Quebec Sponsorships

Quebec Sponsorships – Permanent and Temporary Visas

One of the unique features of Canadian immigration law is its shared jurisdiction between the state (province) and federal level. The province of Quebec has its own corporate sponsorship program for skilled workers with its own specified criteria and program requirements.

In this vein, foreign workers who need a Quebec-based sponsorship must apply for a “Certificate of Acceptance” (Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec)(CAQ) or “Certificate of Selection” (Certificat de Sélection du Québec) (CSQ) for a temporary or permanent company sponsorship. Employers, in turn, must submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (previously LMO) to both the Quebec and Federal branch for a joint-approval confirmation letter.

To navigate these bureaucratic waters, our firm can assist both Quebec-based employers in obtaining the required LMIA as well as the employees coming into Canada on a work or immigrant visa.

There are, however, features in the Quebec program that merit particular attention. First, employees and especially employers need to be watchful that whoever is representing their case file must have the appropriate Quebec authorization to represent clients. For more information about who can legally represent a Quebec employer (or Quebec immigrant), click here.

Second, the Quebec process consists of interactions with both provincial and federal officers in their respective jurisdictions. By law, the province is not required to correspond in English. Consequently, the vast majority of official Quebec communication is in French. Our leading practitioner can communicate in both official languages.

Standard Deliverables for Quebec-based Employers:

• Assessment if the Quebec position qualifies for a LMIA-exemption or Treaty Work Permit
• Research of the prevailing wage for CAQ approval
• Write-up and submission of employer and employee forms
• Preparation of cover letter and assembly of relevant supporting documentation
• Preparation and submission of the employee’s work permit at the border or visa post
• Interview preparation at the border
• Post filing correspondence with Quebec (MIDI) and the federal branch (ESDC/CIC)