Quebec is a beautiful province with many of opportunity to learn about its history and culture. The province has a perfect blend of Canadian and French heritage that attracts people from around the globe. Furthermore, there are tons of work and business opportunities, which attract people to an even greater extent.
According to the constitution, the Canadian federal government has more authority over the immigration decisions of provinces. However, that’s not the case with Quebec — as it has its own authority over immigration. Quebec’s proprietary immigration ministry was launched in 1968, and since then, the province has continued to gain more and more authority over its immigration processes.
Immigrating to Quebec is desirable due to several reasons: plenty of work opportunities, rich heritage & cultural background, filled with nature & landmarks. If you want to immigrate to Quebec to work and obtain permanent residence, here are the available immigration programs in Quebec you can apply to pursue that goal.
Quebec’s Economic Immigration Programs
French is the only official language of Quebec. That’s why the province prioritizes choosing immigrants who are fluent in French. However, it’s important to note that you may still be selected for immigration even if you don’t speak French. You see, knowing French just boosts your chances by a good bit.
Based on its economic and demographic needs, the province selects candidates to come and work as skilled candidates in Quebec. Candidates may be selected in any of the below-mentioned categories.
1. Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
If you’re an individual with professional skills that can benefit Canadian workforces, the Quebec Skilled Worker Program might be the right fit for you. However, be noted that this program is only suitable for candidates with a professional background and certified skills.
Alongside professional skills, fluency in French also plays a massive role in your selection. Last but not least, your age and family situation are also considered during the selection.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program is also sometimes called “Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program” — so don’t be confused if you come across these interchangeable terms.
2. Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is suitable for individuals who have prior work experience in Quebec. You either need to be a professional worker with intermediate work experience, or you have to be a student of one of Quebec’s educational institutes to be eligible for this program.
Furthermore, you must be at least 18 years old, with at least a advanced intermediate level of French fluency.
This program is very popular among individuals who are already working in Quebec and want to get permanent residence there.
3. Quebec Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs
Quebec currently requires more immigrants with industry-specific skillsets. To fulfill its requirements, Quebec has pilot programs in place to allow permanent residence to skilled workers in the required categories. At this moment, pilot programs have been set up for 3 specific areas — and those are the Information Technology (IT) & visual effects industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & orderlies industry and the food industry.
Each pilot program could select up to 550 applicants every year. Applicants with intermediate proficiency in French are preferred. However, if an applicant excels in other technical requirements, the requirement for French-language could be neglected. In such cases, the province offers Francization programs to the selected candidates to make them fluent in French during the immigration process.
4. Quebec Business Immigration Programs
Individuals that excel in business skills and have substantial financial resources as their backup, can apply for any of the three below-mentioned programs.
- Quebec Entrepreneur Program: If you have a business idea and resources to start a new organization, or you have the financial resources to acquire an existing Quebec-based business, you can apply for the Entrepreneur Program.
- Quebec Immigrant Investor Program: Quebec’s Investor Immigration Program (QIIP) is one of the world’s most popular investor programs — and for good reasons. If you have the financial background to invest in an existing Quebec business, you’re eligible for it.
- Quebec Self-Employed Program: If you don’t work under an organization and run your own finances through self-made processes, you may be eligible for the Self-Employed Program.