Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Quebec provides new details on Expression of Interest ranking system Quebec will consider U.S. work experience among ranking factors
August 1, 2018
The new system for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) will replace the current first- come, first-served application process.
The process of applying immigration under the Quebec Skilled Worker program consists of the following steps:
- Submission of an Expression of Interest to settle in Quebec and entry into Quebec’s Expression of Interest Bank.
- Successful selection from the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank results in an invitation to apply for the QSWP.
- Submission of an application for a Quebec Selection Certificate, or certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) to the MIDI.
- Submission of a Canadian permanent residence application to the Federal Government.
After submitting an Expression of Interest to MIDI, candidates will be entered into the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank.
The candidates confirming the requirements, cut-off thresholds and passing scores for the program will be considered for selection.
The ranking system considers work experience in the United States, making Quebec’s the only immigration system in Canada that currently considers U.S. work experience during the process of ranking candidates.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) candidates who submit their profile to the program’s new Expression of Interest Bank will be classified in two groups:
- Group A – Candidates with a job offer or who are living in Quebec meeting specific criteria
- Group B – Candidates living outside of Quebec
| Group A | Group B |
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| The first group is for candidates who | The second group is for candidates who do not reside in Quebec |
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Ranking on the basis of scores obtained under the following factors:
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Ranking on the basis of scores obtained under the following factors:
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Candidates in both groups will also receive points for the following “Skill Transferability” combinations:
- Education along with proficiency in French (either their own or, if applicable, their spouse’s — whichever score is highest);
- Education combined with work experience in Canada or the US and proficiency in French;
- Foreign work experience combined with proficiency in French;
- Foreign work experience combined with work experience in Canada or the U.S. and proficiency in French.
Quebec has not detailed the point’s structure for the various factors and skills combinations.
The regulations state that Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration (MIDI) could issue invitations to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ) to the highest scoring candidates or based on selection criteria or conditions that are deemed a priority.
According to the Revisions to Quebec’s Immigration Act, invitations could be issued based on “criterion relating to a foreign national’s ability to successfully stay or settle in Quebec, such as training or a trade or occupation.”
Other criteria may include “a region of destination in Québec, a country or region affected by a humanitarian crisis or the existence of an international commitment.”
Candidates who receive an invitation to apply for a CSQ and submit an application will need to meet the passing scores required for the program based on the QSWP Points Grid.
