There are approximately 821,735 immigrants from Africa living in Canada, including 166,155 from West Africa, according to the Canadian government’s statistics agency.
Among the thousands of immigrants from West African countries, many are moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast).
French is one of the more than 70 languages used in Côte d’Ivoire, spoken by about one third of the country’s population, so it is not surprising that thousands of people have been emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec – Canada’s mostly French-speaking province.
People are emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec for other reasons as well, such as to find good-paying Canadian jobs, get a world-class education and enjoy a high quality of life.
This article will discuss emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec, including some of the top reasons to do so and the most popular Québec immigration program for skilled foreign workers and their families, so keep reading for all of the essential information!
Table of Contents
Why Immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire?
There are several reasons to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire, including:
- Québec welcomes about 50,000 new Canadian permanent residents to live in Québec each year.
- 6,974 people born in Côte d’Ivoire immigrated to Québec during the past 5 years (2018-2022).
- There is a large community of expats from Côte d’Ivoire living in Québec.
- Most of Québec’s residents speak French, so it is a good match for Côte d’Ivoire’s French-speakers.
- Québec has the second largest economy in Canada (after Ontario) and one of the lowest unemployment rates.
- Skilled foreign workers are in high demand to help fill thousands of available jobs in Québec.
- The cost of living and housing in Québec is more affordable than in other areas of Canada.
- Canadian permanent residents and citizens living in Québec receive free public healthcare.
- Québec has a special French-Canadian culture that offers a taste of Europe, but is uniquely Québec’s.
- As the largest province in Canada, Québec has a diversity of scenery and outdoor activities.
- Canadian permanent residents living in Québec can buy a home and start a business there.
- Some of the world’s best universities are in Québec (e.g., McGill University, the University of Montreal, etc.).
- Canada is one of the world’s most peaceful countries and Québec is one of the safest places to live in Canada.
- Canadian permanent residents can apply for citizenship after living in Canada for 3 years during a 5-year period.
Requirements to Immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire
In general, around 50,000 people immigrate to Québec each year from countries around the world.
During 2022, 68,704 individuals were approved for immigration to Québec, including 1,822 people born in Côte d’Ivoire.
One of the most popular pathways for emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec as a skilled foreign worker is through the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP or RSWP).
The Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program uses a points system requiring a single applicant to receive a minimum of 50 out of 103 points and an applicant with a spouse or partner to get at least 59 out of 120 points.
Points can be gained for these selection factors:
- Education = 26 points
- French and/or English Language Skills = 22 points
- Characteristics of Spouse or Partner = 17 points
- Age = 16 points
- Qualifying Job Offer in Québec = 14 points
- Work Experience = 8 points
- Prior Stay in Québec / Having Family in Québec = 8 points
- Having Children = 8 points
- Sufficient Financial Resources = 1 point
There are other eligibility requirements for emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec, such as being in good health, having good character and other criteria.
NOTE: Skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Québec will generally need to demonstrate that they have at least intermediate level French language skills.
The procedure for emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec generally involves the following major steps:
- Learn if you are eligible to apply for the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP).
- File an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for the QSWP/RSWP using Québec’s Arrima online portal.
- If you receive an invitation, application can be made for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
- Once the CSQ is issued, there will be 60 days to apply for permanent residency with the Canadian immigration agency.
- Medical exam results, police certificates and other documents must be provided.
- Governmental fees need to be paid.
- If the Canadian immigration agency approves your application, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) and must immigrate to Québec while the COPR is still valid.
Visa Programs to Emigrate from Côte d'Ivoire to Québec:
- Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program – for skilled foreign workers and their families
- Permanent Immigration Pilot Program – for workers in the artificial intelligence (AI), information technologies and visual effects sectors who want to immigrate to Québec
- Québec Experience Program – for foreign students who graduated from a qualifying educational program in Québec or temporary foreign workers who have qualifying work experience in Québec
Immigration to Québec from Côte d'Ivoire: How much Does It Cost?
There are governmental fees and other expenses associated with emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec.
Governmental Fees:
- QSWP/RSWP Permanent Selection Application Processing Fee:
- Main Applicant = $869 CAD
- Spouse/Partner = $186 CAD
- Dependent Child – $186 CAD per child
- Canadian Permanent Residency Application Processing Fee:
- Main Applicant = $850 CAD
- Spouse/Partner = $850 CAD
- Dependent Child = $230 CAD per child
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee:
- Main Applicant = $515 CAD
- Spouse/Partner = $515 CAD
- Dependent Child = $230 CAD per child
- Biometrics Fee:
- One Person = $85 CAD
- Family of Two or More People = $170 CAD
- Permanent Resident Card Fee = $50 CAD per person
Please note that these governmental fees were effective as of December 2023 and are subject to change.
