Quebec Skilled Worker Program
The French-speaking province of Quebec has created its own special program for skilled foreign workers in collaboration with the national Canadian immigration agency, known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program. This Canadian immigration program has four pathways (“streams”) and two main steps. A foreign worker will first apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program and if he or she receives a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) from Quebec’s provincial government, the second step is to apply for permanent residency with the national Canadian immigration agency.
Living in Quebec
Quebec is a unique place to live in Canada, due to its history, culture, population and natural beauty. This vast region of Canada was originally settled by the French, whereas the rest of present-day Canada was settled by the British. As a result, the majority of people living in Quebec speak French (many also speak English). This is different from Canada’s other nine provinces and three territories, where most residents speak English (and many also know French). Quebec’s special French-Canadian culture further sets this province apart from the rest of Canada and helps to attract many tourists from around the world. In addition to being the biggest Canadian province, Quebec has the country’s second largest population and #2 economy (which is also among the top producers of new jobs in Canada). Furthermore, Montreal has the second largest population of any city in Canada and was ranked #20 (tied with Ottawa, Ontario) for best quality of life out of 450 cities assessed in the 2024 Mercer Global Quality of Living Survey. People living in Quebec have access to quality education programs, including some of the best universities in Canada. If you and your family want to experience a high standard of living in Canada and you are a skilled foreign worker with good French language abilities, you may want to consider living and working in Quebec!
Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program Overview
The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program is a Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers and their families who want to live and work in Quebec. In general, there is a two-step procedure to apply for Canadian immigration through the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program.
During the first step of the application process, a foreign worker will submit his/her Expression of Interest (EOI) through Quebec’s online “Arrima” system. The EOI contains the applicant’s relevant personal details, including information about his/her education, work experience, French and/or English language abilities, family situation, contact details, any validated job offer, current status in Quebec, and other information. An applicant can login to update his/her EOI if necessary. Quebec’s provincial authorities will then review the details in the EOI and if the applicant appears to meet the criteria, their EOI will be placed in the Expression of Interest Bank (EIB).
It should be noted that a skilled foreign worker must satisfy the criteria for one of the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program's four pathways ("streams"):
- Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
- Intermediate and Manual Skills
- Regulated Professions
- Exceptional Talent
An applicant who receives an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Selection and is granted the Certificat de sélection du Québec (Quebec Selection Certificate) from the relevant provincial authorities in Quebec can move forward to the second major step of the procedure.
During this second step, the foreign worker will have 60 days to submit an application for a permanent resident visa to Canada with all of the required documents and fee(s) to the Canadian immigration agency. The relevant officials in Canada’s national government will review the Canadian visa application and documents, including the medical exam(s), and will conduct a security check of the applicant(s). If the visa application is approved by the national Canadian immigration agency, a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) will be sent to the immigrant, a permanent resident visa to Canada will be stamped inside of his/her valid passport, and the new Canadian permanent resident(s) will be allowed to move to Quebec. At the end of the second step of the process, the immigrant will need to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) and the separate fee for a Permanent Resident Card.
This is a brief overview of the major requirements and procedure for the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program and subject to change at any time by the Canadian immigration authorities. To find out which Canadian visa option you qualify to apply for, click here!
Permanent Residency Benefits
Foreign workers and their family members who are granted Canadian permanent residency can receive many benefits. For example, a Canadian permanent resident can live in Canada for an unlimited length of time. Immigrants approved for Canadian permanent residency through the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program can legally work in Quebec and have the opportunity to attend world-class educational programs. Other benefits include opening a bank account and getting a driver’s license, having the options to buy a home and start a business, being permitted to travel to and from Canada, and sponsoring eligible family members for a Canadian visa. After living in Canada as a permanent resident for at least three years and satisfying other criteria, an immigrant can apply to become a citizen of Canada and also get a Canadian passport.
To learn if you are likely to qualify for the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program or another Canadian immigration program, click here!
DISCLAIMER: This information is not and shall not be considered as expert or professional advice.
