Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) 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.
Overview
- How to Apply
- Arrima
- Quebec Regular Skilled Worker processing time
- Regular Skilled Worker fees
- Is French required for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program?
Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points
- Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points systems
- Selection Factors – RSWP Points Grid
- Arrima EOI Points Grid
- Recent Draws Using the Arrima Portal
Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program - How to Apply
All RSWP candidates must demonstrate that they meet the minimum required score on the RSWP points assessment grid. If you have sufficient RSWP 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 Regular Skilled Worker (RSWP) program. Candidates who want to apply to RSWP 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.
Quebec Regular Skilled Worker processing time
There are two processing times to consider for your Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program: the processing time for the CSQ and for the Canadian permanent residence application. Both of these processing times are subject to change. The most up-to-date processing times can be found on the government website.
Regular Skilled Worker fees
When immigrating through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), candidates must pay for both the CSQ application, and federal permanent residence application. Please see the most up to date CSQ fees below. Note that they are updated every year.
| Applicant | Processing fee in $ CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $844 |
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner | Add $181 |
| A dependent child under the age of 22 or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition | Add $181 per dependent |
| Last updated May 4, 2022 |
Is French required for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program?
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.
French language proficiency does, however, factor into your eligibility points and ranking in the Arrima pool. For this reason, it is helpful to have some proficiency in French to increase your chances with the program.
Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points systems
Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program uses two points systems: one to determine who is eligible to submit an Arrima profile, and one to determine who is invited to apply for permanent selection. If a candidate meets the minimum points requirement to submit an Arrima profile, they will receive another score. Quebec uses this score to rank candidates against each other and can be used to determine who receives an invitation to apply for a CSQ.
Selection Factors - QSW Points Grid
In order to submit a profile to the Arrima portal under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program, 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
Arrima Expression of Interest Points Grid
Once you have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Arrima portal, you are given a score that helps to determine your ranking against other candidates.
Quebec then holds regular Arrima draws, in which they invite candidates to apply for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate). In these draws, Quebec will sometimes target a minimum EOI score to determine who receives an invitation.
Quebec uses the below points grid to determine RSWP candidates’ score.
| Factor | Maximum Points | Maximum Points |
|---|---|---|
| Without spouse | With spouse | |
| Education | 90 | 70 |
| Quebec Education | 50 | 50 |
| Age | 130 | 110 |
| French Proficiency | 180 | 180 |
| French & English Proficiency | 80 | 80 |
| Accompanying Spouse Factors | 40 | 40 |
| Response to Quebec's needs | 100 | 100 |
Spouse factors
| Accompanying Spouse Factors | Points |
|---|---|
| Level of Education | |
| General secondary | 1 |
| Professional secondary | 6 |
| General post-secondary 2 years | 4 |
| Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years | 7 |
| Technical post-secondary 3 years | 9 |
| University undergraduate 1 year | 5 |
| University undergraduate 2 years | 8 |
| University undergraduate 3 years or more | 10 |
| University graduate 1 or more years | 10 |
| University post-graduate | 10 |
| Quebec Education | |
| General secondary | 1 |
| Professional secondary | 6 |
| General post-secondary 2 years | 4 |
| Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years | 7 |
| Technical post-secondary 3 years | 9 |
| University undergraduate 1 year | 5 |
| University undergraduate 2 years | 8 |
| University undergraduate 3 years or more | 10 |
| University graduate 1 or more years | 10 |
| University post-graduate | 10 |
| French-language Proficiency | |
| Proficiency | Points |
| Reading | |
| 1 to 4 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 9 |
| 7 or 8 | 15 |
| 9 or 10 | 18 |
| 11 or 12 | 20 |
| Writing | |
| 1 to 4 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 9 |
| 7 or 8 | 15 |
| 9 or 10 | 18 |
| 11 or 12 | 20 |
Response to Quebec's needs
| Diagnostic | Length of work experience | Foreign national |
|---|---|---|
| Profession assessed in equilibrium or without diagnosis | Less than 12 months | 0 |
| 12 months or more | 30 | |
| Profession assessed in slight shortage | Less than 12 months | 0 |
| 12 to 23 months | 60 | |
| 24 to 35 months | 70 | |
| 36 months and over | 90 | |
| Profession assessed in shortage | Less than 12 months | 0 |
| 12 to 23 months | 70 | |
