The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is peculiar to prospective French-speaking Canadian immigrants to move to the province of Quebec. Quebec is the only province in Canada with its own immigration system. The government of Canada granted it this autonomy because of its peculiar culture and particularly because it is the only province in Canada that adopts French as its official language.
So, if you wish to migrate to Quebec to work and live with permanent residence, you have to know the immigration program that suits your qualification. One of those programs is Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Quebec Skilled Worker Program(QSW) is a point based immigration program for workers who want to work in the province of Canada and meet the criteria for to work in Quebec. The program allows candidates who have work experience, who meet a minimum score in the point grid.
French is not a criteria for this program but proficiency in French will gain extra points for you. Also, if you are travelling with your spouse or children, they can gain extra points for you in the score grid.
Quebec Skilled Program Eligibility
To become eligible for Quebec Skilled Program, you must have experience as a skilled worker. Apart from your experience and other criteria you have to meet, you must
- hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) from the Government of Quebec
- submit a complete permanent residence application.
Quebec Skilled Worker Application
If you want to apply for permanent residence in Quebec, there are basically two processes you have to undergo. First, you have to submit your expression of interest(EOI) using an online platform called Arrima to know if you are qualified. If you qualify for the program, the Quebec government will offer you a certificat de selection du Quebec(CSQ- Quebec Selection Certificate).
After receiving the CSQ, you can now submit your online application to Canadian government for Canadian permanent residence. If you qualify for Quebec Skilled Worker program, you will be selected by the Canadian government.
These process takes three steps to complete. The three steps are:
Get your application package: When you have been selected by Quebec government, you will be given an application package to fill. The package contains a both a giude and a form you will fill. You must fill the form correctly to avoid been rejected or refused your application.
Pay your application fees: After filling the application, you have to pay your application fees which include: processing fees for you and anyone following you, the right of permanent residence fees, biometrics fees, third party fees( if you decide to use one). These fees are paid online.
Submit your application: After filling the form and paying your application fees, it is time to submit your application. Make sure you fill in everything correctly. If anything is missing in your application,
- it will not be completedcompleted
- the application will be sent back to you without processing it
- then, you will have to refill it and resubmit it.
Arrima online portal
Arrima online portal is an online portal launched by the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, Francisation et Integration (MIFI) to allow candidates for Quebec Skilled Worker program to register online. Any candidate who wants to apply for QSW must submit an Expression Of Interest form online. The form must contain necessary information like language proficiency, work experience, field of training, and education.
MIFI will select the qualified candidates for CSQ from the list. The criteria for choosing candidates who qualify for CSQ has not been revealed yet. If a candidate receives the invitation to apply(ITA), the candidate has limited time to submit application. Applications submitted through the Arrima online portal normally take six months to process.
QSW criteria: Points Grid
Quebec Skilled Worker program do not have special qualifications but there are some criteria that determine how the points are scored. Before you submit your application for a certificat de selection du Quebec(CSQ), you must score the minimum score in the points grid.
Applicants without any spouse or common law partners must score at least 43 points on employability and 50 points out of possible 59 points while applicants with a spouse or a common law partner must score at least 53 points out of possible 59 points.
Below is the point grid for Quebec Skilled Worker program:
Training
As many as 26 points are awarded under the Training category of the Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration Program. These points are given across two sub-categories: Education (up to 14 points), and Areas of Training (up to 12 points).
Education
You can score up to 26 points under education depending on your level. The higher the level you attain, the higher the points scored. Below is the list of points according to level of education.
- General high school diploma – 2 points
- Vocational high school diploma – 6 points
- General postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 2 years) – 4 points
- Technical postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 1 year) – 6 points
- Technical postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 2 years) – 6 points
- Technical postsecondary school diploma in section A or B training area (full-time for 1 or 2 years) – 10 points
- Technical postsecondary school diploma (full-time for 3 years) – 8 points
- Technical postsecondary school diploma in section A or B training area (full-time for 3 years) – 10 points
- Undergraduate degree (full-time for 1+ years) – 4 points
- Undergraduate degree (full-time for 2+ years) – 6 points
- Undergraduate degree (full-time for 3+ years) – 10 points
- Master’s degree – 12 points
- Doctorate – 14 points
The Areas of Training sub-category is intended to identify potential immigrants who are professionally trained in areas with strong job prospects in Quebec. A detailed Quebec Skilled Worker Program list of Areas of Training is available to help prospective applicants determine which section their degree or diploma is classified under.
Skilled Work Experience
The points you get for experience is also determined by the number of years you have worked. The more experience you have, the more points you score. The highest point for work is 8 points.
- Less than 6 months – 0 points
- 6 months to 1 year – 4 points
- 1 to 2 years – 4 points
- 2 to 3 years – 6 points
- 3 to 4 years – 6 points
- More than 4 years – 8 points
Another factor that determines if you will qualify for Quebec Skilled Worker program is your age. You can score as high as 16 points from age factor. The younger you are, the higher points you score under the age factor.
- 18 to 35 years old – 16 points
- 36 years old – 14 points
- 37 years old – 12 points
- 38 years old – 10 points
- 39 years old – 8 points
- 40 years old – 6 points
- 41 years old – 4 points
- 42 years old – 2 points
- 43+ years of age – 0 points
Language Proficiency
Language may not be a requirement for applying for Quebec Skilled Worker program but you also have to score some points for your knowledge of both English and French to score higher points in the factor grid. The list below shows how the points are scored under language skills.
