Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program
The Canadian province of Quebec is a top destination for immigrants from around the globe.
For example, out of the 483,591 people who were approved for Canadian immigration and issued a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada in 2024, there were 59,900 (12.3% of the total) who decided to move to Quebec.
It should be of no surprise that so many individuals who immigrate to Canada choose to make Quebec their new home, since this scenic province has a large immigrant population; incredible cities (such as Montreal, Quebec City and Trois-Riveres); a strong economy; unique French-Canadian culture; and a high standard of living!
Key Facts about Immigration to Quebec
For historical, cultural, political and other reasons, the Canadian province of Quebec has its own special program for immigration to Canada.
Thus, if you want to enjoy all that this amazing province has to offer, you must first meet the criteria established by Quebec’s provincial government before you may apply to the Canadian national government for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
If this sounds a bit complicated, don’t worry!
The authorized immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert can provide you with an expert evaluation that will inform you as to whether you meet the criteria (provincial and national) for immigration to Quebec through the Skilled Worker Selection Program as well as possible eligibility for other Canadian immigration programs.
The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program was created to attract qualified skilled foreign workers to immigrate to Canada so they can use their education, job skills, work experience and other talents to contribute to this province’s economy and society.
In order to increase the likelihood that foreign nationals will be a “good fit” for Quebec and have the best opportunity for success, Quebec’s government has established specific criteria that applicants for Canadian immigration must first meet before they may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada through Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program.
The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program has four “streams” or pathways available to qualified skilled foreign workers and each has its own requirements:
- Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
- Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
- Stream 3: Regulated Professions
- Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
If Quebec’s provincial government decides that you match the selection criteria desired for skilled foreign workers in its province and issues you a Quebec Selection Certificate, known in French as a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), you may then proceed to apply to the national government for Canadian immigration and a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
CanadianVisaExpert.com can provide you with an evaluation of your potential eligibility for immigration to Quebec.
If you are eligible, the authorized Canadian immigration consultants we work with can also use their expertise to help you through each stage of the application process, making sure everything is done correctly, until you are issued your Permanent Resident Visa to Canada!
Stage One: Quebec Selection
During Stage One, applicants will be submitting the required forms and documents to Quebec’s immigration officials with the goal of receiving the Quebec Selection Certificate.
The Quebec Selection Certificate, known in French as the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), is required in order to apply for immigration to Canada through the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program.
In general, the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program procedure involves:
- filing the Expression of Interest on Quebec’s Arrima online portal
- receiving an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Selection
- submitting the application for Permanent Selection with the documents and fees
- providing the “Attestation” to demonstrate knowledge of the democratic values and Quebec values expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
- receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate
If Quebec’s provincial government issues you a Quebec Selection Certificate, this means that they think that your personal profile matches what they are looking for in terms of your education, work experience, language skills, age and other factors.
Once you receive your Quebec Selection Certificate, you may then proceed to the final step of the process for Quebec immigration, which is to apply to the Canadian national government for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
Stage Two: Applying for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada
Even if you have been issued the Quebec Selection Certificate by the provincial government of Quebec stating that they have chosen you and your eligible family members for immigration to Quebec, only the Canadian national government can approve you and your eligible family members for Canadian immigration by granting you a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
Therefore, after receiving your Quebec Selection Certificate, you must next submit your application for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada to the Canadian national government for final processing and approval.
You and the family members who will accompany you to Quebec will need to pass all of the criteria for immigration to Canada required by the Canadian national government, such as the medical and character requirements, plus pay the appropriate fees.
To simplify the Canadian immigration process for you and your eligible family members, and make sure everything is done accurately and submitted correctly, the immigration consultants who collaborate with Canadian Visa Expert can provide you with personalized professional assistance through each stage of the process until you are issued your Permanent Resident Visa to Canada and authorized to start your new life in beautiful Quebec!
