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QUEBEC IMMIGRATION PROGRAM

The name ‘Quebec’, tracing its roots to an Algonquian word meaning “where the river narrows”, was first used for describing the narrowing of the St Lawrence river near what is presently the City of Quebec.

Over the years, Quebec has been referred to by various names at different points in time, such as Canada, New France, Lower Canada, and Canada East.

With the provincial motto of Je me souviens (I remember), Quebec has a rich historical background indeed.

Quebec is the largest of the 10 provinces that make up Canada, second only to Ontario in terms of the total population.

Quebec’s capital – Quebec City – is regarded as being the oldest city in Canada.

Other prominent cities in Quebec province are Montréal, Laval, Terrebonne, Gatineau, Longueuil, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay and Lévis.

With a greater autonomy over the selection of newcomers into the province, Quebec is the only Canadian province that is not a part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

In order to meet the needs and the particular situation of Quebec, the Canada–Québec Accord relates to the –

Selection of individuals that wish to reside (temporarily or permanently) in Quebec,
Their admission into Canada,
Their integration into Quebec society, and
The determination of levels of immigration to Quebec.

Despite there being no such thing as Quebec PNP, the province does have its own immigration program for the induction of newcomers.

Generally, a 2-step immigration process must be followed by foreign nationals looking at pathways to settling within Quebec.

Basic 2-step Quebec immigration process

STEP 1: The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) selects candidates that it finds to be likeliest to successfully settle in Quebec.

STEP 2: Selected candidates will be issued a Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ), attesting the selection of the candidates by the MIFI.

This CSQ will be required for filing Canadian permanent residence form with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Quebec immigration programs have selection criteria different from that of the other Canadian immigration programs, both at the federal as well as the provincial level.

Quebec Immigration programs

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Quebec Self-Employed

Validated Job Offer

Foreign nationals interested in immigrating to Quebec as skilled workers will be required to begin the process with the creation of their Expression of Interest profile through the Arrima Portal.

The Quebec EOI system, managed through the Arrima Portal, includes an evaluation of the candidates as per the Selection Grid for the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

In order to immigrate to Canada and settle within Quebec, an individual will require a Certificat de sélection du Québec or CSQ. Also referred to as a Québec Selection Certificate.

Obtaining a CSQ is a pre-requisite before being able to submit to IRCC for Canadian permanent residence.

Quebec – Invitations through Arrima in February 2022

Total Invitations: 523

Invitation Dates

Number of Invitations issued

February 10, 2022

523

So far, 14 Arrima draws have been held by Quebec. The first Arrima draw was held on July 4, 2019.

All Arrima draws [since the launch of the program in September 2018]
No. of draw	Invitation Dates	Number of Invitations issued
1	July 4, 2019	691
2	July 17, 2019	259
3	August 19, 2019	444
4	September 4, 2019	32
5	September 25, 2019	169
6	October 23, 2019	89
7	October 29, 2019	73
8	December 12, 2019	85
9	December 17, 2019	220
10	January 16, 2020	23
11	June 18, 2020	7
12	September 24, 2020	365
13	December 16, 2020	233
14	January 26, 2021	95
15	March 30, 2021	208
16	April 29, 2021	83
17	May 27, 2021	90
18	June 17, 2021	69
19	August 12, 2021	515
20	August 19, 2021	502
21	August 26, 2021	585
22	September 2, 2021	517
23	October 21, 2021	23
24	November 11, 2021	33

Y-AXIS CAN HELP YOU WITH

Qualification / Education Assessment
Customized checklist of requirements
Guidance on key requirements
Filing of an online form to create a profile for Invitation

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FAQ

What is Arrima?

Launched in 2018, Arrima is an online portal for managing Quebec immigration candidates.

How does Quebec’s Arrima Portal work?

Arrima is an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Those interested in migrate overseas to Quebec will be required to submit an EOI to Arrima to be considered. Selected candidates will then be invited to submit an candidate.

How much does it cost to create an EOI on Arrima?

Use of the Arrima Portal is completely free.

Is Quebec’s Arrima Portal only for the Regular Skilled Worker Program?

