Quebec immigration programs

Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)

The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) is a provincial immigration programme for individuals with skilled job experience who will be able to make long-term contributions to Quebec's economy as members of the workforce.

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program - How to Apply

All RSWP candidates must show that they have achieved the minimum required score on the RSWP points evaluation grid. If you have enough RSWP points, you can apply for the programme by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima web portal. The Quebec government will then ask some candidates to apply for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec selection certificate).
An applicant becomes qualified to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residency after acquiring a CSQ.

Arrima Online Portal

The Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI) has introduced the Arrima online platform to manage applications for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP). Candidates interested in applying to RSWP must fill out an Expression of Interest (EOI) form online, which includes information about the candidate's language skills, job experience, field of training, and education.
MIFI will choose candidates from this pool to submit an application for a CSQ, but they have not yet specified how they would choose which people to invite. Candidates will have a limited amount of time to submit their complete application after getting an invitation to apply to the programme.
CSQ applications submitted via the Arrima portal are scheduled to be reviewed within 6 months.

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker processing time

There are two processing times to consider for your Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program application: the CSQ processing time and the Canadian permanent residence application processing time. These processing times are both subject to change. The most recent processing times are available on the government website.

Regular Skilled Worker fees

Candidates must pay for both the CSQ application and the federal permanent residence application when coming under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). Please see the most recent CSQ fees listed below. It's worth noting that they're updated every year.

Is French required for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program?

Although French is the official language of Quebec, QSW does not require applicants to demonstrate competence in French, making the programme appealing to English speakers who want to live in Quebec.
However, your French language skill affects your eligibility points and ranking in the Arrima pool. As a result, knowing some French will help you stand a better chance of getting into the programme.

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points systems

The Regular Skilled Worker Program in Quebec employs two point systems: one to decide who is eligible to submit an Arrima profile and the other to determine who is invited to apply for permanent selection. If a candidate fulfils the minimum point threshold for submitting an Arrima profile, they will receive an additional score. This score is used by Quebec to rank candidates and can be used to determine who receives an invitation to apply for a CSQ.

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (programme de l'expérience québécoise - PEQ) is one of the province of Quebec's immigration programmes. PEQ is appropriate for applicants who have lawfully gained job experience in Quebec and speak French. PEQ is one of Quebec's priority immigration programmes, which means applications are handled much faster than those under other programmes, such as Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW).

Quebec Experience Program Requirements

This programme, like other of Quebec's immigration routes, permits applicants to apply for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec selection certificate). An applicant becomes qualified to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residency after acquiring a CSQ.
All PEQ applicants must meet the following general programme requirements:

• 1. Have the aim of settling in Quebec to work;
• 2. Have resided temporarily in Quebec with the primary goal of working or learning and have complied with the terms of their stay;
• 3. Demonstrate advanced intermediate oral French knowledge; accompanying spouses must also demonstrate French language proficiency.
• 4. Make a commitment to provide for their own needs, as well as the requirements of their spouse or de facto spouse and dependent children included in their application for a certificat de sélection du Québec, for a minimum of three months.
• 5. Be over the age of 18 and have a valid passport.

Quebec Experience Program for Foreign Workers

Candidates applying as temporary foreign workers to PEQ must also meet the following requirements:

• 1. Be lawfully present in Québec as a skilled temporary foreign worker or as a participant in a youth exchange programme (for example, a Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op Internship permit);
• 2. Have worked full-time at the management, professional, or technical level for at least 24 of the 36 months preceding the submission of their application; part-time work is not accepted for this programme;
• 3. Work at the management, professional, or technical level (levels O, A, B under the National Occupational Classification) at the time of application submission.