Non-Governmental Expenses:
- Medical Exam(s) for the main applicant and each family member
- Police Certificate(s)
- Translation of Required Documents into French or English (if not in one of those two official Canadian languages)
- Travel Expenses for moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire
- Money to support yourself and your family after emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec
Conclusion
There are approximately 821,735 immigrants from African countries living in Canada, including several thousand who have been approved for emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec.
Skilled foreign workers from Côte d’Ivoire are in a strong position for emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec, since about one third of Côte d’Ivoire’s population speaks French and French is the primary language used in Québec.
Of course, all of the eligibility requirements must be satisfied in order to be approved for immigration to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire.
It is worth noting that skilled foreign workers are needed all across Canada and there are other Canadian immigration programs available for people who want to live and work outside of Québec in the other Canadian provinces and territories such as the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
How can you know which Canadian immigration program is right for you?
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and also guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.
You can learn which specific Canadian immigration program you are eligible to apply for, receive assistance in properly preparing your applications and documents for correct submission, and get answers to questions you have about your particular case.
The first step is to receive your Eligibility Evaluation.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is it hard to immigrate to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire?
Immigration to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire is a rather complex procedure which involves several steps. An individual needs to find out which particular Canadian immigration he or she is in the strongest position to apply for, there are several eligibility requirements to satisfy, everything must be done correctly and the entire process takes time. Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can simplify the process for you to apply for immigration to Canada, make sure the forms and documents are filed correctly and answer questions you have about the process.
Do I need a job offer letter to immigrate to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire?
A job offer letter from a Canadian employer is generally not a requirement for immigration to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire. There are, however, some points-based Canadian immigration programs (such as the QSWP/RSWP and FSWP) that give points to foreign workers with a qualifying Canadian job offer. Thus, receiving points for a valid job offer in Canada could help an applicant to reach the minimum required points score for such visa programs. Furthermore, candidates in the Express Entry pool may be able to increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if they receive a qualifying job offer in Canada. Foreign workers who want to apply for a temporary Canadian work permit will usually need a valid job offer in Canada as part of that process.
How much money do I need to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire?
In regards to showing that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family after moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire, for the QSWP (as of December 2023) one adult will need at least $3,588 CAD for basic needs for the first three months, while two adults must have a minimum of $5,261 CAD for basic needs for the first three months. One adult with one child will need at least $4,822 CAD for the first three months, while two adults with one child will require a minimum of $5,894 CAD for the same period of time. One adult with two children will require a minimum of $5,441 CAD for the first three months, while two adults with two children will need at least $6,361 CAD for the first 90-day period. Larger families will need to have more money. Keep in mind that these are the minimum amounts required for basic needs during the first three months living in Québec and you and your family may need additional financial resources, depending on where you live, your lifestyle preferences, etc. You will also need enough money to pay for moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire, such as airline tickets, shipping your possessions (if necessary), etc.
How do you qualify for immigration to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire?
In general, a skilled foreign worker who wants to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the relevant immigration program, such as the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP). The QSWP is a points-based Québec immigration program requiring at least 50 points for a single applicant or 59 points for an applicant who has a spouse/partner. Points can be received for various selection factors, such as education, French/English language skills, work experience, etc. Starting in 2023, skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Québec must show that they have at least intermediate level French language skills. Good health, good character and other criteria must also be met. Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire as well as for other Canadian immigration programs.
What is the fastest way to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire?
The fastest way to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire as a new Canadian permanent resident is through the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP). In general, it takes about 12-18 months from start to finish to complete all of the steps of the process. According to the Québec immigration agency: “Most applications for permanent selection in the RSWP are processed within 6 months. The processing time begins when the Ministry receives your application.” After an applicant for the QSWP/RSWP receives the Québec Selection Certificate or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), they will have up to 60 days to file a complete application for Canadian permanent residency with Canada’s federal immigration agency. It can take several months after that to receive a decision from the Canadian immigration agency regarding your application for permanent residency in Canada. Once approved for Canadian immigration through the QSWP/RSWP, you and your family will be able to live, study and work in Québec as permanent residents of Canada!
