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.

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Overview

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points

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.

ApplicantProcessing fee in $ CAD
Principal applicant$844
Spouse, common-law or conjugal partnerAdd $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 conditionAdd $181 per dependent
Last updated May 9, 2024

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.

FactorPoints
Without spouseWith spouse
Education2626
Experience88
Age1616
Language Proficiency2222
Connection to Quebec88
Accompanying Spouse Factors1717
Valid Job Offer1414
Employability Eligibility Score4352
Children88
Capacity for financial autonomy (eliminatory)11
Minimum Eligibility Score5059

Factor 1: Education

EducationPoints
Level of Education
General secondary2
Professional secondary6
General post-secondary 2 years4
Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years6
Technical post-secondary 3 years8
University undergraduate 1 year4
University undergraduate 2 years6
University undergraduate 3 years or more10
University graduate 1 or more years12
Univeristy post-graduate14
Area of Training
Section A12
Section B9
Section C6
Section D2
Section E0
Maximum26

Factor 2: Experience

ExperiencePoints
Length of skilled work experience
Less than 6 months0
6 months to 11 months4
12 months to 23 months4
24 months to 35 months6
36 months to 47 months6
48 months or more8
Maximum8

Factor 3: Age

AgePoints
18 to 35 years16
36 years14
37 years12
38 years10
39 years8
40 years6
41 years4
42 years2
43 years or more0
Maximum16

Factor 4: Language Proficiency

Language Proficiency - Principal ApplicantPoints
French
Listening and Speaking
C27
C16
B25
B1, A2, A1, or less than A10
Reading and Writing
C2 or C11
B2, B1, A2, A1, or less than A10
English
Listening and Speaking
CLB 92
CLB 51
Reading and Writing
CLB 51
Maximum22

Factor 5: Connection to Quebec

Connection to QuebecPoints
Trips to Quebec
Study in Quebec for one full-time semester0
Study in Quebec for two full-time semesters0
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 study5
Study in Quebec leading to a DEP/AEC of 1800 hours or more, or a DEC, or university degree or diploma5
6 months of full-time work experience in Quebec while holding a work permit valid for at least one year5
Work experience in Quebec for less than 6 months0
Working holiday participant 3 months or more0
Other trips 3 months or more2
Other trips (2 weeks to less than 3 months)1
Other trips less than 2 weeks in length0
Family in Quebec
Spouse, Parent, Sibling, Child, Grandparent3
Maximum8

Factor 6: Accompanying Spouse Factors

Accompanying Spouse FactorsPoints
Level of Education
General secondary1
Professional secondary2
General post-secondary 2 years1
Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years2
Technical post-secondary 3 years3
University undergraduate 1 year1
University undergraduate 2 years2
University undergraduate 3 years or more3
University graduate 1 or more years4
University post-graduate4
Area of Training
Section A4
Section B3
Section C2
Section D1
Section E0
Age
less than 18 years0
18 to 35 years3
36 years2
37 years2
38 years2
39 years2
40 years1
41 years1
42 years1
43 years or more0
French-language Proficiency
Oral comprehension0, 2, or 3
Spoken French0, 2, or 3
Maximum17

Factor 7: Valid Job Offer

Valid Job OfferPoints
Valid job offer in Montreal Metropolitan Region8
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
• Gaspésie10
Maximum14

Factor 8: Children

ChildrenPoints per child
12 years or less4
13 to 21 years2
Maximum8

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.

FactorMaximum PointsMaximum Points
Without spouseWith spouse
Education9070
Quebec Education5050
Age130110
French Proficiency180180
French & English Proficiency8080
Accompanying Spouse Factors4040
Response to Quebec's needs100100

Spouse factors

Accompanying Spouse FactorsPoints
Level of Education
General secondary1
Professional secondary6
General post-secondary 2 years4
Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years7
Technical post-secondary 3 years9
University undergraduate 1 year5
University undergraduate 2 years8
University undergraduate 3 years or more10
University graduate 1 or more years10
University post-graduate10
Quebec Education
General secondary1
Professional secondary6
General post-secondary 2 years4
Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years7
Technical post-secondary 3 years9
University undergraduate 1 year5
University undergraduate 2 years8
University undergraduate 3 years or more10
University graduate 1 or more years10
University post-graduate10
French-language Proficiency
Proficiency Points
Reading
1 to 40
5 or 69
7 or 815
9 or 1018
11 or 1220
Writing
1 to 40
5 or 69
7 or 815
9 or 1018
11 or 1220

