Candidates who wish apply for a Quebec Certificate of Selection, under one of the immigration programs applicable to skilled workers should be aware of the following rules in force since March 29 2018, and until next August 15.
With regards to Quebec immigration programs skilled workers:
- A maximum of 5,000 Quebec Selection Certificate applications submitted by applicants residing outside Canada will be accepted for processing under the regular skilled worker program. However, the date when the Quebec immigration department will start accepting such applications has not yet been fixed, so at this time (and until then) any application received from such candidates will be returned to their sender without being processed.
- Nevertheless, applicants may submit an application for a Quebec Selection Certificate at any time and without restriction as to the number of applications that will be received and processed if they are in one of the following 3 situations:
- (1) they have a job offer validated by the Ministry; or
- (2) they are already temporary residents in Quebec and are authorized to apply from within Quebec under current regulations; or
- (3) they apply under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
- These measures are in effect until the new and long-awaited Declaration of Interest system, similar to the Federal Express Entry system that has been in effect since 2015, comes into effect. The precise details of this system are not yet known.
With respect to Quebec immigration programs for business persons (investor, entrepreneur and self-employed programs):
- No applications will be accepted for processing until August 15, 2018;
- changes to these programs have been announced and further details are forthcoming. For now, what we know is this:
- The investor program will be amended to, among other things, increase the minimum net worth required to CAD 2.0 million (previously CAD 1.6 million) and to increase the government guaranteed interest-free loan to CAD 1.2 million (previously CAD 800,000);
- The entrepreneur program is modified. This program will require, among other things, the acquisition or creation of a business and the payment to the Ministry of immigration of a security deposit to guarantee the realization of the business project after being approved and living in Quebec as a permanent resident. After candidates have proven their compliance with their business commitment under this program, the deposit will be reimbursed to them;
- Further clarifications are expected regarding the other terms and conditions applicable to programs for business people, including the selection criteria and points awarded to these criteria, the minimum required to qualify (number of points and net worth for entrepreneurs in particular), the number of applications that will be accepted for processing (“quotas”), etc.
