Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW)
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) is one of several immigration programs operated by the province of Quebec. QSW targets candidates who have skilled work experience and will be able to make lasting contributions to Quebec’s economy as members of the workforce. Notably, QSW does not require applicants to show proficiency in French, making the program attractive to English speakers who wish to reside in Quebec.
All QSW candidates must demonstrate that they meet the minimum required score on the QSW points assessment grid. This points grid will also be used to rank candidates’ Expressions of Interest (EOIs) along with other criteria. Only the most competitive will be invited to apply.
As with all of Quebec’s immigration pathways, this program allows applicants to apply 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.
Important Update
In August 2018, Quebec announced an important change to the QSW program. QSW introduced an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for ranking and selecting candidates based on the QSW points grid. Prior to this date, the program operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Quebec Skilled Worker - How to Apply
Candidates who wish to apply for a CSQ through QSW must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). All candidates will be ranked against one another using the QSW points grid along with other criteria. Only the most competitive applicants will be selected to apply for a CSQ.
Quebec Skilled Worker: Program Requirements
In order to submit an application for the Quebec Skilled Worker program, international applicants must meet the minimum required points on the QSW points assessment grid. While there are no minimum eligibility requirements for education, work experience, or language proficiency, each of these factors will contribute to your total score.
Quebec Skilled Worker International: Application Procedure
QSW uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to select applicants. All interested candidates must submit an EOI using the QSW portal, Arrima. Candidates will be assigned a score based on the QSW points grid along with other criteria. Only those with the most competitive profiles will be invited to submit an application for a CSQ.
If a person is invited to submit a CSQ application, their application will be submitted through Immigration Quebec’s online portal. Interested applicants must monitor the website of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI) for information about program updates and issuance of invitations to apply.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| With spouse | Without 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 |
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