Canada is made up of different provinces and each province has its own rules and regulations, especially regarding immigration. Quebec is one of the provinces that offers their own immigration programs, such as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
This program allows international people with skills that match the needs of the province to apply to immigrate to Quebec and, if selected, then become permanent residents of Canada living in that province.
This article will cover the requirements and process to become a Quebec Skilled Worker.
1. What is QSWP Immigration?
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is an immigration program based solely in Quebec. Only those who wish to live in Quebec permanently must apply directly for this program as applications are assessed based on provincial regulations.
If selected, you will be able to find work and housing in Quebec and continue to live there. You will be considered a permanent resident of Canada and receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Additionally, after several years, you will be able to apply for Canadian citizenship and receive a Canadian passport.
2. How to apply for Quebec’s Select Skilled Worker Program?
To apply for this program, there are several steps as outlined below.
Receive a Certificate of Selection from the province of Quebec
To obtain this certificate, you must first submit an Expression of Interest to immigrate to Quebec. This can be done through submitting an application with your information on the Arrima portal. Your expression of interest will be valid for 12 months and if you are not contacted by Quebec immigration officials within this time you must resubmit your application or it will be invalid.
If Quebec immigration officials select your expression of interest, you will then be invited to apply for permanent residence. This means officials will send you a personalized list of the information and supporting documents they need. You will also be required to pay a registration fee.
Fees are:
| Applicants | Fee (Dollars, Canada) |
| Main applicant | $798 |
| Spouse or de facto spouse | $171 |
| Each dependent child | $171 |
You will have 90 days to complete the requirements or your application will be lost. Once you submit all the required documents, Quebec immigration officials will evaluate everything you have submitted based on the scoring system outlined in the previous section of this article.
In the end, you may receive an immediate approval, an immediate rejection, or an interview invitation. If your interview is successful, you will receive a Selection Certificate or you will be rejected. If rejected, you will have to restart the application from the beginning.
Apply for permanent residence with the Canadian Government
The Province of Quebec has the authority to select skilled workers who will contribute to the Quebec economy with their skills. However, the Government of Canada is responsible for whether or not to grant permanent residence to those skilled workers. So, after passing stage one and receiving Certificate of Selection from Quebec, you must be approved for permanent residence by the Canadian Government.
Once you are selected, the Government of Canada will send you an application package containing the application forms you need to fill out and a list of supporting documents. Forms may include the following:
-
- Document Checklist [IMM 5690]
- Common Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
- Dependents/Additional Declaration [IMM 0008DEP]
- Appendix A—Basic Information/Declaration [IMM 5669]
- Additional Family Information [IMM 5406] (PDF, 570KB) September 2018
- Appendix 5: Economic class—Declaration of intention to reside in Quebec
- Additional Information—Your Trip [IMM 5562]
- Declaration of separation for minors traveling to Canada [IMM 5604]
- Statutory Declaration of the Common Law Union [IMM 5409]
- Using of a representative [IMM 5476]
- Application for permanent residence: Guide for applicants selected by Quebec [IMM EQ7000]
Fill out these forms and collect documents and submit them via the Government of Canada website. You will also have to pay the following fees:
| Fee type | Fees (in Canadian dollars) |
| Registration fee | $550 |
| Permanent residence fee | $490 |
| Includes spouse or de facto spouse | $1,040 |
| Include dependent children (per child) | $150 |
After submitting a complete application, you may be asked to provide biometric information, hold an interview, complete a medical examination, or submit additional information. If the Government of Canada finds that you are admissible and meet all the criteria to become a Canadian permanent resident in Quebec, they will send you a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent residence visa.
Overall, the process to become a Quebec Selected Skilled Worker will take approximately 17 months. You can then begin to arrange travel and housing in Quebec, where you will settle.