Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Quebec selects all candidates for immigration to Canada who intend to settle in the Province of Quebec as skilled workers. It has developed a point system to choose candidates under the Quebec Skilled Worker program. candidates who are selected by Quebec receive a Quebec Selection Certificate which authorizes them to apply for a permanent residence visa from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Selection factors for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program

The selection of candidates is made on the basis of a point system. Points are awarded for several selection factors. Candidates who obtain a sufficient number of points are selected by Quebec. This point system takes into account several factors such as:

  • Education (both the level of education attained and the area of training).
  • Work experience
  • Age
  • Knowledge of French and English : to be awarded points for this factor, a candidate’s knowledge must be attested by the results of a recognized test not older than 2 years)
  • Stays in Québec and/or having a direct relative in the province of Quebec (Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada)
  • Having received a job offer from a Quebec employer
  • Factors relating to a candidate’s accompanying spouse or common-law partner such as age, knowledge of French, education level and area of training
  • The number of dependent children less than 19 years of age
  • Demonstrating sufficient funds to settle in Quebec ( financial self-sufficiency ) and being able to meet the candidate’s and his or her  family’s needs for at least the first three months after arrival in Québec.
Complete our Quebec Skilled Worker Free Assessment to evaluate your possibilities of qualifying under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

Knowledge of French for The Quebec Skilled Worker Program

The following are accepted as proof of a candidate’s knowledge of French:

Knowledge of English for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program

In order to obtain points for the knowledge of English candidates must submit the results the IELTS (International English Language Testing System).  Consult the International English Language Testing System Internet site to find the up to date list of examination centres for the IELTS.

Financial self-sufficiency

For the period from January 1 to December 31, 2018, single persons must have at least $3,135 at their disposal to meet their basic needs for the first three months following their arrival in Québec. In addition to this sum, they must have at their disposal an additional amount for each family member accompanying them (spouse or common law partner and children). The following table shows the minimum required funds necessary to cover the essential needs of applicants with families of different sizes

Minimum amounts in $CAD to cover family needs
for the first 3 months after arrival in Québec
One adult
Two adults
Without dependent children
$3,135
$4,597
With one dependent child
$4,212
$5,150
With two dependent children
$4,755
$5,558
With three dependent children
$5,297
$5,966

 

Work experience

Candidates for a Quebec Selection Certificate as a Quebec Skilled Worker only receive points for remunerated work experience legally acquired in the  5 years previous to the date of submission, provided that this experience is in a management occupation as defined by the National Occupations Classification of Canada  (NOC  skill type “0”) or in a job with a skill level of A, B or C as per the NOC. Work experience can be full time (30 hours per week or more) or part time. Full-time or part-time work internships (apprenticeship, training or specialization) performed as a condition of  being granted a diploma, are also recognized as experience, even if non-remunerated.

Education

Candidates must hold at least a diploma corresponding to a general or vocational high school diploma in Quebec to be able to apply under the Quebec Skilled Worker program. Only diplomas obtained before the date of submission of an application are awarded points. Points are awarded both for the level of education achieved and for the area of specialization of their diploma.

The points assessed for a candidate’s training specialty is based on the List of areas of training prevailing at the time a candidate’s application undergoes preliminary assessment by the Quebec ministry of Immigration.  For each of the areas of training identified on the list, points are awarded depending on factors like the job prospects for holders of such specializations, and the requirements for practising those occupations. Points are higher for holders of a Québec diploma, or a foreign diploma treated as a Quebec diploma, than for foreign diplomas.