Transitional Measures for New Regulations

On July 22, 2020, Immigration Quebec implemented new PEQ regulations, which altered the selection criterion. Students did not need work experience to be eligible to submit under the former selection criteria. Temporary workers were required to have 36 months of work experience, which might fall under NOC skill levels O, A, B, C, or D.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is designed for immigrant entrepreneurs who want to start a new firm or buy and run an existing one in Quebec.
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is an immigration option for immigrant entrepreneurs who either start a new firm or buy and run an existing one. Successful applicants will be able to immigrate to Quebec and work on their business initiative. This programme, like other of Quebec's immigration routes, permits applicants to apply for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec selection certificate). An applicant becomes qualified to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residency after acquiring a CSQ.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program Requirements

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is divided into two streams, each with its own set of eligibility requirements:

Stream 1

Applicants must settle in Quebec to start and operate a firm that is supported by a service offer from a business accelerator, a business incubator, or a university entrepreneurship centre in order to be eligible. The business venture can be done alone or in collaboration with others, up to three of whom can be foreign nationals applying to the same immigration programme. There is no formal definition of the types of enterprises that can benefit from a service offer. However, the following definitions should serve as a broad reference for applicants:

• Business accelerator: A non-profit organisation having a presence in Quebec that provides assistance to entrepreneurs seeking financing for their initiatives aimed at growing innovative enterprises.
• Business incubator: A non-profit organisation based in Quebec that provides assistance to entrepreneurs looking to start new firms.
• University entrepreneurship centre: A university-level organisation that provides coaching services to entrepreneurs and is managed by a university institution.

Stream 2

To be qualified for this stream, the candidate must relocate to Quebec to start a new business or buy an existing one and manage its operations. As part of their application, successful applicants will be required to submit two financial deposits:

• (1) a CAD $200,000 security deposit as insurance that the business will be founded; to be reimbursed when the business plan is successfully carried out; and
• (2) a startup deposit that must be used to set up the firm. The startup deposit is CAD $300,000 for enterprises established in Montreal and CAD $200,000 for businesses established elsewhere.

Quebec Investor Program

The Quebec Investor Program is designed for experienced investors with significant assets and personal net worth who want to invest in Quebec. Applicants must have net assets of at least $2 million CAD and the ability to invest at least $1,200,000 CAD with a Quebec financial intermediary in order to apply for the Quebec Investor Program.

Quebec Investor Program Requirements

Applicants must meet three fundamental requirements to be eligible for the Quebec Investor Program. An investor must do the following:

• - Have at least $2 million in net assets. This sum must have been obtained legitimately and cannot include donations received within 6 months of the application date. This amount may also include the applicant's spouse's or common-law partner's assets.
• - Have managerial experience in a legal farming, commercial, or industrial business, or in a legal professional business where the workers, excluding the investor, have at least two full-time jobs; or for an international agency or government.
• - Plan to settle in Quebec and sign a $1,200,000 CAD investment agreement with a financial intermediary (broker or trust company) allowed to participate in the Quebec Investor Program.
• - Meet the Quebec Investor Points Assessment Grid's minimal points requirements.

Our Business Immigration Team

The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a plethora of chances for potential immigrants with the skills required to establish enterprises in Canada. The Quebec Investor Program is one of several unique immigration schemes that offer accelerated permanent residency to entrepreneurs and financial investors prepared to contribute support to Canadian companies.
Solex has a team of professionals ready to help you with every phase of the business immigration procedure. From the moment you confirm your eligibility until the day you receive your permanent residence card in the mail, our business immigration experts will provide first-rate support every step of the way!

Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

Quebec for Self Employed Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program. A candidate must:

• - Come to Quebec to develop their own job by pursuing a profession or trade on their own account.
• - Have net assets of at least $100,000 CAD earned legally with the assistance of an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if appropriate.
• - Have at least two years of self-employment experience in the profession or trade they intend to practise in Quebec.

Certificat de Selection du Quebec (CSQ)

The selection process:

Candidates are chosen by Quebec by earning a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec selection certificate). There are a variety of Quebec immigration programmes which grant CSQs to successful applicants. The CSQ is a document that certifies that an applicant has been formally chosen for immigration by the province of Quebec.

The admission process:

Applicants are eligible to make an official application for permanent residency once they have received a CSQ. This application is sent to the federal immigration authorities, and if granted, it results in permanent resident status. An applicant should ensure that they meet the eligibility standards for both the selection and admission phases before beginning the Quebec immigration process.