’ aides, and patient services associates who are currently employed in Quebec and who have proven abilities in French. This is Quebec immigration program is one of three new pilot programs that helps Quebec meet crucial demand in its labor force. Through this program, applicants can apply for a Canadian permanent residence status along with their accompanying family members.

Work stream:

Eligibility Requirements

• Must hold a diploma related to their field of work in NOC 3413 which is deemed to be equivalent to a Quebec vocational diploma or higher.
• Must have at least 24 months of full-time work experience in NOC 3413 gained in the 36 months prior to applying. At least 12 months of this work experience must have been gained in Quebec.

Studies-work stream under Quebec immigration Program

Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a Quebec vocational diploma related to the field of work in NOC 3413 which has been obtained in the two years prior to applying.
• Have at least 12 months of work experience in NOC 3413 gained in Quebec after the completion of the above-mentioned diploma.

In order to apply through this pilot program, applicants must submit an online application using Quebec immigration program (Arrima). It follows a two-step process. First, applicants must obtain a CSQ. After acquiring the CSQ, applicants can submit a subsequent application for their permanent resident status.

6. Entrepreneur Program

This program is designed to help foreign business owners launch entrepreneurial endeavors in the province of Quebec. This is a unique immigration opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and business ownership experience needed to launch a new business project in Quebec. This program does not require French-speaking proficiency to be eligible. However, language proficiency may be taken into account when selecting applicants.

Applicants 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.

This program is divided into two streams, each stream has different Eligibility Requirements.

Stream One

In order to be eligible for stream one, applicants must present a business project idea for a business they intend to create and operate from within Quebec. Also, applicants must have already received a service offer from a Quebec-based business accelerator, business incubator, or university entrepreneurship Centre in order to proceed with Quebec immigration Program.

The applicant must demonstrate that the Quebec-based business accelerator, business incubator, or university entrepreneurship Centre meet the following requirements in order to be eligible:

• Business accelerator: Quebec organizations offering support services, especially in securing funding, to entrepreneurs whose projects are aimed at the growth of innovative companies.
• Business incubator: Quebec organizations offering mentoring services, including hosting, to entrepreneurs with business projects aimed at creating innovative businesses.
• University entrepreneurship Centre: Quebec organizations managed by academic institutions, or affiliated organizations that provide mentoring services to entrepreneurs.

When submitting an application, a central component is the written service offer from the Quebec organization to support the applicants business project. This written offer must present the services the organization intends to offer the entrepreneur and must present: a detailed support plan, an operations plan and budget, and the organization’s expertise in its field.

Stream Two

In order to be eligible for Stream Two, the prospective immigrant entrepreneur must settle in Quebec to create a new business or purchase an existing business. Applicants will be required to submit their business idea in the form of a business plan as part of their application.

Applicants choosing to create a business must own and control at least 25 percent of the business, while those choosing to acquire a business must own and control at least 51 percent of the business. As well, the business must have been in operation within the five years prior to application, and cannot have been purchased from another applicant selected under this program in the previous five years.

The applicant must make a startup deposit and a security deposit with a financial institution in Quebec. The minimum startup deposit amount is CAD $200,000 for businesses located outside of Montreal and CAD $300,000 for Montreal-based businesses. The startup deposit must be used to set up the business. The security deposit is CAD $200,000 and will be refunded when an applicant demonstrates that they have carried out their business plan.

All applicants must have a minimum personal net worth of CAD $900,000 (this can include a spouse or partner’s net worth).

Some business are not eligible under this program such as: Businesses related to payday loans, pawnbroking, real estate development or insurance, and the sex industry.

7. Investor Program

This program is specifically designed for immigrant investors. Foreign investors with net assets totaling at least $2 million CAD may be eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence by signing up to invest through this program. This program does not require French-speaking proficiency to be eligible. However, language proficiency may be taken into account when selecting applicants.

This program provides Canadian permanent resident status upon initial landing. The applicant’s immediate family members may also be included on the application and obtain Canadian permanent residence.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have a net-worth of $2M CAD
• Must invest a minimum of $1.2M CAD over five years
• Must demonstrate at least two years of management experience in the last five years prior to applying
• Applicants must sign an investment agreement with one of Quebec’s participating financial intermediaries.
• Applicants must show that they understand Quebec values. This can be done by passing a Quebec values test or completing a course in Quebec values.

Quebec uses a two-step application process to admit new permanent residents:

• Selection: Selection occurs at the provincial level. All Quebec immigration applicants have to apply to the province of Quebec for CSQ.
• Admission: Admission occurs at the federal level. Once a person has a CSQ, they must apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status. As with all permanent residence applications, applicants must pass through a medical exam and police background check to ensure they are admissible to Canada.

Once an application has been approved at both the provincial and federal levels, an applicant may be approved for Canadian permanent resident status.

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