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Quebec has released more information regarding the Expression of Interest system that will replace its first-come, first-served application process for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and the Mon Projet Quebec application portal. As per the new changes that will come into effect on August 2nd 2018, an applicant for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) will have to first submit an Expression of Interest profile to Quebec’s Immigration Ministry (MIDI).
Selection process for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
| QSWP SELECTION FACTORS |
| Education (up to 14 points; cut-off score = 2 points) |
| Areas of training (up to 12 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) |
| Valid job offer (up to 14 points) |
| Presence of accompanying children (up to 8 points) |
| Financial self-sufficiency (1 point) |
First step
The selection process for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) will involve three steps. The first step is the candidate submitting a profile online to the Expression of Interest Bank of QSWP. Anyone above the age of 18 years can submit a profile. The profiles will be assessed and awarded scores on the basis of a number of factors including work experience, education, language proficiency and financial capacity. In order to qualify for the next step, the candidate will have to score a minimum two points in education and one point in financial self-sufficiency.
Second step
The profiles that meet the initial requirements for education and financial self-sufficiency will be considered for the second step of selection. In this step, the candidate will be assessed against a group of factors called Employability. The factors that will be considered in this step are education and training, work experience, age, language proficiency, time spent in Quebec and family in Quebec. Additional points will be awarded if the candidate has a valid job offer, but it is not necessary to be eligible for the QSWP. The minimum cut-off score required in this step is 43 points.
The cut-off score required for candidates with a spouse is 52. For these candidates, education, work experience and language proficiency of the spouse will also be considered.
Third step
In the third step, the points obtained by the candidate under the six Employability factors will be considered along with children and financial self-sufficiency factors. In this step, in which scores will be awarded on the basis of a grouping of factors called Selection, the candidate must have a minimum cut-off score 50 points. For candidates with a spouse or common-law partner, the minimum required score is 59 points. Education and training, work experience and language proficiency of the spouse will also be considered in this step.
It is not necessary that candidates with the highest score will be invited to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificate de sélection du Québec, or CSQ). The candidate’s ability to successfully stay or settle in Quebec will also be considered while choosing him or her to issue an invitation to apply.
The candidates who are invited can apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificate de sélection du Québec, or CSQ) within 90 days. The government of Quebec is planning to bring down the processing times for CSQ applications from QSWP candidates to less than 12 months from the 32-month processing time. Once a candidate obtains a CSQ, he or she can apply for permanent residence with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
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