Arrima is intended for individuals that wish to immigrate to Quebec – temporarily or permanently – under the Regular Skilled Worker Program, International Student Program, and the Quebec Experience Program.

What can I do in Arrima?

Depending upon the program, there are different procedures that can be carried out through Arrima. These are –

Regular Skilled Worker Program: create profile to submit and update EOI.
Quebec Experience Program: create profile for submission of Canada Permanent Residency form, submission and fees payment.
International Student Program: a foreign student that has submitted their form for temporary selection for studies can create their Arrima profile for the submission of their supporting forms and certificates.

What are the new permanent immigration pilot programs announced by the government of Quebec?

Three permanent immigration pilot programs have been announced by Quebec. These are –

For workers in food processing, to come into effect on March 24, 2021 and run until January 1, 2026
For orderlies (NOC 3413), to come into effect on March 31, 2021 and run until January 1, 2026.
For workers in sectors of AI, informational technology, and visual effects; to come into effect on April 22, 2021 and close on January 1, 2026.

Can I settle in Quebec through the Provincial Nominee Program [PNP] of Canada?

No. Quebec is not a part of Canada’s PNP and has no Quebec PNP program as such.

What are the details of the immigration programs under Quebec PNP?

Quebec has a variety of immigration programs that enable qualified individuals to obtain permanent residence in Canada. The federal government has given Quebec much greater control in terms of immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration systems are often considered differently than those of other provinces.

There are three categories under Quebec’s PNP, these are:

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec Experience Class (PEQ)

Business Immigration

The most popular among these is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program or the QSWP.

Tell me more about the QSWP.

Quebec offers the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)through which many immigration candidates submission to move to this Canadian province. The Quebec points calculator makes sure to ensure the right persons are selected under the program to move to Quebec.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers who choose to move to Quebec and live there. Workers who meet the above-mentioned ability specifications and other criteria are admitted into this program.

What are the eligibility criteria for Quebec Skilled Worker Program?

The candidate should meet the following eligibility criteria if he wants to migrate to Quebec under the QSWP:
The candidate should receive at least one diploma that meets the educational requirement in Quebec.
The candidate should have had training and the required skills in the relevant field, making it easy for candidates to find a job on the Canadian job market.
The candidate have to demonstrate his / her intention to work and settle in the province.

Under the points calculator, the candidate for a Quebec Skilled Worker Visa, will be assessed on the following factors and given the respective points under the Quebec Points Calculator.

Age
Education
Language Proficiency
Work Experience
Accompanying Children
Valid Job Offer

What is a Quebec Selection Certificate/Certificat du sélection du Québec (CSQ)?

A CSQ is a form that eligible candidates to Quebec immigration programs receive to prove that they have been chosen for immigration to the province. With a CSQ, an candidate are eligible for permanent residence with the federal government. The CSQ is not a permit for permanent residency and cannot be used to enter Canada.

How soon can one get a CSQ?

The time it takes to get a CSQ varies depending on the candidate. Many factors affect the completion of the procedure and the issuance of a CSQ certificate, so the candidate should be vigilant when filling out the candidate and adding forms to prevent delays in the process.

How is the immigration process to Quebec different from other immigration programs in Canada?

Quebec is in charge of deciding the immigrants will be allowed to live in the province. Candidates must first receive a CSQ in order to immigrate to Quebec. It’s important to remember that a CSQ isn’t the same as a permanent residence permit. Candidates’ qualifications are assessed at the provincial level after they request an candidate for a CSQ.

After gaining approval at the provincial level (in the form of the CSQ), the candidate should submit for medical and security checks at the federal level. The candidate receives permanent residence after being approved at the federal level.

Why is the Quebec PNP different from other PNPs in Canada?

The ability and willingness of a candidate to settle and work in Quebec, as well as adjust to life in the province, determines his or her chances of being chosen by the province. Since 1991, when the province signed the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has had the freedom to determine its own conditions for immigrant selection.

Immigrants are also selected based on Quebec’s own requirements, which is an essential part of the province’s identity. The right to travel freely in Canada, as defined by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is preserved in the Canada-Quebec Accord.