When compared to the rest of Canada, Quebec has much more authority when it comes to immigration and related policies. The province of Quebec also has a unique status in the country and hence has much more authority to make provisions that safeguard the distinct culture and language of the area. The province is very different from the country as the majority of the speakers are French speakers.
As a result, Quebec has its immigration ministry and hence, its skilled workers, study permit, experience class, and other work permit-related programs for immigration. The hiring process for employers is very different than to what it is in the rest of the country.
Now if you want to come to Quebec, the program that would be best suited for you would be the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) developed by the Government of Quebec and the Canadian Federal Government.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
As the name suggests, this program allows skilled workers and highly qualified graduates from foreign nations to immigrate to Quebec as skilled workers. If a person applies for this program, they are evaluated according to some important factors and are given a score (point system). The people with the highest scores are given a Certificat de Selection du Quebec (CSQ), which later can be used for applying for PR in Canada.
This program was initiated to invite skilled workers to the province of Quebec and provide them an unconditional PR in the same province. People who wish to live and work in Quebec permanently should choose this option. Although you can live, work, and study in any city you want in Canada, people who wish to live somewhere else in the country should apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Only genuine entrants who intend to live in Quebec indefinitely will be allowed through QSWP.
The most important and difficult part of the QSWP is clearing and fulfilling the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
Level of Education | Points |
General high school diploma | 2 |
Vocational high school diploma | 6 |
General postsecondary school diploma (2 years full-time) | 4 |
Technical postsecondary school diploma (1 or 2 years full-time) | 6 |
Technical postsecondary school diploma (3 years full-time) | 8 |
Technical postsecondary school diploma in section A or B training area (1 or 2 years full-time) | 10 |
Undergraduate degree (1+ years full-time) | 4 |
Undergraduate degree (2+ years full-time) | 6 |
Undergraduate degree (3+ years full-time) | 10 |
Master’s degree | 12 |
Doctorate Degree or Ph.D. | 14 |
Areas of Training
Area of training takes care of the professional training the workers might have that Quebec is lacking. The higher the demand for job prospects that particular professional training in Quebec, the higher will be the points awarded. The areas are divided into sections and points are given based on these sections. The list fr the same is provided here.
Section | Points |
A | 12 |
B | 9 |
C | 6 |
D | 2 |
E | 0 |
F | 0 |
G | 0 |
Factor 2- Work Experience
Experience counts both paid and unpaid jobs. The work experience must be of the last 5 years preceding the date of application. A maximum of 8 points can be scored in this section. Unpaid jobs/ internships must be a part of a professional course or degree/diploma. The work experience must be relevant to the skills you possess and past education. You must show that the work experience will be beneficiary to the Quebec province and will add a lot to their human capital resources.
Work experience (in years) | Points |
Less than 6 months | 0 |
6 months to 1 year | 4 |
1 year to 2 years | 4 |
2-3 years | 6 |
3-4 years | 6 |
More than 4 years | 8 |
Factor 3- Age
Age plays a major role when it comes to total points. Just like the other provinces’ systems, Quebec also wants to allow people who are in their prime or are highly skilled and about to head in their prime. They want people who will stay longer and have longer careers in Quebec. The maximum number of points one can score is 16. The points are distributed in the following way.
Age (In years) | Points |
18-35 | 16 |
36 | 14 |
37 | 12 |
38 | 10 |
39 | 8 |
40 | 6 |
41 | 4 |
42 | 2 |
43+ | 0 |
Factor 4- Language Proficiency
Although you have the option to prove your language proficiency in either french or english. But a huge weightage is given to French as the province is majorly filled up with francophones. You can score a maximum of 22 points in this section, a maximum of 16 in French, and 6 points in English.
One can prove proficiency in English and French through evaluation tests and diplomas that can be acquired from the Centre international d’études pédagogiques (CIEP). The only option available for the english language proficiency test is IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
One can prove their French language proficiency through the following
CIEP: Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
CIEP: Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCFQ)
CIEP: Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
CIEP: Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
CCIP-IDF: Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
CCIP-IDF: Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
CCIP-IDF: Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
The point system depends on the your proficiency in all 4 sections of a language proficicney test,ie., listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Through French language proficiency, a person can score
Reading: 0-1 point Writing: 0-1 point Listening: 0-7 points Speaking: 0-7 points
Through English Language proficiency, a person can score
Reading: 0-1 point Writing: 0-1 point Listening: 0-2 points Speaking: 0-2 points
It is a rare chance that you’d be allowed to work and live in Quebec without speaking english and french.
Factor 5- Quebec Connection
One can score a maximum of 8 points if they have family members living and working in the province of Quebec. The points are further divided into family members and visiting Quebec.
Points are given to family members who are very close, not all relations will score you a point. A maximum of 3 points can be achieved in this subcategory. The point system is as follows.
Spouse – 3 points, Sibling – 3 points, Parent – 3 points, Child – 3 points, Grandparent – 3 points, Uncle or aunt – 0 points, Nephew or niece – 0 points, and Cousin – 0 points.
When it comes to visiting, studying, or staying in Quebec, the maximum number of points allocated can be 5. The system is as follows.
