Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Quebec is the largest and the only French-speaking province of Canada. Extremely vibrant and multicultural, it is popular for its vast forest landscape, rolling hills and waterways. The economy of the province is highly industrialised, constituted by advanced manufacturing sector for producing a wide array of products for export. Additionally, its commercial capital Montreal contributes to its economic growth with competitive industries including space and aeronautics, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy, transportation and finance. It offers a diverse range of opportunities for foreign nationals and invites them to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Quebec Immigration Program. It is steadily adding a huge number of jobs and also attracting renowned international companies to establish themselves in the province.

Quebec Immigration Program is the Skilled Worker Program. It is designed strategically to identify and invite candidates to work and establish themselves in the province. Foreign nationals who wish to reside in Montreal or any other region in the province can apply for Quebec Immigration Program that works differently then the other Canadian Provincial Nomination Programs. The Skilled workers or international graduates are assessed under a different system which is also known as ‘Regular Skilled Worker Program’, Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) or Quebec Experience Program (QEP).

Expression of Interest System and the Arrima Portal

Quebec’s Expression of Interest System streamlines the application process of QSWP for the Government as well as candidates. The application process for Quebec Skilled Worker Program begins by submitting an Expression of Interest via Quebec’s online portal- Arrima. The immigration process includes the following steps for filling a successful application:

  • Creating a profile of Expression of Interest via Arrima Portal to enter into the Expression of Interest bank.
  • The Ministry of Immigration at Quebec evaluates each application and invites the candidates to go forward with the process. The evaluation usually depends upon the labour market needs in Quebec.
  • Completion of the application by submitting the required documents for receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate.
  • Applications are further evaluated on the basis of employability, education, language proficiency and finances for self- sufficiency and the approved candidates are issued a CSQ.
  • Application to be submitted for Canadian permanent residence.

The Arrima Portal

Government of Quebec introduced Arrima Portal which allows the foreign nationals to create Expression of Interest profile. It evaluates the candidates’ capabilities and intent to move to Quebec under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The portal is free to access and available to candidates above 18 years of age or older.

Mon Projet Quebec

Mon Projet Quebec is a safe and secure online immigration application management system introduced by the province. It allows the applicants to submit their application, facilitates online payment and check the application status.

Eligibility for Quebec Skilled Worker Program

In order to receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, the applicants are required to score enough points based on certain selection factors. Before providing Canadian permanent residence, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts a check on the medical and criminal record of the applicants in order to go ahead with the process.

Selection factors and minimum points required
Factors Points
Education Up to 14 points (Cutoff Score = 2 points)
Area Of Training Up to 12 points
Validated Employment Offer Up to 14 points
Work Experience Up to 8 points
Age Up to 16 points
Language Proficiency Up to 22 points
Stay And Family In Quebec Up to 8 points
Spouse/Common-law partner Characteristics Up to 17 points
Presence Of Accompanying Children Up to 8 points
Financial Self-Sufficiency 1 point

As part of the mandatory documentation, the result of language proficiency test will also require to be submitted by the applicant.

Processing time

The processing time of application for Quebec Skilled Worker Program depends on the Canadian Immigration Visa Office. It applies to the federal part once the application for permanent residence has been received. It does not include the time taken for processing the CSQ by the province.

The processing time at the federal stage takes about 15 to 17 months.

Processing Fees

The updated processing fee for Quebec Skilled Worker Program as in 2019 is stated below:

Applicant Fees
Principal Applicant CAD $798
Spouse, de facto spouse CAD $171
Each dependent child CAD $171
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