Quebec Immigration Programs have always been given special status by the Federal government of Canada because of the distinct immigration policies associated with the province of Quebec.
Quebec with its separate immigration procedures has more power than any other province in Canada.
What is unique about Quebec as a Province?
The following are the distinct characteristics of Quebec:
- Only Quebec has French as its official language.
- This results in the increased preference given to candidates having proficiency in the French language.
- Several immigration programs in Quebec demand French proficiency.
- Different pathways are available for candidates who are incompetent in the French language.
Application Process: Two Ways
The immigration applications are processed in two main ways, one being the selection procedure and the other being the admission procedure. The province determines and approves the selection process while the admission process is carried out by the Federal government with the IRCC giving the final approval to the applicants.
For any applicant to successfully immigrate to Quebec, he needs to clear both the processes of selection and admission.
To get through the Selection Process, Quebec needs to give its provincial approval to the Foreign Nationals whereas to get through the Admission Process, the Federal government must give approval.
Quebec Selection Certificate CSQ
The approval through the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) is officially given by the immigration authorities of the provinces. This certificate marks your application as successful through any of the immigration programs in Quebec.
There are various immigration programs available in Quebec to apply for permanent residency status. These are as follows:
Quebec Skilled Worker Program- Eligibility Required
Quebec Skilled Worker Program is carried out by the Quebec province for all those candidates having experience as skilled workers. The expected candidates will contribute immensely to Quebec’s economy.
- To apply under QSWP the applicant needs to have minimum work experience as a skilled worker.
- This immigration program is primarily based on a point system.
- An assessment grid based on points displays a minimum score for candidates to meet the score eligibility.
- Although French proficiency is an added advantage for scoring more points, the candidate isn’t obligated to be proficient in the French language.
- Once the candidates understand their eligibility, they need to send an Expression of Interest for this program on the online portal.
Quebec Experience Program- Eligibility Criteria
Quebec Experience Program or PEQ applies to candidates who have acquired proficiency in the French language and also to those who have legally gained work experience in the province. Applications under this program are processed faster as compared to the other programs.
- This program calls for candidates with valid experience in Quebec province.
- This experience in Quebec must be as a temporary foreign worker or as an international student.
- In this program, students must also possess advanced knowledge of the oral French language.
- When a candidate or applicant decides to apply, he must be residing in Quebec only. He must remain there till the application is processed.
Quebec Investor Program And Its Eligibility
The Quebec Investor Program applies to investors who have considerable experience with essential assets and also established net worth, which they can contribute to Quebec.
- Applying through the program means the applicant must have the financial capacity with a net worth of $2 million CAD.
- He must also be able to invest at least $1.2 million. This must make the applicant eligible to successfully attain permanent residency status in Canada.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program – Eligibilty Details
Quebec Entrepreneur Program applies to those entrepreneurs who immigrate to start a new business or expand an existing business in Quebec.
- The applicant must be financially capable of managing a business.
- The applicant must also possess the experience and intention to invest in and manage a business or a business project.
- Or the applicant must have the intention of acquiring a business in Quebec.
Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program- When Can you Apply?
This program provides an opportunity for specific individuals to go for self-employment by creating a set of jobs after immigration to Quebec.
- Assets worth $100,000 CAD for applicants to qualify under this program.
- Depending on what kind of field the applicants would like to accomplish in, prior work experience as a self-employed individual is required in the same field.
Temporary Resident Programs- Quebec Certificate Of Acceptance
Quebec Certificate of Acceptance is applicable to almost all temporary resident programs in Quebec.
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate- This certificate is essential to validate a temporary stay in Quebec and it is demanded by most of the Temporary Resident Programs.
- This certificate is usually demanded by the international students enrolled in study programs contrary to the Quebec Selection Certificate which is meant for permanent residency.
Job Offers & Their Validation
There are certain rules related to the job offers and their validity in Quebec, they’re as follows:
- In case of the Quebec, if the employer has a wish of providing a job offer to foreign nationals he or she can even extend that job offer which is approved by MIDI, Ministery of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- If a job offer by a Quebec employer is located within the Montreal region, then an additional 8 points will be provided whereas if he provides a job offer to the applicant outside the Montreal region, an additional 10 points will be gained.
- Candidates possessing a valid job offer aren’t required to fulfill any QSW quota requirements and they are eligible to apply for Quebec Selection Certificate whenever they want to.
Foreign Nationals – Job Position Requirements
Foreign Nationals must qualify for the following job requirements:
- A valid employer with a minimum of 12 months of experience must give you a written job offer.
- A visible neutral or positive impact on the Labour Market requirements must be seen.
- A valid job offer that is aligned with NOC skill levels A, B, or C and is also permanent and full-time in nature.
Employers hiring for permanent residency status or Canadian citizenship must ensure that deserving candidates are hired authentically based on the following points:
- Updated CV, authentic and valid documents related to identification and education of the candidates.
- An updated license for practicing the regulated profession in Quebec as desired by the candidate.
- The last three salary slips and a work permit copy of the candidate if observed as already under job in Quebec.
The employer is expected to provide concrete evidence displaying that proper hiring was done following a complete authentic recruitment procedure. An exception to this case is only when a candidate is observed to be temporarily working under an employer as in that case no evidence needs to be presented.
Once all the requirements are met, the employers can further request validation from MIDI by sending an application.