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 Worker Program (QSWP).
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program Process
1. Candidates submit a declaration of interest to Quebec immigration.
2. Highest-scoring candidates are invited 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 a CSQ is issued, 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 are in the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank, they are grouped under two categories:
1.) Candidates with a connection to Quebec
2.) Candidates residing outside Quebec
In each category, candidates will be assigned 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
Candidates in this group will be assigned 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 candidates are being selected from Quebec’s Expression of Interest Bank
Candidates selected to apply for a CSQ under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program will need to demonstrate that they have met the passing scores required for the program based 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, his or her education and training, work experience and language proficiency will be considered towards a candidates overall cut-off score. The Employability cut-off score for candidates with a spouse or common-law partner is 52.
Candidates selected to apply for a CSQ under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program will also be required to meet the minimum threshold for Selection factors, which is a passing score of 50 points (and 59 with a spouse or common-law partner). Selection factors take into consideration all Employability factors, the presence of accompanying children and the ability to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.