Worked in Quebec for at least 3 months (includes Working Holiday Visa holders) – 5 points
Worked in Quebec for at least 6 months – 5 points
Studied in Quebec for at least 3 months – 5 points
Studied in Quebec for at least 6 months – 5 points
Stayed in Quebec (not for work or school) for more than 2 weeks – 1 point
Stayed in Quebec (not for work or school) for more than 3 months – 2 points
Visited Quebec for less than 2 weeks – 0 points
Factor 6- Characteristics of Spouse
A maximum of 17 points are avoided are provided to under these categories. These 17 points are further divided into spouses’ level of education, training area, age, and proficiency in French language oral interaction. The pointing system for married applicants with spouses is different and needs a higher score of 59 for qualification. This factor should not be treated like bonus points as it is valued differently.
Education Level of Spouse
A maximum of 4 points can be awarded through this category. The pointing system is as follows.
Level of education | Points |
General high school diploma | 1 |
Vocational high school diploma | 2 |
General postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 2 years) | 1 |
Technical postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 1 year) | 2 |
Technical postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 2 years) | 2 |
Technical postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 3 years) | 3 |
Undergraduate degree (full-time for 1+ years) | 1 |
Undergraduate degree (full-time for 2+ years) | 2 |
Undergraduate degree (full-time for 3+ years) | 3 |
Master’s degree | 4 |
Doctorate | 4 |
Spouses’ area of training
Just like the main applicant, the training area of a spouse is also measured in the similar system. The maximum number of points that can be allocated is 4.
Section | Points |
A | 4 |
B | 3 |
C | 2 |
D | 1 |
E | 0 |
F | 0 |
G | 0 |
Spouses’ Age
The Age of the spouse also measures the points in a similar criterion as that of the main applicant. A maximum of 3 points can be secured in this subcategory.
Age (In years) | Points |
18-35 | 3 |
36-39 | 2 |
40-42 | 1 |
43+ | 0 |
Spouse’s French Language Proficiency
In similar forms, the points in each section of the proficiency evaluation are awarded as follows. A maximum of 6 points are awarded to the spouse in this category,
Reading: 0 Writing: 0 Listening: 3 points Speaking: 3 points
Factor 7- Job Offer
If you have a VALIDATED permanent job/employment offer from an employer in Quebec, you can be awarded a maximum of 0 points for this. 8 points are awarded for having a job offer in the Montreal area. 10 points are awarded for having a job offer in areas outside of Montreal.
Factor 8- Accompanying Children
Candidates under this program who wish to bring their children are awarded points in the following manner. The maximum you can get is 8 points.
Children Age (In years) | Points per child |
Under 13 | 4 |
13- 19 | 2 |
Factor 9- Financial sufficiency
You can score an additional 1 point in this category, but this 1 point is the most important. Quebec authorities want proof of your financial sufficiency so that you can show them that you have enough funds with you to survive in Quebec. If you have family members, you need to provide proof of their financial sufficiency as well. Not having enough funds will give you a 0 in this category and will remove you from the eligibility consideration as well. That means you MUST be financially stable enough by having a minimum amount of wealth with you to stay, work, and live in Quebec. The minimum requirements are as follows.
Family size | Minimum fund requirements |
1 adult | CAD $3,016 |
1 adult & 1 child (<18 years of age) | CAD $4,052 |
1 adult & 2 children (<18 years of age) | CAD $4,574 |
1 adult & 3 children (<18 years of age) | CAD $5,096 |
1 adult & 4+ children (<18 years of age) | Add CAD $522/child |
1 adult & 1+ children (18+ years of age) | Add CAD $1,406/child |
2 adults | CAD $4,422 |
2 adults & 1 child (<18 years of age) | CAD $4,954 |
2 adults & 2 children (<18 years of age) | CAD $5,347 |
2 adults & 3 children (<18 years of age) | CAD $5,739 |
2 adults & 4+ children (<18 years of age) | Add CAD $393/child |
2 adults & 1+ children (18+ years of age) | Add CAD $1,406/child |
The eligibility requirements can change anytime and any year, depending on skills demand and availability. To not miss any other updates on Quebec immigration follow Beyond Immigration.
How to Apply for QSWP?
The process is generally considered very complex and difficult to understand for many people. It’s better to let professional agents carry this step out. But the process is as follows.
Step 1
Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) for permanent immigration to Arrima online portal. This process allows the government to filter out candidates and proceed with only genuine candidates.
Step 2
If accepted by the government, your profile will then be put in a pool for regular draws. If your profile is selected in a draw, you will be sent an Invitation to Apply by the Quebec Government. The draw requirements and the specific skill targets change every year as well.
Step 3
Invited candidates then must prepare an account at Mon projet Québec and submit all the necessary documents to complete the application. You have 90 days to complete your application and receive Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC) from the minister.
Not everyone with cut-off scores will be invited to apply.
Processing Fee
Main Applicant: CAD $844
Spouse or Common-Law Partner: CAD $181
Dependent Child: CAD $181
Quebec surely is a very different case when it comes to immigration in Canada. The policies and provisions are completely different and they too keep on changing from time to time. If you wish to learn more about Quebec immigration, feel free to contact us at Beyond Immigration.