Quebec remain the only province in Canada whose sole official language is French. For this reason, some Quebec immigration programs require proficiency or give preference to individuals who are proficient in the French language.
However, there are also pathways available for non-French speakers who wish to immigrate to the province.
Certificate of Selection Quebec (CSQ)
Immigration applications to Quebec are approved through two separate processes: selection and admission. Selection takes place at the provincial level, while admission takes place at the federal level.
To immigrate to Quebec, the applicant must meet selection and admission requirements. In the selection step of the process, the foreign national must obtain approval from the province of Quebec itself.
Selection is proven by a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificate of Selection of Quebec – CSQ), a document issued by the provincial immigration authorities after a successful application through one of Quebec’s immigration programs.
Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) Program
The Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residency. As a skilled worker program, all applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum level of skilled work experience.
QSW is a points-based immigration programme, which means applicants must achieve a minimum score on the points assessment grid to be eligible.
This program does not require the applicant to be proficient in French to apply, but proficiency in French may lead to increased scores on the scoring grid. Eligible candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Arrima online portal to be considered for this programme.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence. The program requires that candidates have experience in the province of Quebec, either as a temporary foreign worker or an international student.
Applicants to the PEQ program must demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. There are additional eligibility requirements for this program, including that the applicant must be a legal resident of Quebec at the time the application is submitted and processed.
Quebec Investor Program
In order to apply for the Quebec Investor Program, applicants must have net assets totalling at least C$2 million and the ability to invest at least C$1.2 million with a financial intermediary in Quebec.
Applicants who meet these criteria may be eligible for permanent residency in Canada through the Quebec Investor Program.
Quebec Entrepreneurship Program
The Quebec Entrepreneurship Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity along with the experience and intention to run a business in Quebec or acquire a business in Quebec.
Quebec Self-Employed
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows some self-employed people to immigrate to Quebec and create their own jobs. In order to qualify for this program, an applicant needs to have net assets of at least C$100,000 and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the field he or she plans to practice in Quebec.
Certificate of Acceptance in Quebec (CAQ)
Several temporary residence programs in Quebec require a Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec – CAQ), to allow temporary residence in Quebec. This includes the majority of study programs for international students.
Note: The CAQ allows temporary residence in the province of Quebec. It should not be confused with the Certificate of Selection of Quebec (CSQ), which allows permanent residence in the province.
Approved Job Offer
If a Quebec employer wishes to hire a foreign national, they may be eligible to extend a job offer to the foreign national that has been officially validated by MIDI.
A certified job offer is a strong advantage in the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program as it gives the holder either 8 points (if the position is located in the Montreal region) or 10 points (if the position is located outside the Montreal region).
In addition, holders of approved job offers are exempt from quota requirements for QSW applications, meaning they can apply for a CSQ at any time. To validate a job offer, the position and the foreign national must meet several requirements:
Job Requirements
- Must be in a permanent, full-time position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, B or C.
- It must have a positive or neutral impact on the local labor market.
- It must be submitted in writing by your Quebec employer who has been in business for at least 12 months.
- Appropriate recruitment efforts must be made to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for this position, if possible (see below)
Requirements for foreigners
- You must submit copies of your identity documents, educational documents, curriculum vitae (CV), and a written copy of the job offer.
- You must be licensed or certified to practice if the profession is regulated in Quebec.
- If the foreign national is already working for their employer, they will need to provide a copy of their work permit as well as three recent pay slips.
- If a foreign national is already working for a Quebec employer under a temporary work permit, the employer does not need to provide proof that it has attempted to hire a Canadian or permanent resident for the position.
In all other cases, the employer must provide evidence of its recruitment efforts. This means that employers must go to great lengths to recruit a Canadian for the position before offering it to a foreign national.
If all requirements for a verified job offer are met, the employer may submit a verification request to MIDI.