Response to Quebec's needs

DiagnosticLength of work experienceForeign national
Profession assessed in equilibrium or without diagnosisLess than
      12 months                                    
0
12 months or more30
Profession assessed in slight shortageLess than 12 months0
12 to 23 months60
24 to 35 months70
36 months and over90
Profession assessed in shortageLess than 12 months0
12 to 23 months70
24 to 35 months90
36 months and over100
Maximum100

French Proficiency

French Proficiency Points
Listening
1 to 40
5 or 632
7 or 853
9 or 1063
11 or 1270
Speaking
1 to 40
5 or 632
7 or 853
9 or 1063
11 or 1270
Reading
1 to 40
5 or 69
7 or 815
9 or 1018
11 or 1220
Writing
1 to 40
5 or 69
7 or 815
9 or 1018
11 or 1220
Maximum180

Proficiency in French & English

French levelEnglish CLB LevelPoints
1 to 41 to 120
5 or 65 to 825
7 or 89 to 1250
9 or 105 to 850
9 or 109 to 1267
11 or 125 to 867
11 or 129 to 1280
Maximum80

Education

EducationPointsWith spouse
General secondary1814
Professional secondary5442
General post-secondary 2 years3628
Technical post-secondary 1 or 2 years6349
Technical post-secondary 3 years8163
University undergraduate 1 year4535
University undergraduate 2 years7256
University undergraduate 3 years or more8365
University graduate 1 or more years8668
Univeristy post-graduate900
Maximum9068

Age

AgePointsPoints with Spouse
18 to 30 years old130110
31 years old118100
32 years old11295
33 years old10791
34 years old10085
35 years old9580
36 years old8572
37 years old7866
38 years old7261
39 years old6555
40 years old5950
41 years old4639
42 years old3328
43 years old2017
44 years old76
45 years old or more00
Maximum130110

Recent Draws Using the Arrima Portal

Invitation DateNumber of Invitations Selected Applicants Met the Following Criteria
February 9, 20231011they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 619 points; or
they had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
December 15, 20221047Their occupation is included in the following list of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

0213 – Computer systems managers

2147 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

2131 – Civil Engineers

2132 – Mechanical Engineers

2133 – Electrical and electronics engineers

2141 – Industrial and manufacturing engineers

2231 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians

2232 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

2233 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians

2171 – Computer analysts and consultants

2172 – Database Analysts and Data Administrators

2173 – Software Engineers and Designers

2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers

2175 – Web Designers and Developers

2241 – Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

2281 – Computer network technicians

2282 – User Support Agents

3012 – Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses

3233 – Practical nurses

3413 – Caregivers/Aids and Beneficiary Attendants

4031 – Secondary school teachers

4032 – Elementary and preschool teachers

4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants

5241 – Graphic designers and illustrators

5131 – Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

5223 – Graphic arts technicians

6221 – Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale

they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 571 points
December 8, 2022517These invitations were addressed to people who met one of the following criteria:

they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 591 points
they had a validated job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community
November 24, 2022998These invitations were addressed to the persons meeting the following criterion:

they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 603 points
they had a validated job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community
September 26, 20221195They had a score equal to or greater than 597 points.
September 15, 20221,009their occupation appears in the following list of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):
0213 Computer and information systems managers
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
2281 Computer network technicians
2282 User support technicians
2283 Information systems testing technicians
3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
3233 Licensed practical nurses
3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
4214 Early childhood educators and assistants
5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
5223 Graphic arts technicians
5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
they had a score equal to or higher than 563 points.
September 8, 20221,202they had a score equal to or higher than 620 points.
August 11, 202258Applicants held a valid job offer outside the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
July 7, 2022351- They had work experience in one of 14 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 624 points; or
- They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community; or
- They had work experience in NOC 3233 and a score equal to or higher than 575 points; or
- They had work experience in NOC 3413 and a score equal to or higher than 580 points; or
- They had work experience in NOC 4214 and a score equal to or higher than 551 points; or
May 5, 202230- They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community
April 7, 202233- They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community
March 10, 2022506- 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, 2022306- 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, 2022523 - 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, 2021536- 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, 2021515- 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, 202169- They had a validated offer of employment
May 27, 202190- 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, 202183- 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, 2021208- 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, 202195- 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, 2020233- 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, 2020365- 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, 20207- 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, 202023-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, 2019220- 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, 201985- 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, 2019169- 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, 201932- 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, 2019444- 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, 2019259- 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, 2019691- 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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