Quebec Skilled Worker Program Requirements 2020

Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Quebec with its autonomy given by the federal government has its own immigration programs for the skilled immigrants to apply for permanent residence. Quebec is the only province in Canada that has French as its official language, making it mandatory for immigrants to prove proficiency in the French language. There are also two other immigration programs for non-French immigrants.

Following are the different immigration programs through which you can move to Quebec as a PR:

• Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) – For skilled workers who want to apply for permanent residence. You will be required to score the minimum points required in the QSWP points assessment grid to be eligible under this program.
• Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) – This immigration program for temporary foreign workers or international graduates who have work experience in Quebec
• Quebec Investor Program – To apply under this program, candidates must have a net asset of at least 2 million CAD and the ability to invest at least 1.2 million CAD with a Quebec financial intermediary.
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program – This immigration program is for experienced businessmen who want to run their own business in the province or buy an existing business
• Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program – This immigration program allows certain self-employed workers to immigrate to Quebec and create their own jobs.

How to move to Quebec as a skilled immigrant?

The Province of Quebec has a special agreement with the federal government that allows them to have their own rules and select the skilled immigrants who meet those minimum requirements.

Now, to move to the province of Quebec as a skilled immigrant, you have to follow two simple steps:

• Apply to the provincial government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) –
  • Your application will be assessed by the Quebec immigration authorities on their eligibility criteria
  • CSQ certificate will show that province has accepted you as accepted as an immigrant
• With the CSQ, you can now submit your application for PR Visa to the IRCC

What is the process for QSWP?

To apply through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, you have to score the minimum score required under the QSWP points assessment grid. Once you clear the minimum points requirement, you can submit your EOI through an online portal – Arrima. Quebec’s government will then invite immigrants to submit their application for CSQ.

QSWP Points Assessment Grid

If you are applying without your spouse under QSWP, you have to score a minimum of 50 points and if applying with your spouse, you have to get a minimum of 59 points in the QSWP points assessment grid.

Following tables will illustrate how points are awarded for Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ):

What are the application fee and processing time for Quebec Immigration?

Following is the fees for Quebec Skilled Workers/ Professionals processing fees (Quebec PNP fees) –

Other than the above fees, you have to submit the Canada PR Visa fees.

Getting a PR Visa through Quebec is a two-step process. The first stage is to get the CSQ certificate that shows you are selected for the permanent resident status in the province. The second stage is to submit your application for a Canada PR Visa to the IRCC.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) processing time – 15 to 17 months (federal stage only).