Quebec Skilled Workers

Note: As of April 1, 2014, new rules will be adopted in regards to the maximum number of applications for a Certificat de sélection du Québec to be submitted by permanent workers, investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers that will be received by the Ministère. The new rules will be in effect from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015. These rules do not in any way reflect a change in Quebec’s immigrations objectives. Rather, limiting the number of applications to be received will allow the  Ministère to process a greater number of pending applications and therefore reducing processing times.

Quebec Skilled Worker/Professional applicants who anticipate on residing in Quebec are selected based on a different set of criteria than those who apply to settle elsewhere in Canada and will therefore not be assessed based on the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Those who are eligible under the Quebec Immigration selection systems will be issued a Quebec Selection Certificate. To qualify, applicants must score enough posed based on the Quebec Immigration selection system below:

Single applicants must score a minimum of 49 points based on the criteria below. An applicant with a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner must score a minimum of 57 points. Up to 6 points may be given for adaptability based on an interview session. If these points are rewarded, a single applicant must score a minimum of 55 points and an applicant with a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner must score at least 63 points.  Once the Certificate of Selection of Quebec (CSQ) has been issued, applicants must successfully undergo medical and security examinations conducted by the Federal government to be fully eligible for a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa.

Quebec Experience Class Immigration Program (PEQ)

Similar to the Canadian Experience Class, a Federal Program, temporary foreign workers or foreign students who have graduated in Quebec are ideal candidates for permanent residency and may make a successful transition from their temporary placement. Those who fall under this category are likely to have already settled into Quebec through the province’s education system and work experience.

There are 2 types of candidates who are able to apply for Canadian permanent residency under the Quebec Experience Class (PEQ):

PEQ – Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary foreign workers include those who are currently employed, have held a skilled occupation in Quebec for 12 of the past 24 months and have general knowledge of spoken French.

At the time of the application, there are conditions that the applicant must satisfy in order to be eligibly classified as a temporary worker under the Quebec Experience Program. They include the following:

• Must be 18 years of age;
• Reside in Quebec as a temporary worker or enrolled in a youth exchange program to gain legal status as a temporary resident;
• Possess a paid full-time occupation that is classified as greater than the level “C” under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) and must have occupied one or more positions of this same nature for a minimum of 12 of the last 24 months;
• Meet the terms of the applicable stays as a temporary worker;
• Must have gained an intermediate level of fluency in oral French;
• Have the ability to provide and support the needs of you and (if applicable) your spouse/de facto spouse or dependants included in your application for at least 3 months from the date you have been issued a permanent resident status.

PEQ – Quebec International Graduates

This particular program is intended for those who have a general working knowledge of oral French and have already obtained an eligible Quebec diploma or are currently in the process of doing so.

Prior to application, a Quebec graduate or prospective graduate must comply with the following criteria in order to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate under the Quebec Experience Program:

• Must be 18 years of age and intend to settle in Quebec with the objective of seeking employment;
• Have acquired a Quebec diploma eligible under the PEQ or anticipate completion of a study program within 6 months of the application date;
• Comply with the conditions of your stay as an international student;
• Must have gained an intermediate level of fluency in oral French;
• Have the ability to provide and support the needs of you and (if applicable) your spouse/de facto spouse or dependants included in your application for at least 3 months from the date you have been issued a permanent resident status

Candidates are NOT eligible for the PEQ if:

• You currently hold a bursary that contains a clause requiring you to return to your country, unless this condition has already been fulfilled;
• You have recently started a new study program located in Quebec

The Quebec Experience Program does not use a point system to determine an applicant’s eligibility. Rather, eligibility is based on a pass or fail scheme. Provided that the applicant meets all minimum requirements, he or she is authorized to receive the Quebec Selection Certificate.

Citizen and Immigration Canada recognize the selection of applicants who fulfil the Quebec immigration selection criteria. Please also note that applicants, as well as their dependants, are subject to medical examination and security clearances as part of the Canadian immigration process.

To find out about your eligibility, please contact one of our immigration specialists.

• Phone: +1 (604) 636 – 4618
• Email: info@wbiimigration.com
• or  take a Free Online Assessment through our website, we will contact you within 24 hours upon your request!