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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), or the Quebec Experience Program — PEQ.

Quebec's Expression of Interest System

Quebec's introduced an Expression of Interest System in 2018 as part of the province's efforts to streamline the processing of QSWP applications. Under this system, individuals interested in immigrating to the province through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program must first create an Expression of Interest profile .

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. A single (unmarried) applicant must score at least 50 points based on this system, while an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must score at least 59 points.

Selection Factors

The Quebec Immigration selection factors may be summarized as follows:

Factors	Points
Education	Up to 14 points (Cutoff Score = 2 points)
Area Of Training	Up to 12 points
Validated Employment Offer	Up to 14 points
Work Experience	Up to 8 points
Age	Up to 16 points
Language Proficiency	Up to 22 points
Stay And Family In Quebec	Up to 8 points
Spouse/Common-law partner Characteristics	Up to 17 points
Presence Of Accompanying Children	Up to 8 points
Financial Self-Sufficiency	1 point

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

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.

Processing Fees

Processing fees for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program for 2019 are as follows:

Applicant	Fees
Principal Applicant	CAD $798
Spouse, de facto spouse	CAD $171
Each dependant child	CAD $171

Check your eligibility free

FAQ

1What is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)?

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a program for economic immigration candidates who intend to settle in the province of Quebec. Quebec's Ministère de l'immigration, de la francisation et de l'intégration (MIFI) invites candidates to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ) based on their Expression of Interest profile, which details their age, education, work experience, proficiency in French, among other factors.

2What is an Expression of Interest?

Under the revised Quebec immigration system, as a first step, foreign national who want to immigrate to Québec under the QSWP must first express their interest by filling out an online Expression of Interest form through the Portal. On this form, individuals must provide information regarding their area of training, educational level, language skills and work experience, as well as additional information. The Ministère periodically invites individuals from the Expression of Interest bank who meet certain criteria, focusing mainly on labour market needs in the various regions of Québec. Having a validated job offer is one of the criteria taken into consideration.

3What is a Quebec Selection Certificate?

A CSQ is the document issued to successful applicants to Quebec immigration programs to show that they have been selected for immigration to Quebec. With a CSQ, a candidate can apply to the Federal government for permanent residence. The CSQ is not a permanent residence visa and cannot be utilized for entry into Canada.

4How long does it take to obtain a CSQ?

Processing times vary according to the applicant’s country of residence and are liable to change.. It is important to note that the processing times at the federal stage are not included in this estimate.

5What are the eligibility criteria for the QSWP?

The QSWP operates on a points-based system, in which candidates must meet a points threshold to be eligible. This threshold is determined by a candidate’s family situation – single applicants must obtain 50 points, while applicants including their spouse or common-law partner on their application must obtain 59 points. Points are granted for education, work experience, languages knowledge, family situation, and other criteria. For more information on points calculation, please click here.

6If an applicant does not speak French, can he or she still obtain a CSQ?

Possibly. The selection is done on a points-based assessment. If a candidate meets the selection points requirements without speaking French, he or she may still be granted the CSQ. To find out if you are eligible

7Are there any government fees?

Government processing fees for 2019 can be reviewed in the table below.

Applicant	Fees
Principal Applicant	CAD $798
Spouse, de facto spouse	CAD $171
Each dependant child	CAD $171

8Is an educational credential assessment accepted as proof of education history?

No. While other immigration programs accept educational credential assessments such as World Education Services (WES) to prove diploma equivalency, the MIFI does not recognize these credential assessments. Certified true copies of diplomas and transcripts are currently the required documents to prove an applicant’s educational credentials.

9Does an applicant have to provide proof of English language knowledge?

Possibly. The selection is done on a points-based assessment. If a candidate meets the selection points requirements without providing results of an IELTS English test, he or she may still be granted the CSQ.

10Does an applicant’s spouse have to be included on the application?

No. An applicant who is married or in a common-law relationship can submit an application as a single applicant. The spouse would then be declared on the application as non-accompanying. However, if the principal applicant intends to include children on his or her application, parental permission is required from the non-accompanying spouse.

11 Does an applicant first have to be in the Express Entry pool in order to make an application for a CSQ under the QSW Program?

No. The process of immigration to Quebec exists outside the federal Express Entry immigration selection system.

12. How is immigrating to Quebec different from immigrating to the rest of Canada?

Quebec is responsible for selecting immigrants to settle within the province. In order to immigrate to Quebec, candidates must first obtain a CSQ. It is important to note that a CSQ is not a Permanent Residence Visa. Once an application for a CSQ is submitted, candidates’ qualifications are assessed at the provincial level. After receiving approval at the provincial level (in the form of the CSQ), the candidate must submit an application at the federal level for medical and security checks. After a candidate is approved at the federal level, he or she receives permanent residence.

Quebec Immigration – Skilled Worker Program