Canada Quebec Skilled Worker Visa

The Quebec skilled migration class for Canadian permanent residence is an option for skilled immigration to Quebec, which compares to the Canadian skilled workers visa used in other Canadian provinces.

Both programmers provide points based routes to Canadian Immigration, which offer permanent residency status for workers with desirable skills.

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, in matters of immigration, Quebec takes a key role in determining which immigrants settle in the province based on their ability to adapt to living in Quebec.

If you wish to immigrate to Quebec but do not meet the requirements of this route, you may still be able to live and work in Canada permanently if you apply for a Canadian visa of another kind.

As a Canadian immigration consultancy, We can help you move to Quebec, and help you decide which of the range of visas for Canada and Canadian work permits is most appropriate for your needs.

Which ever route you choose to relocate to Quebec, this site can provide a complete Canadian visa service taking care of everything you will require for your relocation to Canada from immigration lawyer expertise, detailed information on the processes of immigration and more.

Benefits

As with the federal version of the skilled working visa for Canadian permanent residence, applying for a Quebec skilled worker visa for Canada affords unrestricted access to the domestic job market without the need for a Canadian work permit, a sponsoring employer, or a specific job offer.

Unlike the range of Canadian visit visas and tourist visas for Canada, this route is intended as a permanent Canadian visa for immigration. In accordance with this, no restrictions are placed upon the type of work that successful applicants may undertake.

Eligibility Criteria

The Quebec immigration selection system for this type of visa calculates a candidate's ability to become economically established and to integrate and adapt to Quebec culture.

Applicants must successfully score a minimum of 60 points, or 68 for an applicant bringing a spouse or common-law partner in order to gain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

However, under this route, visa applications are still subject to assessment by the Canada immigration service body, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, (CIC).

CIC will require documentary evidence to demonstrate your ability to support yourself and your family and to prove that you do not have any criminal convictions.

The Points System

Immigration visas for Quebec assesses candidates on the ten selection factors set out below:

Factor 1 - Education

A successful Quebec skilled working visa application awards a maximum of nineteen points based on the level of education achieved by a candidate.

 PhD. = 11 points

 Master's Degree = 11 points

 Bachelor's Degree (4 years full-time) = 9 points

 Bachelor's Degree (3 years full-time) = 8 points

 Bachelor's Degree (2 years full-time) = 7 points

 Bachelor's Degree (1 year full-time) = 7 points

 Post-secondary Diploma (3 years full-time) = 7 points

 Post-secondary Diploma (2 years full-time) = 5 points

 Post-secondary Diploma (1 year full-time) = 4 points

 High School Diploma = 3 points

Second Specialty

 Diploma (2 years full-time) = 4 points

 Diploma (1 year full-time) = 2 points

Favoured Training

Favoured Training = 4 points

Factor 2 - Employment

This factor is crucial to your Quebec visa application and accounts for a maximum of 15 points. However, a minimum of 8 points is essential to qualify.

Points in this section are awarded via one of the routes below:

• Quebec Immigration - Assured Job Programme - 15 points
• Occupations in Demand - 12 points
•  Employability and Occupational Mobility - 8 points

Quebec Immigration Assured Job program

This programmer applies where a job offer has been made - To gain 15 points under this route, applicants must:

• Be in possession of a job offer from a Quebec employer which has been approved by the Quebec immigration service authorities.
• Be able to satisfy the requirements of the position.
• Have occupied a similar position for at least six months during the ten years prior to the application.
• Commit to occupying the job on arrival in Quebec.

The programmer also places responsibility on the Quebec employer who must:

•   Have been in business for at least 12 months in the province.
•   Agree to reserve the position in question for the applicant.
•   Be able to prove that the position could not be filled from the domestic labour market and that a Quebec based candidate could not have been trained within the period of a year or less.

NB: The last requirement is not necessary for the following exempted professions:

Computer engineers (except Software Engineers), computer systems analysts and consultants, electrical and electronics engineers, machinists and machining and tooling inspectors - setter-operators for computer controlled machine tools, mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, software engineer

Occupations in Demand

Shortage occupations present a greater likelihood of an applicant finding employment.

A list of such industries is provided below. In each category an applicant must intend to practice in the profession upon arrival and must have filled a similar role for at least six months in the period prior to application.