| 24 to 35 months | 90 | |
| 36 months and over | 100 | |
| Maximum | 100 | |
French Proficiency
| French Proficiency | Points |
|---|---|
| Listening | |
| 1 to 4 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 32 |
| 7 or 8 | 53 |
| 9 or 10 | 63 |
| 11 or 12 | 70 |
| Speaking | |
| 1 to 4 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 32 |
| 7 or 8 | 53 |
| 9 or 10 | 63 |
| 11 or 12 | 70 |
| Reading | |
| 1 to 4 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 9 |
| 7 or 8 | 15 |
| 9 or 10 | 18 |
| 11 or 12 | 20 |
| Writing | |
| 1 to 4 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 9 |
| 7 or 8 | 15 |
| 9 or 10 | 18 |
| 11 or 12 | 20 |
| Maximum | 180 |
Proficiency in French & English
| French level | English CLB Level | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 1 to 12 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 5 to 8 | 25 |
| 7 or 8 | 9 to 12 | 50 |
| 9 or 10 | 5 to 8 | 50 |
| 9 or 10 | 9 to 12 | 67 |
| 11 or 12 | 5 to 8 | 67 |
| 11 or 12 | 9 to 12 | 80 |
| Maximum | 80 |
Education
| Education | Points | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| General secondary | 18 | 14 |
| Professional secondary | 54 | 42 |
| General post-secondary 2 years | 36 | 28 |
| Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years | 63 | 49 |
| Technical post-secondary 3 years | 81 | 63 |
| University undergraduate 1 year | 45 | 35 |
| University undergraduate 2 years | 72 | 56 |
| University undergraduate 3 years or more | 83 | 65 |
| University graduate 1 or more years | 86 | 68 |
| Univeristy post-graduate | 90 | 0 |
| Maximum | 90 | 68 |
Age
| Age | Points | Points with Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 30 years old | 130 | 110 |
| 31 years old | 118 | 100 |
| 32 years old | 112 | 95 |
| 33 years old | 107 | 91 |
| 34 years old | 100 | 85 |
| 35 years old | 95 | 80 |
| 36 years old | 85 | 72 |
| 37 years old | 78 | 66 |
| 38 years old | 72 | 61 |
| 39 years old | 65 | 55 |
| 40 years old | 59 | 50 |
| 41 years old | 46 | 39 |
| 42 years old | 33 | 28 |
| 43 years old | 20 | 17 |
| 44 years old | 7 | 6 |
| 45 years old or more | 0 | 0 |
| Maximum | 130 | 110 |
Recent Draws Using the Arrima Portal
| Invitation Date | Number of Invitations | Selected Applicants Met the Following Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2022 | 30 | - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| April 7, 2022 | 33 | - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| March 10, 2022 | 506 | - They had work experience in one of 20 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 592 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| February 24, 2022 | 306 | - They had a score equal to or higher than 630 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| February 10, 2022 | 523 | - They had work experience in one of 21 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 592 points |
| January 27, 2022 | 322 | - They had a score equal to or higher than 647 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| January 13, 2022 | 512 | - They had work experience in one of 23 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 602 points |
| December 9, 2021 | 326 | - They had work experience in one of 30 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 633 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| November 11, 2021 | 32 | - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| October 21, 2021 | 22 | - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| September 30, 2021 | 536 | - They had work experience in one of 6 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 562 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community - Persons referred to section 26 of the Québec Immigration Regulation (CQLR, chapter I-0.2.2, r.3) |
| September 2, 2021 | 517 | - They had work experience in one of 17 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 499 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| August 26, 2021 | 585 | - They had work experience in one of 17 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 517 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community |
| August 19, 2021 | 502 | - They had work experience in one of 17 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 548 points |
| August 12, 2021 | 515 | - They had work experience in one of 17 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 591 points - They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community - Persons referred to section 26 of the Québec Immigration Regulation (CQLR, chapter I-0.2.2, r.3) - Persons referred to in section 47 of the Québec Immigration Act (CQLR, chapter I-0.2.2) |
| June 17, 2021 | 69 | - They had a validated offer of employment |
| May 27, 2021 | 90 | - 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) |
| April 29, 2021 | 83 | - 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) |
| March 30, 2021 | 208 | - 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) |
| January 26, 2021 | 95 | - 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) |
| December 16, 2020 | 233 | - 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 24, 2020 | 365 | - 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) - Persons mentioned in section 47 of the Québec Immigration Act (CQRL, chapter I-0.2.1) |
| June 18, 2020 | 7 | - 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 they were in one of the following situations: - 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). |
| 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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