Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration Program

The Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW) is a great option to explore if you are ineligible for the Federal Skilled Worker program (FSW).  It is the only option if you intend to reside in the Province of Quebec. 

About Quebec  [1]

Quebec is a province in east-central Canada.It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level. Quebec is Canada's largest province by area.  It is bordered to the west by the province of Ontario, James Bay and Hudson Bay, to the north by Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay, to the east by the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick. It is bordered on the south by the US states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. It also shares maritime borders with Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.

Quebec is Canada's second most populous province, after Ontario. English-speaking communities and English-language institutions are concentrated in the west of the island of Montreal but are also significantly present in the Outaouais, Eastern Townships, and Gaspéregions. 

While the province's substantial natural resources have long been the mainstay of its economy, sectors of the knowledge economy such as aerospace, information and communication technologies, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry also play leading roles. These many industries have all contributed to helping Quebec become the second most economically influential province, second only to Ontario.

Immigrating to Quebec

Quebec uses a different set of criteria in selecting its skilled workers.  A job offer is not required and there is no cap on any profession.  While knowledge of French is an asset (it is the official language of Quebec), lack of knowledge of French does not automatically render one ineligible for selection.  

Quebec uses a points system as well though it is totally different from that used by the Federal Government.  To be selected, a single person must score a minimum of 49 points while  a couple must score at least 57 points.  Points are awarded for area of training, work experience, age, language proficiency, valid offer of employment, stay in Quebec, family in Quebec, spouse's characteristics, children, and financial self-sufficiency.  If you score sufficient points, you would be issued a selection certificate.  Citizenship and Immigration Canada would still do criminal, security and medical checks before issuing your permanent residence visa however, you would not be subject to its criteria for skilled workers.  

Advantages and Disadvantages

Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages I have observed  but I would love readers' input and ideas on the advantages & disadvantages of immigrating to Quebec.  The list below is not comprehensive, let alone exhaustive. 

Advantages:

1. The greatest advantage is that it may be your only option to legally immigrate to Canada. 
2. You and your family get the opportunity to become bilingual
3. You get to live in Canada's second most influential province

Disadvantages:

1. Two step process - First you have to apply to the government of Quebec for a selection certificate, before applying to the Federal Government for a permanent residence visa.  
2. Cost - You would have to pay an application processing fee to Quebec & another to the Federal Government.  

To find out if you qualify to immigrate to Quebec, visit our website http://www.y-canada.ca/immigrate-to-canada.php & complete the skilled worker form.  Canadian Immigration Lawyer Angela Princewill would conduct a free assessment and advise you on your eligibility for this and other Canada Immigration programs.

1. Source: Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.