About the Canadian province of Quebec

Quebec is Known as “la belle province” (the beautiful province) to its locals, Quebec is Canada’s largest province and home to more than 8.2 million people. Quebec is a vibrant multicultural province, often earning it recognition as the “Europe of North America”. Quebec is also famous for its vast forests, rolling hills and countless waterways. In fact, Quebec has approximately 1 million lakes and waterways, giving it more fresh water.

Quebec is the only province whose official language is French. The capital city is Quebec and Canada’s second largest city. The second largest French speaking city in the world, than Montreal (more than four million people). Other major cities located in proximity to the St. Lawrence River, which links Quebec and Montreal to the Atlantic Ocean; include Hull-Gatineau (314,000), TroisRivieres (155,000), Sherbrooke (212,000), and Saguenay (160,000).

Quebec Immigration - Skilled Worker Program

The Quebec immigration selection system for Quebec Skilled Workers is designed to identify immigration candidates who are most likely to become economically established in the province.

Skilled Worker applicants who intend to reside in Montreal or in another city or region within the province of Quebec are assessed under a different system than applicants who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada.

Skilled Workers or international graduates in Quebec may apply to immigrate to Quebec under what the Government of Quebec calls its 'Regular Skilled Worker Program', also known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

Quebec's Expression of Interest System

On August 2, 2018, Quebec's new Expression of Interest System came into effect as part of the province's efforts to streamline the processing of QSWP applications. Individuals interested in applying for immigration to the province will begin the process by declaring their interest in applying to the program by entering a profile in the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank.

Quebec's Arrima portal

On September 18, 2018, Quebec's immigration ministry, the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI) began accepting expressions of interest to apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker program through the Arrima portal. All potential applicants to the QSWP must first submit an expression of interest for free by completing a profile using the Arrima portal. The Arrima portal will remain open year-round and individuals looking to immigrate to Quebec under the QSWP will be able to submit an expression of interest profile at any time.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program Eligibility

Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and can then apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will conduct a medical and criminal background check as part of its approval process.

In order to qualify for a CSQ, you must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection factors described below and meet the eligibility criteria.

Selection Factors

The Quebec Immigration selection factors may be summarized as follows:

• Factors
• Education
• Area of Training
• Validated Employment Offer
• Work Experience
• Age
• Language Proficiency
• Stay And Family In Quebec
• Spouse/Common-law partner Characteristics
• Presence of Accompanying Children
• Financial Self-Sufficiency

Many of the documents required in order to apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program must be certified true copies.

Language test results must be submitted along with immigration applications to be awarded points for language proficiency.

For more information on approved French tests, see Proving French Language Ability (Quebec Skilled Worker Program).

For more information on the approved English test, see Proving English Language Ability - International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Processing Times

Processing Times for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program vary from one Canadian Immigration Visa Office to another.

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