The Quebec immigration programs allow the government of Quebec to nominate individuals to immigrate to the province.
Quebec has one of the most varied and dynamic immigration programs, with streams and categories designed to welcome skilled workers, graduates, and business immigrants.
Choosing Québec Immigration
The Quebec province, located at the east of Ontario, is the second most populated province in Canada, with more than 23% of the Canadian population. The country’s second largest city, Montréal and eastern part of the national capital, Ottawa, are both located in the province.
Except for some federal programs, the immigration authorities of Quebec also propose some very specific pathways to the Canadian province, however, none of them are aligned with Express Entry, there is thus no need to be eligible for Express Entry and being in the pool.
The nomination certificate in Quebec is called “Certificat de Sélection du Québéc (CSQ)”. Only after receiving the CSQ that the federal government (IRCC) will process your application for permanent residence (processing times are longer than the 6-month processing time of Express Entry).
There are streams targeted at international graduates and temporary foreign workers who meet a set of conditions. Other streams are open for business people wishing to invest their money in the province to receive their nomination.
Québec’s Immigration Programs – Overview
The following table shows the range of immigration streams and categories operated by the Quebec immigration authorities.
| Stream | Main Criteria (not exhaustive) | Job Offer Required | Aligned with Express Entry | Application Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Workers | ||||
| Skilled Worker Selection Program | - Receive an invitation to apply by satisfying the invitation criteria
Stream 1 - Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills - Have min. 1 year of work experience in an NOC TEER Category 0, 1, or 2 job - Have obtained a diploma of at least 1-year full-time program of study - Have a min. oral French level of 7 and written French level 5 Stream 2 - Intermediate and Manual Skills - Have min. 2 years of work experience in an NOC TEER Category 3, 4, or 5 job, including 1 year in Québec - Have obtained a high school diploma - Have a min. oral French level of 5 Stream 3 - Regulated Professions - Have your main occupation be included in the list of regulated occupations - Obtain from the regulatory authority (i) an authorization to practice or (ii) a proof of partial or full recognition - If NOC TEER Category of regulated occupation is 0, 1 or 2, have a min. oral French level of 7 and written French level 5 - If NOC TEER Category of regulated occupation is 3, 4 or 5, have a min. oral French level of 5 Stream 4 - Exceptional Talent - Have exceptional expertise likely to contribute to Québec’s prosperity and a proven track record of achievements related to your expertise - Have min. 3 years of work experience |
No | No | $940
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
| Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) |
Québec Graduates stream
- Have obtained a degree obtained in full-time studies in Quebec - Have a min. oral French level of 7 and written French level 5 Temporary Foreign Workers stream - Have a full-time job and min. 24 months of work experience in Quebec, in NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 - Have a min. oral French level of 7 |
No | No | $940
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
| Pilot Program for Food Processing Workers | - Have an eligible job and min. 24 months of eligible work experience in an eligible sector in food processing in Québec
- Have a min. oral French level of 7 |
No | No | $940
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
| Pilot Program for Orderlies | - Hold a job as an orderly in Québec
- Have a min. oral French level of 7 Work stream - Have obtained the equivalent of a Québec diploma of vocational studies leading to the occupation of orderly - Have work experience of (i) at least 24 months as an orderly in Québec, or (ii) at least 12 months in a health occupation related to basic personal care outside of Québec and at least 12 months as an orderly in Québec Study-work stream - Have obtained a Québec diploma of vocational studies leading to the occupation of orderly - Have at least 12 months of work experience as an orderly in Québec |
No | No | $940
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
| Pilot Program for Workers in the artificial intelligence (AI), information technologies (IT) and visual effects (VFX) sectors | - Have a min. oral French level of 7 OR sign a francization agreement to learn French
Artificial intelligence stream - Foreign Workers - Hold or have accepted a job in Québec on a full-time basis in the artificial intelligence sector (min. salary criteria apply) - Have obtained a diploma that minimally corresponds to a Québec bachelor’s degree - Have min. 24 months of work experience in an NOC TEER Category 0, 1, or 2 job OR have obtained a diploma that minimally corresponds to a Québec master’s or doctoral degree Artificial intelligence stream - Quebec graduates - Hold or have accepted a job in Québec on a full-time basis in the artificial intelligence sector - Have obtained a Québec university diploma: higher specialized studies (DESS), master’s program or doctoral program (in the case of a DESS, additional criteria apply) - Have lived in Québec for at least half of your study program Information technologies and visual effects stream - Hold or have accepted an eligible job in Québec on a full-time basis (min. salary criteria apply) - Have min. 24 months of eligible work experience on a full-time basis - Hold a diploma that minimally corresponds to a Québec diploma of college studies or bachelor’s degree |
No | No | $940
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
| Business People | ||||
| Entrepreneur Program | - Have a min. oral French level of 7
Stream 1 - Innovative Business Starting an innovative business Profile - Settle in Québec to create and operate an innovative business for which appropriate support services from an organization specializing in innovation are obtained - Hold at least 10% of the company Carrying out an innovative project Profile - Have started an innovative business with at least 10% - Have the intention of carrying out an innovative project as part of the operation of the innovative business, for which appropriate support services from an organization specializing in innovation are obtained - Have stayed in Quebec for at least 2 years Stream 2 - Business Start-up Start-up Profile - Min net worth of $600,000 - Min investment of $150,000 - Acquire a company for at least 25% ownership - Have 2 years of experience in business management Started business Profile - Min net worth of $300,000 - Have started a business with at least 25% ownership for at least one year - Have stayed in Quebec for at least 2 years Stream 3 - Business Takeover Business in the process of acquisition Profile - Min net worth of $600,000 - Intend to acquire control of a business in operation for at least 5 years for a min investment of $150,000 - Have obtained appropriate support services from an organization specializing in takeover Acquired business Profile - Min net worth of $300,000 - Have acquired control of a business in operation for at least 5 years - Have obtained appropriate support services from an organization specializing in takeover - Have stayed in Quebec for at least 2 years |
No | No | $1,272
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
| Investor Program | - Min net worth of $2,000,000 and min investment of $1,200,000
- Residing in Quebec for at least 1 year out of the two years following the granting of the work permit (post-investment) - Have min. two years of management experience - Have a min. oral French level of 7 |
No | No | $18,241 |
| Self-Employed Worker Program | - Min net worth of $100,000 and min investment of $25,000
- Come to Québec to create own self-employed job by practising a profession or business activity - Have min. two years of self-employment experience in the profession or trade you intend to practise in Québec - Have a min. oral French level of 7 |
No | No | $1,272
+$201 for spouse +$201 per dependent |
Québec’s Immigration Programs – Guides
For more detailed information on the Québec immigration programs, you can consult our guides below. Each guide includes the program’s eligibility requirements, application process, documents needed, cost, processing times, etc.
