The Quebec immigration selection system for Quebec Skilled Workers is designed to identify immigration candidates who are most likely to become economically established in the province. The new system will replace the current first-come, the first-served application process for the Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP).
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program Process
1. Candidates submit a declaration of interest to Quebec immigration.
2. Quebec Immigration invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
3. Candidates receiving an invitation then submit their completed application to the Quebec immigration ministry for a CSQ.
4. Once Quebec Immigration issues the CSQ, candidates submit the federal application.
How candidates will be ranked in Quebec’s Expression of Interest Bank
Any foreign national 18 or older may submit an Expression of Interest to the province. Once candidates enter the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank, Quebec groups them under two categories:
1.) Candidates with a connection to Quebec
2.) Candidates residing outside Quebec
In each category, Quebec assigns candidates points across various factors.
Candidates with a connection to Quebec
This group is for candidates with a job offer in Quebec or who are residing in the province with the primary goal of attaining employment while on a work permit and have a Quebec-approved degree or six months of full-time work experience and are currently working full-time in the province.
Candidates in this group will be assigned a score based on the following seven factors: Age, Quebec Diploma, Canadian or United States work experience, French language proficiency, knowledge of other languages, education level, and a spouse or common-law partner’s education level and proficiency in French.
Candidates residing outside Quebec
Quebec assigns candidates in this group a score based on the following eight factors: Age, Quebec degree, Canadian or United States work experience, training that the Government of Quebec lists as in-demand, French language proficiency, knowledge of other languages, education level and a spouse or common-law partner’s education level and proficiency in French.
The province of Quebec has yet to detail the points structure that will apply to the factors under the two groups.
How Quebec Selects Candidates from the Expression of Interest Bank
Candidates Quebec selects to apply for a CSQ must demonstrate they meet the passing scores on the QSWP Points Grid.
Quebec Skilled Worker candidates who meet the initial requirements for education and financial self-sufficiency must then meet the required cut-off score of 43 points for Employability factors.
If a candidate has a spouse, Quebec considers the spouse’s education, training, work experience, and language proficiency toward the candidate’s overall cut-off score. The Employability cut-off score for candidates with a spouse or common-law partner is 52.
Quebec also requires selected candidates to meet the minimum threshold for Selection factors, which is a passing score of 50 points (or 59 with a spouse or common-law partner). Selection factors consider all Employability factors, accompanying children, and financial self-sufficiency.