Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

What is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and How to Apply for PR in Quebec?

The program is designed to help skilled workers immigrate to the province of Quebec in Canada. Quebec has a privilege among Canada’s provinces in its immigration agreement with the federal government. This allows the province to choose immigrants who will best contribute to the Quebec economy and integrate successfully into its society.

The QSWP is a government program that permits skilled workers to move to Quebec and obtain permanent residency. The program aims to attract qualified people with the necessary talents and credentials to thrive in the province’s job market.

How to Apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (CSQ Application Process)

There are two steps in the application process:

1. A Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC) or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) application is the first step. The certificate verifies that the province of Quebec has selected an applicant as a skilled worker.
2. The second step is applying for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). After receiving a CSQ, applicants must submit a separate application to IRCC and the required documentation.

Total Law can assist you with both steps of the application process to ensure everything is in order. Give us a call today at 0333 305 9375.

Obtaining a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC)

You can only get a QSC through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program at the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) by applying to the Quebec government.

To begin, you must file an EOI (Expression of Interest) under the program. However, to be considered for the EOI, you must fulfil all criteria:

• You must be 18+.
• You must intend to live in Quebec.
• You must prefer to work in the Quebec region.

List of Documents/Information Required

The following documents/information are required when you register an EOI:

• Complete personal information
• Detailed family information
• Contact details
• Present residence status in Quebec
• Educational achievements
• Work experience
• A MIFI validated job offer (if any)
• Proficiency in both the languages: English and French
• Other information.

Application fees for EOI

Registering an interest in skilled migration is free of charge with the MIFI. You can change the details of your EOI for the Quebec skilled worker immigration program whenever necessary.

Validity of EOI application

You have 12 months to use an EOI (Expression of Interest) submitted under the Program. If you don’t receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for CSQ within that time, you must re-enter the pool by submitting a new EOI.

The government of Quebec thinks you have excellent potential for integration into the province and that your talents are a good match with what the province requires. It guarantees that you will be notified when it’s time to apply for permanent residency.

The program’s application procedure is permanent, meaning you may stay and work in Quebec indefinitely if accepted. This program is ideal for skilled individuals seeking to establish a new home in Quebec.

The MIFI is in charge of immigration to Quebec. They may take your expression of interest (EOI) to immigrate to Quebec based on certain criteria. Having a degree from a Québec institution, being a short-term worker with 6 months of experience in Quebec, or having a confirmed job offer from a Québec employer are all qualifying factors.

You’ll need to fill out some essential paperwork, pay a fee, and submit the documents needed to apply for the program. This must all be completed within 30 days of your invitation to apply. This scheme aims to assist you in obtaining permanent selection status.

Quebec Skilled Worker Points Grid and How It Impacts Your CSQ Application

The Quebec Selection Grid evaluates your capacity to establish yourself economically in the province of Quebec. The first step in your Quebec, Canadian immigration process is to complete a QEI profile through MIDI.

Your points will be calculated by taking into account 9 different factors. The point values for each factor depend on the level of achievement in that area.

• Educational qualifications & Training received
• Previous work history
• Age
• English & Frech language skills
• Family stay in Quebec
• Validated job offer
• Spouse or common-law partner information
• Children
• Financial solvency

You’ll receive a certain amount of points in each category based on your application. The more points you have, the more likely you will be invited to apply for a CSQ. When you reach the required points, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a CSQ. With a CSQ, you can then apply for permanent residence.

The immigration counselor may request an interview to check your qualifications against the Quebec Selection Grid. You could be asked to provide more paperwork. They will verify the accuracy of any information you provided on your application for permanent selection.

You will improve your odds of being Chosen for a CSQ if you gain points in each assessment area. Also, concentrate on the areas MIDI focuses on when making their selections; however, be aware these target areas may vary yearly.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program Processing Time & Application fees

They’ll have your application for a QSC completed in 6 months. However, if you must appear at a MIFI interview as part of your application, this time frame may increase.

The fees that the Quebec government charges for processing a QSC application are:

• CAD 844: Primary applicant
• An additional CAD 181: For every dependent child, spouse, or common-law partner

How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Quebec After Obtaining a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC)

You must apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) after you have received your QSC.

You must submit the following documents as part of your application:

• Canada Application Form (Generic)
• Declaration for Additional Dependants (if any)
• Background Declaration (Schedule A)
• Declaration of Intent to Reside in Quebec (Schedule 5)
• Additional Family Details
• Your Travel Information
• Separation Declaration for Any Minors Travelling to Canada (if any)
• Document Checklist
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union
• Authorization of a Representative (if applicable)

Please fill out the application in full and truthfully. You might be classified as inadmissible to Canada for the next five years if you provide false information.

Additional Documents

The Quebec skilled worker immigration program applicants must provide certified copies of official documents such as passports, marriage certificates, and birth certificates. These documents must be attested by authorized professionals, such as a commissioner of oaths, notary publics, or commissioners authorized for affidavits. If these documents are in a language other than English or French, you’ll also need to provide certified translations.

If you have family members over 18 and are not permanent residents or citizens, you will need to get a police certificate for each. The certificate must be no more than 6 months old when you apply for permanent residence. You will need a certificate from any country or territory where the person has lived for 6 months or more since turning 18, even if they are now a citizen or permanent resident of another country.

A police certificate is a document that shows whether or not an individual has a criminal history. To get a police certificate, you may need to provide fingerprints and pay a fee. People convicted of certain crimes are not eligible for the Quebec skilled worker program and will not be given a police certificate.

Quebec PR Application Fees After Obtaining CSQ and Quebec Selection Certificate

Several fees must be paid. These cover the cost of processing the application and related services.

The fees you may have to pay to submit your application for permanent residency through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program are as follows:

*Includes CAN$515 right of PR fee

PR Processing Time After CSQ: How Long Does It Take to Get PR in Quebec?

The time it will take to process your application may vary. Factors that can affect processing time include:

• Whether you have submitted all required documents,
• How long it takes to assess those documents, and
• How long it takes to complete any necessary background checks.

The typical processing time for a Quebec skilled worker application is 16 months. However, this period is contingent and can fluctuate based on IRCC processing volumes and the completeness of submitted applications.

It’s worth noting that the processing time stated on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the time it takes them to process 80% of complete applications. This implies that 20% of applications may take longer than the timelines indicated.

How Can IAS help with the Quebec Skilled Worker Program?

Applying for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program can be complex and time-consuming. However, the team at IAS is here to help. We can guide you through the selection grid, help you gather the required documents, and review your completed application to ensure it is error-free.

The team at Total Law can help you with all aspects of your Quebec skilled worker application. We can guide the selection grid, help you gather the required documents, and review your completed application to ensure it is error-free. Contact us today at 0333 305 9375 to get started.