Quebec operates a number of different immigration programs enabling eligible candidates to secure Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has granted the province of Quebec significantly more autonomy in immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration programs are often treated separately from other provinces.
A Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) is an official document issued by the province of Quebec after a thorough evaluation of applicants to determine their eligibility to immigrate to the province. Upon receiving a CSQ, applicants must then satisfy the federal admission requirements established by the Canadian government. To successfully immigrate to Quebec, individuals must meet the eligibility criteria for both the provincial selection process and the federal admission process.
Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)
To apply for permanent residency under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) or PSTQ, applicants must demonstrate that they can contribute meaningfully to Quebec’s economy by becoming valuable members of the workforce. To evaluate eligibility, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) follows a structured process and specific criteria that all candidates must meet.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
The status of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is currently unclear. The previous Quebec government reopened the PEQ for a two-year period, from July 2, 2026, to July 2, 2028, covering both the Temporary Foreign Worker stream and the Quebec Graduates stream.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity along with the experience and intention to manage a business project in Quebec or to acquire a business in Quebec.
Quebec Self-Employed
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows certain self-employed people to immigrate to Quebec and create their own job. To qualify for this program, an applicant needs to have net assets of at least $100,000 CAD and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the field they plan to practice in Quebec.
A CAQ is different from a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which is for permanent residency. The CAQ is required by Quebec’s immigration department (MIFI) and is mandatory for students who want to study and work in Quebec.
Validated Job Offer
If a Quebec employer wishes to hire a foreign national, they may be eligible to extend the foreign national job offer which has been officially validated by MIFI. To obtain a validated job offer, the employer must provide proof of their efforts to hire a Quebec resident before hiring foreign talent. A validated job offer is a strong advantage in the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) as it gives the applicant 50 points.
Job Position Requirements:
Must be for a permanent, full-time position
Must have a positive or neutral impact on the local labour market.
Must be offered, in writing, by a Quebec employer who has been in operation for a minimum of 12 months.
Appropriate recruitment efforts must have been made to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position, if applicable (see below)
Foreign National Requirements:
Must submit copies of identification documents, educational documents, curriculum vitae (CV), and a written copy of the employment offer.
Must have a license or certificate to practice in the profession if the profession is regulated in Quebec.
If the foreign national is already working for the employer, they must submit a copy of their work permit along with three recent pay stubs.
If a foreign national is already working for a Quebec employer on a temporary work permit, the employer does not need to show proof that they attempted to recruit a Canadian or permanent resident for the position. In all other cases, the employer must show proof of recruitment efforts. This means that employers must make significant efforts to hire a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering it to a foreign national. If all requirements for the validated job offer are met, the employer may submit an application for validation to MIFI.
Quebec has more autonomy in immigration policies and procedures, and its immigration programs are treated separately from the other Canadian provinces.
The Skilled Worker Selection Program is a Quebec immigration program and is ideal for those who have skilled work experience and intend on settling in Québec permanently.
The SWSP uses two points systems. One decides if someone can create an Arrima profile, and the other decides who gets invited to apply for permanent selection. If a person gets the minimum points needed to make an Arrima profile, they receive a score. Quebec then uses that score to rank people and choose who will get an invitation to apply for a CSQ.
Invitations are based on things like your score, job market needs, targeted jobs, your level of French, and other factors.
Draws happen throughout the year depending on Quebec’s job market needs and there’s no set schedule. You can stay updated on the latest draw results here.
Arrima launched in 2018 and is an online portal designed to manage applications for Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), a new program which replaced the previous Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. Arrima operates as an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, meaning that it requires candidates to submit their interest in applying to immigrate to Quebec. The Quebec government then selects and invites eligible candidates to apply for the SWSP. Read more about Arrima Portal.
A Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) is an official document Quebec gives you after checking your application to see if you qualify to immigrate to the province.
Mon Projet Québec was the online portal used to manage applications to the previous Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program, now replaced with the SWSP or PSTQ, before the new Arrima portal was launched in 2018. Candidates with active Mon Projet Québec profiles must also still submit an Expression of Interest under Arrima to be considered for SWSP.
In 2019, MIFI replaced MIDI (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion). The difference between the two is that MIFI places greater emphasis on French language training and the successful/strategic integration of immigrants into Quebec society, whereas MIDI focused on immigration and diversity.
Recognized family members for the “Family in Québec” factor is if one or more of the following family members, given that they have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status in Québec.
Spouse or Common-law partner
Children
Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Yes, applicants can extend their work permit if they have a valid permit at the time they receive their CSQ. However, if the work permit expires before receiving the CSQ, the only way to extend their status as workers is by obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
To submit a document as per MIFI’s request, you must submit it online through your Arrima profile. Please note that if any supporting documentation is missing, it may lead to an application refusal which could delay the process by upwards of a month.
Once you get your CSQ, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residence. This process includes specific requirements such as medical exams, background checks, other eligibility requirements.
The CSQ does not authorize a person to undertake any activities like work or study. The CSQ is simply the authorization to apply for PR in Canada, specifically Quebec.
Yes, as long as you maintain valid temporary status by following the rules of your work permit or a study permit.
Yes. You can apply anytime. There’s no limit on how many applications Quebec will take. The program may change from time to time but is currently open right now.
Sponsoring a spouse in Quebec involves both federal and provincial steps and the whole process usually takes around 38 months or more. Right now, Quebec isn’t accepting any new sponsorship applications for spouses, partners, or dependent children over 18 from June 26, 2024, to June 25, 2026. You’ll have to wait until the next intake opens in 2026 to apply.
You may need to pay for certain fees such as CSQ, language tests, biometrics, and other program-specific requirements. It is important to note that fees differ depending on the program and family size.
There are many different requirements that must be met in order for your application to be approved. Common mistakes that applicants make include; missing documents, ineligibility, poor french language skills, inaccurate information and more. Make sure to contact us at Canadim to ensure you do not miss any documents and ensure the highest chance of approval.
Yes, once you resolve the issues in your application, you can apply again.
Yes, knowing french puts you at a big advantage as you will get priority in most Quebec immigration programs.
Yes, as part of Quebec’s immigration programs, you must plan to live in Quebec when you are applying otherwise you will not be accepted. However, you can decide to move later if you wish.
Quebec generally has much more affordable living costs compared to that of a popular Canadian immigration destination such as Ontario or British Columbia. Montreal, like Toronto, also has a diverse culture, great entertainment, and is the hub for jobs in healthcare, IT, engineering, and skilled trades.
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