Quebec Skilled Worker

Quebec is a francophone province with a population of 8 million people. About 22 percent of the Canadian population lives in Quebec.

While the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is world famous, most clients don’t realize that Quebec offers a viable immigration solution to permanent residency as well. In fact for many, such as computer engineers, marketing managers, nutritionists and others, Quebec represents the only viable option to immigrating in Canada without a company sponsor.

Similar to the FSWP, the Quebec Skilled Worker program recently went through extensive changes. The more significant change occurred in August 2013 when the program cancelled bonus points for basic French proficiency. We therefore recommend this visa stream if an applicant, or his or her spouse, have moderate to high French proficiency only, or experience in a high-demand occupation where French proficiency may not be required at all.

QSW Program Highlights

The QSW mirrors the Federal Skilled Worker Program in that it requires minimum experience in an eligible occupation and a certain amount of assigned points based on education, language proficiency (in English but especially in French), age, experience and adaptability. Quebec also gives special consideration to couples with young children.

One benefit of the QSW is that the list of eligible occupations, or “area of training”, is more expansive than its federal counterpart. While the federal program has about 50 eligible occupations, the Quebec stream will accept146 “foreign degrees” for self-sponsorship. Moreover, the Quebec list doesn’t just favor bachelor degrees but also includes in-demand vocational trades such as welders and pipefitters to high-school trades such as painters and body shop workers.

Clients should note that since Quebec is predominantly a francophone population, the language point assessment is heavily skewed to French proficiency (over English). It is therefore critical that interested parties contact our practitioner to assess their level of French proficiency. If a prospect applicant, or his or her spouse, does not have at least moderate French aptitude in speaking and listening, we will likely not recommend this visa stream unless the applicant has experience in a high-demand occupation.

Our QSW Deliverables:

As with any immigrant stream, program eligibility is only one of many aspects of preparing a Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) application. More important than assessing QSW points is the assembly of relevant supporting documents, preparation of accurate government forms, and, most important of all, compliant employer verification letters along with a cover letter that addresses any shortcoming. In other words, it is one thing to reach the “points”; but presentation of credible documents backing up your application is another important component.

The Quebec immigration ministry (MIDI), which has exclusive jurisdiction over the selection of its immigrants, is particularly severe when it comes to supporting documentation. MIDI is notoriously strict, some say downright unreasonable, when it comes to validating documents such as birth certificates, school transcripts, employer verification letters and education assessments, for example.

Another key aspect of the Quebec process is that it is a two-stage process. While Quebec may nominate an immigrant, criminality, medical admissibility and visa issuance are the exclusive domain of the federal branch. A good practitioner must be willing and able to represent the client through both stages of the process in a transparent and seamless manner; which of course is what we do at Global Crossing Immigration.

The table below shows our typical deliverables for the preparation, filing and representation of a Quebec Skilled Worker application.

Consultation Stage

Firm Deliverables on a QSW Application:

Pre-filing (Consultation Stage)
  • Assess overall eligibility
  • Points assessment
  • Filing strategy
  • Review funds requirement
  • Assess French proficiency
  • Rate probability of success
Filing
  • Prepare government forms (from scratch)
  • Provide a checklist of needed items with detailed advice and instructions
  • Assemble supporting documents
  • Resume/CV editorial as required
  • Offer suggestions to add or improve case
  • Assist as required with the drafting/editing of employer letters
  • Write-up legal cover letter with an explanation of issues/concerns to MICC
  • Prepare admissibility and medical forms for the federal stage (Stage 2)
Post-Filing
  • Representation to CIC on client’s behalf
  • Interview preparation (if necessary)
  • Full access to firm practitioner throughout the adjudication process
  • Assistance with landing

*Important Notice for Quebec Applicants. As of February 2011, only authorized persons can work with Immigration Diversité et Inclusion Québec (previously “Ministère de l’immigration et des Communautés culturelles) in connection with temporary (CAQ) or permanent (CSQ) immigration applications in Quebec. Recognized immigration consultants who can practice in Quebec are found in the Registre québécois des consultans en immigration at www.micc.gouv.qc.ca/publications/fr/dossiers/Registre_Consultants.pdf.