Slide Option 1

Opportunity Lives Here

Canadian Immigration Attorney

*IMPORTANT: Following a recent decision from the Government of Quebec, the province of Quebec will only accept skilled worker applications where the applicant meets one of following situations. The changes were implemented due to the significant increase of applications over the past few years resulting in a backlog. New changes are also coming Summer 2013.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is designed to select those foreign skilled workers and professionals who are best suited to adapt and become economically established in Quebec.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Stream is similar to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, however, the selection criteria is not exactly the same. Unlike other provinces, Quebec Immigration has the authority to establish laws and regulations governing immigration to Quebec. A Canadian immigration attorney from our law firm can provide the assistance you need.

A Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC) is issued to applicants who are successful under one of the Quebec immigration programs. Once an applicant is issued his or her QSC, he or she may then apply to the Federal government for their Canadian permanent resident status.

To be selected as a skilled worker, applicants must first meet the following general requirements:

  1. the applicant must intend to settle in Québec with the goal of working there;

  2. the applicant has at least one diploma from a secondary education institution or a diploma from Vocational Studies.

  3. the applicant has the proper training and occupational skills that will facilitate his or her integration into the Quebec job market.

A validated job offer in Quebec is important, however not necessary if you possess experience in a specific area of training (Immigration Quebec) so long as you meet the required points from the selection factors.

Selection Factors:

In order to qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC), an individual applicant must attain a score of at least 55 based on a number of selection factors. If the applicant has a spouse, common law or conjugal partner, the applicant must at least score 63 points. The following Selection Factors are taken into account when assessing an applicant:

Factors Points
1. Level of Education Maximum of 12 points [Must at least have 2 pts]
2. Training Maximum of 16 points [Must at least have 6 pts]
3. Validated Employment Offer Maximum of 10 points
4. Work Experience Maximum of 8 points
5. Stay and Family in Quebec Maximum of 8 points
6. Language Proficiency Maximum of 22 points
7. Age Maximum of 16 points
8. Characteristics of Spouse Maximum of 16 points
9. Children Maximum of 8 points
10. Financial Self-Sufficiency Maximum of 1 point
11. Adaptability Maximum of 6 points

Language Proficiency

**The Language Proficiency factor takes into account the applicant’s knowledge of French and English. Up to 16 points can be awarded for proficiency in French, while only a maximum of 6 points can be awarded for knowledge of English.

Process, Time, and Fees

If the applicant is successful in his or her application, the province will issue that applicant a Quebec Selection Certificate. Once having received the QSC, the applicant must then apply to the Canadian federal government in order to be issued their permanent resident status. The federal government is responsible for the applicant’s medical and security examinations.

Processing times vary depending on the many Canadian immigration visa offices around the world.

Processing fees charged by the province of Quebec has recently risen with the influx of applications over the past few years. The principal applicant must pay a fee of $750, plus an additional $160 for his or her spouse, and $160 for each dependant child.

*IMPORTANT: Following a recent decision from the Government of Quebec, the province of Quebec will only accept skilled worker applications where the applicant meets one of the following situations: 

  • You temporarily reside in Québec as a temporary worker. You meet the eligibility conditions of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (Temporary worker) (PEQ – Québec experience program for temporary workers) or are eligible to apply for a selection certificate under the regular program for skilled workers.

  • You have obtained a diploma awarded by a Québec teaching institution for studies done in Québec or you are about to obtain that diploma and you meet the eligibility conditions of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (Québec Graduate) (PEQ – Québec experience program for Québec graduates).

  • You reside temporarily in Québec as a foreign student, you are eligible to apply for a selection certificate under the regular program for skilled workers and you are submitting your application in Québec.

  • You reside temporarily in Québec within the framework of a youth exchange program subject to an international agreement, such as a work holiday program. You are working full time in Québec, you are eligible to apply for a selection certificate under the regular program for skilled workers and you are submitting your application in Québec.

  • You or your accompanying spouse hold a diploma awarded by a teaching institution in an area of training allowing you to get 6, 12 or 16 points under the area of training criterion of the selection grid for skilled workers. The number of years of study required to obtain your diploma must be at least equal to the number of years required to obtain that diploma in Québec. This diploma was obtained less than five years before the date of your application. Failing that, you must have practised, on a full-time basis and for at least one year out of the five years preceding the date of your application, a profession or trade in an area related to that diploma.

  • You or your accompanying spouse hold a Québec diploma or a diploma treated as a Québec diploma that sanctions at least one year of full-time studies. This diploma was obtained less than five years before the date of your application. Failing that, you must have practised, on a full-time basis and for at least one year out of the five years preceding the date of your application, a profession or trade in an area related to that diploma.

  • You or your accompanying spouse hold an employment offer made by a Québec employer and validated by the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles.

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada informed you that your application for permanent residence in Canada was admissible for processing.

  • You reside temporarily in Québec, you were a Canadian citizen at one time and you are submitting you application in Québec.

If none of these situations applies to you, you cannot submit an application until July 31, 2013