As many as 22 Quebec Skilled Worker Program points are available under this selection factor. French language skills are preferred by Immigration Quebec, and consequently, French language proficiency is weighted more strongly than English language proficiency with an opportunity for the applicant to score 16 points for French compared to 6 points for English.
Immigration Quebec accepts several different English and French evaluation tests and diplomas from the Centre international d’études pédagogiques (CIEP), Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris Île-de-France (CCIP-IDF), and International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Attestations of standardized test results will not be accepted from other organizations. Candidates are adjudicated on written comprehension, written production, oral comprehension and oral production.
Recognized French Knowledge Evaluations:
- CIEP: Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
- CIEP: Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCFQ)
- CIEP: Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
- CIEP: Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
- CCIP-IDF: Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
- CCIP-IDF: Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
- CCIP-IDF: Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
Recognized English Knowledge Evaluations:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
In general, a person is classified as a “Low Beginner” if they are only able to comprehend short or common phrases, and express simple things. A “High Beginner” is someone who is able to comprehend basic day to day information, and express themselves effectively in standard situations. A person is considered a “Low Intermediate” if they can understand most information they hear in typical situations, and are able to communicate effectively in most day to day scenarios. A “High Intermediate” is a person who can comprehend detailed info regarding a wide variety of subjects both standard or abstract. They can also speak clearly and effectively about many topics they are interested in. An individual is considered “Advanced” if they can understand complicated information in both professional and casual settings, and can clearly and confidently communicate on a wide array of topics.
French Language Proficiency (maximum 16 points):
- Reading – A1 Low Beginner (0 points), A2 High Beginner (0 points), B1 Low Intermediate (0 points), B2 High Intermediate (1 point), C1 Advanced (1 point), C2 Advanced (1 point)
- Writing – A1 Low Beginner (0 points), A2 High Beginner (0 points), B1 Low Intermediate (0 points), B2 High Intermediate (1 point), C1 Advanced (1 point), C2 Advanced (1 point)
- Listening – A1 Low Beginner (0 points), A2 High Beginner (0 points), B1 Low Intermediate (0 points), B2 High Intermediate (5 points), C1 Advanced (6 points), C2 Advanced (7 points)
- Speaking – A1 Low Beginner (0 points), A2 High Beginner (0 points), B1 Low Intermediate (0 points), B2 High Intermediate (5 points), C1 Advanced (6 points), C2 Advanced (7 points)
English Language Proficiency (maximum 6 points):
- Reading – CLB 1 to CLB 4 Beginner (0 points), CLB 5 to CLB 8 Intermediate (1 point), CLB 9 to CLB 12 Advanced (1 point)
- Writing – CLB 1 to CLB 4 Beginner (0 points), CLB 5 to CLB 8 Intermediate (1 point), CLB 9 to CLB 12 Advanced (1 point)
- Listening – CLB 1 to CLB 4 Beginner (0 points), CLB 5 to CLB 8 Intermediate (1 point), CLB 9 to CLB 12 Advanced (2 points)
- Speaking – CLB 1 to CLB 4 Beginner (0 points), CLB 5 to CLB 8 Intermediate (1 point), CLB 9 to CLB 12 Advanced (2 points)
Connection to Quebec
You can also get extra points depending on the connection you gave in Quebec. If you have visited Quebec or gave a relation in Quebec, it can add up to your points in the points grid and your chances of qualifying for Quebec Skilled Worker program will be increased. You can earn as much as 8 points depending on your connection to Quebec.
Accompanying Spouse
There are also points awarded depending on the accompanying spouse. If your accompanying spouse scores more points, it adds to your own points and it can make you qualify for QSW. Different ways in which your spouse can gain points include the level of education, the age of the spouse and the language proficiency of the spouse in French. You can score as high as 17 points.
Valid Job Offer
If you have valid job offer from any city of Quebec, it also adds to your point and can help you qualify faster for Quebec Skilled Worker program. The points vary according to cities. The maximum point is 14.
Children
You can also score some points from the age of accompanying children. For children less than 12 years, you can score 4 points and for children within 12 and 21 years, you will score 2 points. The maximum point is 8 points.
A: Who is eligible for Quebec Skilled Worker Program?
And: Anybody can apply for Quebec Skilled Worker program. All you have to do is expression of intentions(EOI). Once you have declared your intention to live and work in Quebec, you can apply to know if you will be selected.
B. What are the requirements for Quebec Skilled Worker program?
Ans. There are no special requirements for Quebec Skilled Worker program. Though, there are some criteria that are considered in the point grid and candidates are selected based on their score.
The criteria include: age, education, experience, characteristics of your spouse, children and language proficiency.
C. What is the processing time for Quebec Skilled Worker program?
Ans. QSW can take up to 17 months to process starting from the time you declare your intention to apply. Once your application has been received, the processing time will be six months.
D. What is the fee for QSW?
Ans. The fee for Quebec Skilled Worker program is from around $1,325. The fee covers application fees, biometrics, third party fees and other fees.
E. What is the difference between Federal Skilled Worker program and Quebec Skilled Worker program?
Ans. FSW is for skilled workers who want to live and work in Canada but want to live outside the city of Canada. They can live in any province of their choice apart from the Quebec province.
QSW is a program for skilled workers who want to live and work in the province of Quebec. They can not live in any other place except Quebec. You may check the Federal Skilled Trades program if you have technical/trade skills and prefer other provinces other than Quebec.
