Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program(RSWP)

Quebec is the Francophone province of Canada, known for high living standards, beautiful landscape and a rich cultural heritage, which is a mix of both English and French. It maintains a special status among the provinces in Canada and has special provisions to protect its unique culture and French language. It is the only province in Canada which has its own immigration process, immigration programs as well as selection criteria. It has more authority in immigration matters than any other Canadian province. So Quebec is responsible for selecting skilled workers who can migrate to the province and the federal government only admits them.

The skilled workers selected by Quebec will receive Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) or Quebec Selection Certificate. With this certificate, they can apply for permanent residence in Canada. In 2022, Quebec has introduced a new measure in which the applicants who receive a CSQ can come to live and work in Quebec on an open work permit under the International Mobility Program Plus(IMP+), until a final decision is made on their PR application. One of the major immigration pathways for international skilled workers to settle in Quebec is:

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program(RSWP)

The Regular Skilled Worker Program of Quebec is for those foreign skilled workers who wish to settle in Quebec. In order to receive a CSQ through the RSWP, you must submit an Expression of Interest through the Arrima portal, the online application management system for Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be invited to apply for a CSQ. Some of the factors that determine your chances of being selected for invitation are:

• Work experience
• Language proficiency
• Age
• Qualifications of your spouse
• Presence of children

Submitting Expression of Interest to Arrima portal

Submitting an Expression of Interest to the Arrima portal is totally free. However, you need to meet certain conditions, which are:

• You should be at least 18 years of age
• You should demonstrate your intention to settle in Quebec
• You should demonstrate your intention to work in Quebec

What all information should be furnished in the Expression of Interest?

Your Expression of Interest must include the following information:

• Personal information
• Contact information
• Information about your family
• Your status in Quebec
• Education
• Work experience
• Whether you have a valid job offer
• Proficiency in French and English

What all documents must you submit with Expression of Interest?

• Language test results
• Educational Credential Assessment(ECA), if you have completed your education outside Canada
• Valid job offer, if any
• Diplomas

Your Expression of Interest on Arrima Portal will remain valid for 12 months. If you do not receive any invitation during this period, your Expression of Interest will expire and you will have to submit a new Expression of Interest. You may also withdraw your Expression of Interest whenever you want.

Receiving an invitation to apply for CSQ

Once you submit an Expression of Interest to the Arrima portal, it will be placed in the Expression of Interest Bank. Quebec conducts regular Arrima draws and in these draws, those candidates who have the potential to meet the labour needs of Quebec as well as integrate well to the Quebec community are invited to apply for a CSQ.

Once you are invited, you may submit an application for CSQ. However, you need to make sure that all the information that you have provided in the Expression of Interest are correct. Providing incorrect information would lead to your invitation being cancelled. In order to avoid such untoward incidents, you may seek the help of immigration experts, who would help you to furnish all the necessary information in your Expression of Interest, without any errors or mistakes.

Eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply for CSQ

The major factors that determine your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for CSQ under Regular Skilled Worker Program can be categorised into three:

Human capital criteria

• Proficiency in French language
• Proficiency in both French and English
• Age
• Work experience
• Educational qualification

Labour market criteria

• Length of work experience in relevant occupation
• Field of training
• Quebec diploma
• Work experience in Quebec
• Canadian work experience
• Valid job offer

Criteria related to the spouse of the applicant

• Proficiency in French
• Educational qualification
• Quebec diploma

There are also certain other eligibility criteria which include the candidate’s destination region in Quebec as well as the profession they practice.

Applying for CSQ in Regular Skilled Worker Program

Once you receive an invitation, you may submit the application for permanent selection along with all the necessary supporting documents within 60 days. You also need to get an attestation of learning about democratic values and Quebec values, without which, your application will be rejected. Along with the application, you must pay your application fee as well.

Processing of application for CSQ

The application for CSQ under RSWP is processed within 6 months. If your application is accepted, you and your accompanying family members would receive Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate). If your application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining why your application was rejected. You may provide a response to this letter with convincing evidence on why the grounds for rejection are not valid within the requested deadline. Your application will then be reviewed and you might also be called for an interview. Afterwards, you will be informed whether your application was accepted or rejected.

Applying for Canada PR

Once you receive the Quebec Selection Certificate, you may apply to the Canada federal government for Permanent Residence status.

Obtaining an open work permit

After you receive the Quebec Selection Certificate, you may also apply for an open work permit under the International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+), if you are living abroad. This work permit would allow you to stay and work in Quebec until a decision is made on your permanent residence application.

Are you interested to know more about the Regular Skilled Worker Program of Quebec? Talk to the Canada immigration experts of CanApprove. Contact us now!