Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW)

YOU SELECTED THIS OPTION BECAUSE:You wish to immigrate to Quebec, Canada under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

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, particularly for IT professionals (who don’t speak French). 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.

The true benefit of the QSW is that there’s no need to obtain an invitation via the Express Entry program. This program has a “pass-or-fail” system allowing for a lot more predictability in the process (not to mention transparency).

List of High-Demand Occupations where French is Likely Not Needed to Apply under The Quebec Skilled Worker Program:

• Accountants
• Genetics
• Computer and Software Engineers
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Engineering (Aerospace, biomedical, industrial)
• Industrial engineering
• IT Consultant
• Librarians (must have a master degree in Library science)
• Marketing and Purchasing
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nutritionists
• Registered Nurses
• Programmers and developers
• Psychology (must have a doctorate)
• Systems Analyst
• Translations

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.

Aside your point score, another main qualifier to become eligible for the Quebec Skilled Worker is the degree or training you have incurred. Fortunately, Quebec is accepting about 146 “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 as per the list above.

Quebec Skilled Worker Assessment – Consultation*

The Quebec skilled worker program is believed to be the most rigorous programs available in Canada. At Global Crossing, we ensure that a thorough initial consultation is made prior to accepting clients under the Quebec skilled worker class.

For an evaluation of eligibility to the QSW class, please schedule a consultation to assess your eligibility for this program. Our consultation will include a point report in PDF document form, on our firm stationary signed by the leading practitioner.

Our consultation also includes a detailed discussion about your immigrant and non-immigrant options (and not just about the QSW), including a review of the overall process, time-frame, cost, filing strategy, probability of success based on your work experience and profile and answers to your important questions.

The session will last about an hour and will conclude with a written summary, a point assessment and a recommended plan of action.

To schedule a QSW consultation contact one of our offices or send an e-inquiry.

For a sample QSW points assessment, click on the appropriate sample below.

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 program 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.

The table below shows our typical deliverables for the preparation, filing and representation of a Quebec Skilled Worker application. Firm deliverables for an Express Entry Assessment include the following:

• Points Assessment (written submission handed to the client)
• Pointers about how to improve your score or rank
• Review of required settlement funds (financial self-sufficiency test)
• Rate probability of a successful outcome prior to moving forward with an application
• Prepare all government forms
• Provide a checklist of needed items with detailed advice and instructions
• Assembly of relevant supporting documentation
• 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
• Prepare admissibility and medical forms for the federal stage (Stage 2)
• Representation to CIC on client’s behalf
• Interview preparation (if necessary)
• Full access to firm practitioner throughout the adjudication process

________________

*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, such as our leading practitioner Marc Laforce, are found in the Registre québécois des consultans en immigration here.