Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Quebec operates a number of different immigration programs enabling eligible candidates to secure Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has granted the province of Quebec significantly more autonomy in immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration programs are often treated separately from other provinces’.
Quebec is the only province in Canada whose only official language is French. For this reason, some of Quebec’s immigration programs require proficiency or offer preference to individuals proficient in French.
Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)
Quebec immigration applications are approved through two separate processes: selection and admission. Selection occurs at the provincial level, while admission occurs at the federal level. To immigrate to Quebec, an applicant must meet the requirements for both selection and admission. In the selection step of the process, a foreign national must obtain approval from the province of Quebec itself.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW)
The Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW) is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence. As a skilled worker program, all applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum amount of skilled work experience. QSW is a points-based immigration program, meaning applicants must meet a minimum score on a points assessment grid in order to be eligible.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
In order to apply to the Quebec Investor Program, applicants must have net assets totalling at least $2 million CAD and the ability to invest at least $1.2 million CAD with a Quebec financial intermediary. Applicants who fit these criteria may be eligible to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the Quebec Investor Program.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity along with the experience and intention to manage a business project in Quebec or to acquire a business in Quebec.
Quebec Self-EmployedQuebec Self-Employed
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows certain self-employed people to immigrate to Quebec and create their own job. In order to qualify for this program, an applicant needs to have net assets of at least $100,000 CAD and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the field they plan to practice in Quebec.
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)
A number of Quebec’s temporary resident programs require a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate – CAQ), to authorize temporary stay in Quebec. This includes the majority of study programs for international students. NOTE: A CAQ authorizes temporary stay in the Province of Quebec. Not to be confused with a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which authorizes permanent stay in the province.
Validated Job Offer
If a Quebec employer wishes to hire a foreign national, they may be eligible to extend the foreign national a job offer which has been officially validated by MIDI. A validated job offer is a strong advantage in the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program as it gives its holder either 8 points (if the job is located in the Montreal region) or 10 points (if the position is located outside the Montreal region).
As well, holders of validated job offers are exempt from the quota requirement for QSW applications, meaning they can apply for a CSQ at any time. To validate the job offer, the position and the foreign national must meet several requirements: