Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW)
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) is an immigration program operated by the province of Quebec for candidates who have skilled work experience and will be able to make lasting contributions to Quebec’s economy as members of the workforce.
Although the official language of Quebec is French, QSW does not require applicants to show proficiency in French, making the program attractive to English speakers who wish to reside in Quebec.
Quebec Skilled Worker - How to Apply
All QSW candidates must demonstrate that they meet the minimum required score on the QSW points assessment grid. If you have sufficient QSW points, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima online portal to be considered for the program. The Quebec government will then invite some candidates to submit a complete application for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate).
Upon receiving a CSQ, an applicant becomes eligible to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.
Arrima Online Portal
The Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, Francisation et Integration (MIFI) launched the Arrima online portal to manage applications to the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. Candidates who want to apply to QSW must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form online, which contains information regarding the candidate’s language proficiency, work experience, field of training, and education.
MIFI will select candidates from this pool to submit an application for a CSQ, however they have not yet confirmed how they will determine which candidates to invite. Upon receiving an invitation to apply to the program, candidates will have a limited amount of time to submit their complete application.
Applications for a CSQ submitted through the Arrima portal are expected to be processed within 6 months.
Selection Factors - QSW Points Grid
In order to submit to the Quebec Skilled Worker program for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate), applicants must meet the minimum required scores on the eligibility points grid below. Please note that points for education are awarded based on the applicant’s area of study. Applicants applying without a spouse or common-law partner must reach a minimum of 43 points on the employability factors and 50 points total. Applicants applying with a spouse or common-law partner must reach a minimum of 52 points on the employability factors and 59 points total.
| Factor | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Without spouse | With spouse | |
| Education | 26 | 26 |
| Experience | 8 | 8 |
| Age | 16 | 16 |
| Language Proficiency | 22 | 22 |
| Connection to Quebec | 8 | 8 |
| Accompanying Spouse Factors | 17 | 17 |
| Valid Job Offer | 14 | 14 |
| Employability Eligibility Score | 43 | 52 |
| Children | 8 | 8 |
| Capacity for financial autonomy (eliminatory) | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum Eligiblity Score | 50 | 59 |
Factor 1: Education
| Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Level of Education | |
| General secondary | 2 |
| Professional secondary | 6 |
| General post-secondary 2 years | 4 |
| Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years | 6 |
| Technical post-secondary 3 years | 8 |
| University undergraduate 1 year | 4 |
| University undergraduate 2 years | 6 |
| University undergraduate 3 years or more | 10 |
| University graduate 1 or more years | 12 |
| Univeristy post-graduate | 14 |
| Area of Training | |
| Section A | 12 |
| Section B | 9 |
| Section C | 6 |
| Section D | 2 |
| Section E | 0 |
| Maximum | 26 |
Factor 2: Experience
| Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| Length of skilled work experience | |
| Less than 6 months | 0 |
| 6 months to 11 months | 4 |
| 12 months to 23 months | 4 |
| 24 months to 35 months | 6 |
| 36 months to 47 months | 6 |
| 48 months or more | 8 |
| Maximum | 8 |
Factor 3: Age
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| 18 to 35 years | 16 |
| 36 years | 14 |
| 37 years | 12 |
| 38 years | 10 |
| 39 years | 8 |
| 40 years | 6 |
| 41 years | 4 |
| 42 years | 2 |
| 43 years or more | 0 |
| Maximum | 16 |
Factor 4: Language Proficiency
| Language Proficiency - Principal Applicant | Points |
|---|---|
| French | |
| Listening and Speaking | |
| C2 | 7 |
| C1 | 6 |
| B2 | 5 |
| B1, A2, A1, or less than A1 | 0 |
| Reading and Writing | |
| C2 or C1 | 1 |
| B2, B1, A2, A1, or less than A1 | 0 |
| English | |
| Listening and Speaking | |
| CLB 9 | 2 |
| CLB 5 | 1 |
| Reading and Writing | |
| CLB 5 | 1 |
| Maximum | 22 |
Factor 5: Connection to Quebec
| Connection to Quebec | Points |
|---|---|
| Trips to Quebec | |
| Study in Quebec for one full-time semester | 0 |
| Study in Quebec for two full-time semesters | 0 |
| Study in Quebec leading to a DEP/AEC of 900 to 1800 hours AND full-time work experience related to the field of study within the 6 months following the period of study | 5 |
| Study in Quebec leading to a DEP/AEC of 1800 hours or more, or a DEC, or university degree or diploma | 5 |
| 6 months of full-time work experience in Quebec while holding a work permit valid for at least one year | 5 |
| Work experience in Quebec for less than 6 months | 0 |
| Working holiday participant 3 months or more | 0 |
| Other trips 3 months or more | 2 |
| Other trips (2 weeks to less than 3 months) | 1 |
| Other trips less than 2 weeks in length | 0 |
| Family in Quebec | |
| Spouse, Parent, Sibling, Child, Grandparent | 3 |
| Maximum | 8 |
Factor 6: Accompanying Spouse Factors
| Accompanying Spouse Factors | Points |
|---|---|
| Level of Education | |
| General secondary | 1 |
| Professional secondary | 2 |
| General post-secondary 2 years | 1 |
| Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years | 2 |
| Technical post-secondary 3 years | 3 |
| University undergraduate 1 year | 1 |
| University undergraduate 2 years | 2 |
| University undergraduate 3 years or more | 3 |
| University graduate 1 or more years | 4 |
| University post-graduate | 4 |
| Area of Training | |
| Section A | 4 |
| Section B | 3 |
| Section C | 2 |
| Section D | 1 |
| Section E | 0 |
| Age | |
| less than 18 years | 0 |
| 18 to 35 years | 3 |
| 36 years | 2 |
| 37 years | 2 |
| 38 years | 2 |
| 39 years | 2 |
| 40 years | 1 |
| 41 years | 1 |
| 42 years | 1 |
| 43 years or more | 0 |
| French-language Proficiency | |
| Oral comprehension | 0, 2, or 3 |
| Spoken French | 0, 2, or 3 |
| Maximum | 17 |
Factor 7: Valid Job Offer
| Valid Job Offer | Points |
|---|---|
| Valid job offer in Montreal Metropolitan Region | 8 |
| Valid Job Offer outside Montreal, by region | |
| • Capitale-Nationale • Chaudière-Appalaches • Montérégie | 14 |
| • Abitibi-Témaniscamingue • Centre-du Québec • Estrie • Lanaudière • Outaoais | 13 |
| • Bas-Saint-Laurent • Côte-Nord • Laurentides • Mauricie • Nord-du-Québec • Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean | 12 |
| • Gaspésie | 10 |
| Maximum | 14 |
Factor 8: Children
| Children | Points par enfant |
|---|---|
| 12 years or less | 4 |
| 13 to 21 years | 2 |
| Maximum | 8 |
Area of Training
Recent Draws Using the Arrima Portal
| Invitation Date | Number of Invitations | Selected Applicants Met the Following Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| January 16, 2020 | 23 | -Their application for selection submitted under the Regular Skilled Worker Program was finalized, pursuant to Section 28 of the Act -They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019 -Their application, which was finalized under the Act, was submitted to the Minister under Section 5.01 of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals (CQLR, chapter I-0.2, r. 4) or they were staying in Québec on June 16, 2019 while they held a study or work permit issued pursuant to Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227). |
| December 17, 2019 | 220 | -Their application for selection submitted under the Regular Skilled Worker Program was finalized, pursuant to Section 28 of the Act -They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019 -Their application, which was finalized under the Act, was submitted to the Minister under Section 5.01 of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals (CQLR, chapter I-0.2, r. 4) or they were staying in Québec on June 16, 2019 while they held a study or work permit issued pursuant to Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227). |
| December 12, 2019 | 85 | -They had a validated offer of employment -Persons mentioned in Section 26 of the Québec Immigration Regulation (CQLR, chapter I-0.2.1, r. 3). |
| September 25, 2019 | 169 | -Their Application under the Regular Skilled Worker Program was finalized, -Filed an Expression of Interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019, and -Application was submitted under Section 5.01 of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals, or applicants were staying in Quebec on June 16, 2019 holding a study or work permit. |
| September 4, 2019 | 32 | -Hold a validated offer of employment -Foreign nationals staying in Quebec as a diplomat, consular officer, representative or official of a foreign country |
| August 19, 2019 | 444 | -Their Application under the Regular Skilled Worker Program was finalized, -Filed an Expression of Interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019, and -Application was submitted under Section 5.01 of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals, or applicants were staying in Quebec on June 16, 2019 holding a study or work permit. |
| July 17, 2019 | 259 | -Hold a validated offer of employment -Foreign nationals staying in Quebec as a diplomat, consular officer, representative or official of a foreign country |
| July 4, 2019 | 691 | -Their Application under the Regular Skilled Worker Program was finalized, -Filed an Expression of Interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019, and -Application was submitted under Section 5.01 of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals, or applicants were staying in Quebec on June 16, 2019 holding a study or work permit. |
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