Around 50,000 people immigrate to Quebec each year through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
The QSWP is a points-based Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers and their family members who want to live and work in Quebec.
There is strong interest by many people around the world regarding the requirements, application procedure and processing time for Quebec immigration through the QSWP.
This article will provide you with an overview of the QSWP and discuss how long the Quebec Skilled Worker Program takes to apply for, so continue reading for all the essential details!
Table of Contents
Overview of the QSWP
Key Facts about Immigration to Quebec
- Quebec is Canada’s largest province, has the country’s second largest economy and enjoys low unemployment.
- French is the primary language spoken by 95% of Quebec’s 8.8 million residents, while about 13% speak English.
- Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, with 1.8 million residents in the city and 4.3 million in the metro area.
- In 2022, there were 68,700 people approved for Quebec immigration through various programs.
- There is a strong demand for skilled foreign workers to fill various types of jobs in Quebec.
- The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in Quebec.
- Applicants and their family members who are approved for the QSWP are granted Canadian permanent residency.
- These new Canadian permanent residents will live and work in Quebec.
How Do You Apply for the QSWP?
- The QSWP is a points-based Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers and their families.
- Single applicants require a minimum of 50 points and applicants with a spouse/partner need at least 59 points.
- Points can be received for French/English proficiency, age, experience, education, Quebec connection, spouse factors, having children, qualifying job offer in Quebec, and possessing sufficient financial resources.
- To apply for the QSWP, you must be 18 years of age or older and have at least intermediate French language skills.
- The first major step is to file an Expression of Interest (EOI) with your details on Quebec’s Arrima online portal.
- If you get an invitation from the Quebec immigration officials, you can apply for permanent selection.
- When you get the Certificat de sélection du Québec, you will have 60 days to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
- Application for permanent residency in Canada is made with the federal Canadian immigration agency.
- You will need to satisfy the good health, good character and other federal Canadian immigration criteria.
- The governmental fees must be paid to the Quebec immigration and federal Canadian immigration authorities.
- The required documents must also be provided to the Quebec immigration and federal Canadian immigration officials.
- A Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) will be issued to you if approved for Canadian permanent residency.
- You and your family will then immigrate to Canada as permanent residents and settle in the province of Quebec!
Processing Time for Quebec Immigration
The processing time for Quebec immigration through the QSWP generally takes up to 24 months from the time an Expression of Interest (EOI) is filed to the time a decision is received from the federal immigration agency regarding Canadian permanent residency.
You must first file an Expression of Interest (EOI) using Quebec’s Arrima online portal and then your details will be reviewed by Quebec immigration officials.
After you receive an invitation, you will need to apply for permanent selection with the Quebec immigration officials, provide the required documents and pay the provincial governmental fees.
It usually takes six months or less to process an application for permanent selection through the QSWP and if approved, you will receive the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
Once you receive the CSQ, you will have up to 60 days to apply for Canadian permanent residency with Canada’s federal immigration agency, provide the supporting documents and pay the governmental fees to the federal Canadian immigration agency.
A decision about Canadian permanent residency, which is made by Canada’s federal immigration agency, is generally received within about 17 months when applying through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), however, this could change over time.
What Can I Do to Simplify and Shorten the QSWP Application Process?
You may be able to simplify and shorten the QSWP application process by:
- Making sure you complete your online applications correctly (i.e., EOI, permanent selection and Canadian PR applications)
- Preparing for and taking an approved French language evaluation exam
- Providing all of the documents required by the Quebec immigration and Canadian immigration officials in a timely manner
- Receiving guidance from an authorized immigration consultant, licensed Canadian lawyer or notary who is a member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec
Conclusion
Quebec is a great place to live in Canada, offering good job opportunities and a high quality of life.
This mostly French-speaking province has a unique French-Canadian charm that attracts thousands of immigrants and tourists every year.
There are multiple steps involved when applying for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP or RSWP) and the processing time for Quebec immigration can take several months from start to finish.
Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for the QSWP and other Canadian immigration programs, as well as guide you through the application process if you qualify.
The Canadian Visa Expert team can simplify the complex Canadian immigration process for you, make sure your forms and documents are filed correctly and answer any questions you may have about your case.
So, what are you waiting for? Around 50,000 people immigrate to Quebec through the QSWP each year and you could be one of them!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is Quebec accepting immigrants?
Yes – approximately 50,000 skilled foreign workers and their family members immigrate to Quebec each year.
How long does the Quebec Skilled Worker Program take to process?
It generally takes about six months to process an application for permanent selection, however, the entire Quebec immigration process from start to finish can take up to 24 months. First, you need to file an Expression of Interest (EOI) using Quebec’s online Arrima portal. Your EOI can remain in the EOI ‘bank’ for up to 12 months. If you receive an invitation during that time, you can apply for permanent selection and a decision about issuing the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) is usually made within six months. After you receive the CSQ from the Quebec immigration officials, you will have up to 60 days to apply for Canadian permanent residency with Canada’s federal immigration agency. A decision about whether to approve Canadian permanent residency through the QSWP can take up to 17 months.
How long does it take to get a work permit in Quebec, Canada?
It can take several months to get a work permit in Quebec. In general, you must get a qualifying offer of employment in Quebec. Next, you will need to complete an application for temporary selection and provide it along with the necessary documents to the employer in Quebec. If the employer’s offer of employment and other necessary documentation are approved by the Quebec immigration officials, they will send to you two copies of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (QAC). Then, you can apply for the work permit in Quebec and pay the required governmental fees. The processing time for the work permit depends on your country of citizenship and other factors, but is generally takes several weeks.
Is Quebec immigration easier than other programs?
This depends of various factors. For example, you are not required to have a ‘connection’ to Quebec to apply for the QSWP (although you can receive points if you do have a connection to Quebec), whereas many of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) require a connection to the province (such as having lived there in the past as an international student or temporary foreign worker or having family there). On the other hand, the main applicant for the QSWP must have at least intermediate level French language skills (as of 2023) which may not be an issue for some immigrants, but could be a problem for others who do not know French very well. Receiving Canadian permanent residency through the QSWP may be easier than with the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). However, Express Entry immigration to Canada is generally faster for applicants who qualify for the FSWP than applying for Canadian immigration via the QSWP (which is not eligible for Express Entry).
Can I apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program without a job offer?
Yes – you can apply for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) without a job offer; however, you could get points for this points-based Canadian immigration program if you do have a qualifying offer of employment in Quebec. Having an offer of employment in Quebec could also make you a more attractive candidate for Quebec immigration (or at least for a work permit in Quebec).
What is the minimum score for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program?
A single applicant needs to get at least 50 points, while an applicant who has a spouse or partner must receive a minimum of 59 points. Points can be received for English/French proficiency, age, experience, education, Quebec connection, spouse factors, having children, qualifying job offer in Quebec, and possessing sufficient financial resources.
How long does it take to receive a work permit after approval in Canada?
If you are approved to work in Canada as a temporary foreign worker and you applied for a work permit from outside of Canada, you will receive an approval letter known as a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction. When you arrive in Canada at the port of entry (usually an international airport), you will show your Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (i.e., approval letter) to the CBSA officer. The work permit issued by the CBSA officer at the port of entry in Canada will generally detail the employer you are allowed to work for, what kind of work you can do, where you are permitted to work and how long you can work in Canada.
Why is Canada Express Entry taking so long?
There was a temporary backlog of applications during the COVID-19 global pandemic, due to lockdowns, international travel restrictions and other issues. The Canadian immigration agency has reported, however, that decisions about Express Entry immigration to Canada are being processed once again in six months or less after a complete application for Canadian permanent residency has been correctly filed. If you created an Express Entry online profile and were placed in the pool of candidates, you must wait to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency. Once you get an ITA for Express Entry, you will have up to 60 days to file your Canadian permanent residency application and should then receive a decision within six months.