• Aircraft Instrument, Electrical and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians and Inspectors
• Chemical Engineers
• Chemical Technologists and Technicians
• Chemists
• Computer Engineers, except Software Engineers
• Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
•  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
•  Electrical and Electronics Engineers
•  Electronic Service Technicians (Household and Business Equipment)
•  Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
•  Industrial Designers
•  Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics
•  Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
•  Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors
•  Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries
•  Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
•  Mechanical Engineers
•  Other Professional Engineers
•  Physicists and Astronomers
•  Software Engineers
•  Tool and Die Makers

Employability and Occupational Mobility

This category of Quebec visas for immigration assesses an applicant's credentials based upon education, work experience, age, language ability, time spent in Quebec, ties to Quebec and spouse situation. A minimum of 30 points must be reached. If a candidate is successful, the points are translated into the minimum 8-point requirement for the employment section of the Quebec skilled work visa.

Factor 3 - Work Experience

Work experience is another essential area under the Quebec immigration selection system for visas for skilled workers.

It is worth up to ten points with a minimum of one point. Work experience must have been conducted within the ten years prior to the application.

•  5 years + = 10 points
•  4 years and 6 months = 9 points
•  4 years = 8 points
•  3 years and 6 months = 7 points
•  3 years = 6 points
•  2 years and 6 months = 5 points
•  2 years = 4 points
•  1 year and 6 months = 3 points
•  1 year = 2 points
•  6 months (Minimum requirement) = 1 point

Factor 4 - Age

Up to ten points are awarded for age, distributed as follows:

•  46 years or more = 0
• 40 to 45 years = 1 point
• 39 years = 2 points
• 38 years = 4 points
• 37 years = 6 points
• 36 years = 8 points
• 20 to 35 years = 10 points
• 19 years or less = 0

Factor 5 - Language proficiency

In Canada, immigration visas for workers with desirable skills consider candidates' ability in the English and French languages. In Quebec, greater emphasis is put upon the latter.

Points are awarded per ability for listening and speaking. This category can be worth up to 24 points:

French Language

•  High (per ability) 7-8 points
•  Moderate (per ability) 3-6 points
•  Basic (per ability) 1-2 points
•  Maximum 16 points

English Language

•   High proficiency (per ability) 3 points
•   Moderate proficiency (per ability) 2 points
•   Basic proficiency (per ability) 1 point
•   Maximum 6 points

French Education

•   High School or higher 2 points
•   Maximum 2 points

Factor 6 - Visits to and Ties with Quebec

Canada visas for Quebec immigration award a maximum of 9 points under this criterion as follows:

Previous Visits to Quebec

•    Full-time training for at least 1 semester = 4 points
•    Full-time training for at least 2 semesters = 6 points
•    Paid work equivalent to at least 3 months = 4 points
•    Paid Work equivalent to at least 6 months = 6 points
•    Government approved internship of at least 3 months = 5 points
•    Government approved internship of at least 6 months = 6 points
•    Visit equivalent to 2 weeks to 3 months = 1 points
•     Visit equivalent to 3 months or more = 3 points

Ties with Quebec

In this section, a relative from the list below must be a permanent Canadian resident or Canadian citizen and must reside in Quebec to be considered valid.

•    Mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son, spouse or common law/conjugal partner = 3 points
•    Grandparent = 2 points
•    Other relative or friend = 1 point

Factor 7 - Spousal characteristics

Spouse and fiancé immigration to Canada is permitted under this type of Canadian visa application and a maximum of 17 points can be awarded according to the circumstances and skills of your spouse or common law/conjugal partner.

Education

•    High School Diploma = 2 points
•    Post-secondary Diploma - 1 year full-time = 3 points
•    Bachelor's Degree - 3 years full-time = 4 points
•    Favoured Training = 1 point
•    Second Specialty = 1 point

Work Experience

•  6 months = 1 point
•  1 year or more = 2 points

Age

•    46 years or more = 0
•    40 to 45 years = 1 point
•    20 to 39 years = 2 points
•    19 years or less = 0

French Proficiency

•     Basic (per ability) = 1 point
•     Moderate (per ability) = 2-3 points
•     High (per ability) = 4 points

Factor 8 - Presence of accompanying children

A maximum of 8 points can be added to Quebec visa applications if children are included in the application.

•     12 years or less (per child) = 2 points
•     13 to 17 years (per child) = 1 point

Factor 9 - Financial Autonomy

This category awards only 1 point but it is an essential requirement of immigration to Quebec. Candidates must meet the minimum financial requirements for financial independence.

Factor 10 - Adaptability

A maximum of 10 points are awarded for a candidate's ability to adapt to living and working in Quebec.

Points are awarded as follows:

•     Personal qualities = 0-6 points
•     Motivation = 0-2 points
•     Knowledge of the province of Quebec = 0-2 points.