Quebec Opens new Option to Immigrate to Canada through Skilled Worker Program

New first-come, first-served pathway to Canadian permanent residence will receive up to 6,300 applications

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) has reopened, with potential applicants from around the world moving quickly to prepare and submit an application as early as possible during the current application cycle, which began on November 4, 2015.

News of the reopening of the QSWP was reported last week by CICNews, who notified readers that the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis.  This aspect marks the QSWP as a more assured and straightforward way of obtaining Canadian permanent residence compared with the federal economic immigration programs that are processed through the Express Entry selection system. If an applicant is eligible for the QSWP and submits a complete application within the timeframe set by the government of Quebec, he or she may have a clear path towards Canadian immigration.

The application cycle for the QSWP will be split into two periods. The first, which will run from November 4 to December 15, 2015, will accept up to 3,500 postal applications only. This intake period is currently open. The second intake period, which will run from January 18 to March 31, 2016, will process up to 2,800 applications online.

Quebec Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Worker: What are the differences?

The QSWP and Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class are fundamentally different programs that both result in the same end result: Canadian permanent residence. Because the methods, timelines, processes, and selection factors are different, potential applicants may see added value in one program over the other.

Indeed, potential applicants may benefit from pursuing Canadian permanent residence through both programs simultaneously, thereby increasing their chances of obtaining Canadian permanent resident status. According to the governments of Quebec and Canada, candidates can apply under the QSWP and submit an Express Entry profile, as long as they withdraw one when either a Quebec Selection Certificate/certificat de selection du Québec (CSQ) or Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued.

The QSWP may be an enticing option for individuals who wish to make an application to immigrate to Canada without having to be invited to apply, as well as individuals who are in the Express Entry pool and wish to increase their chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.

The following table outlines some of the major differences between the QSWP and the FSW Class.

	Quebec Skilled Worker	Federal Skilled Worker
Is the program first-come, first served?	Yes	No
Is the program managed through Express Entry?	No	Yes
Is there a pool of candidates?	No, the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis	Yes, the Express Entry pool
Is there a points system?	Yes	Yes, both for eligibility and in the Express Entry pool
Do candidates need to submit an online profile?	No	Yes
Do candidates need to receive an Invitation to Apply before applying?	No	Yes
Is French proficiency a requirement for the program?	No, but points may be awarded for French	No, but points are available for French
Is language testing mandatory?	No, but up to 22 points are available for English (6) and French (16) proficiency	Yes, candidates must prove language proficiency in English and/or French
Is there a ranking system for eligible candidates?	No	Yes, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
Is a job offer required in order to make an application?	No	No
Can a job offer help an applicant become eligible to make an application?	Yes, points are available for a validated job offer in Quebec	Yes, points are available for initial eligibility and under the CRS
Is there an Area of Training list?	Yes, and up to 16 points may be awarded for a candidate’s Area of Training	No
Is there an occupation list?	No	No, but candidates must have at least one year of work experience in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B)
Is there an adaptability interview?	No	No
Can candidates apply to both the QSW and the FSW?	Yes, as long as they withdraw one when either a CSQ or ITA is issued	Yes, as long as they withdraw one when either a CSQ or ITA is issued
Where should applicants intend on landing in Canada?	Quebec	Any province or territory except Quebec
Does an application to the program eventually lead to Canadian permanent resident status?	Yes,  successful candidates first receive a CSQ, then apply to CIC for permanent resident status	Yes, successful candidates obtain permanent resident status
Can permanent residents live and work in any Canadian province or territory?	Yes	Yes
Is the program currently open?	Yes, as of November 4, 2015	Yes
Are there any government fees for creating a profile?	There is no profile stage	No
Are there any government fees for submitting an application?	Yes	Yes
Is there a cap/limit on the number of applications to be accepted?	Yes, up to 6,300 applications may be accepted	No
Is there an established intake period?	Yes, from November 4 to December 15 for postal applications, and from January 18 to March 31, 2016 online	No, eligible candidates may create an online profile at any time. CIC performs regular, ongoing draws from the pool
What are the expected processing times?	Unknown, though processing times may be reduced due to the removal of the adaptability interview stage	CIC aims to process applications within six months of submission

The QSWP: a points-based program

The QSWP is a points-based program, where points are awarded for an applicant’s area of training, work experience, age, language proficiency, prior relationship with Quebec (through visits or family), the human capital factors of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), and whether or not the applicant has a validated job offer in Quebec. If a candidate is awarded sufficient points for these factors, he or she may then gain additional points for any accompanying dependent children and proof of financial self-sufficiency. Moreover, a job offer is not required for the QSWP.

Applicants should also note that they may be awarded points for French proficiency, though it is not an eligibility requirement for the program. Applicants who have little or no French proficiency, but who have strong credentials in other areas, may still be eligible to apply.

An applicant apply without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner must score at least 49 points, while an applicant applying with a spouse or common-law partner must score at least 57 points. Once a CSQ has been issued, applicants must then successfully complete medical and security examinations conducted by the federal government in order to be granted permanent resident status. Potential applicants to the QSWP should note that they should have the intention to reside within the province of Quebec.

An exciting Canadian immigration option

“There are a number of positives to take from the reopening of the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. First and foremost, it could be one of the last of its kind, a way to apply for and obtain Canadian permanent residence on a first-come, first-served basis,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“In addition, with two intake periods during this application cycle — the first one by postal applications, then early in 2016 online —applicants may have two kicks at the can. The fact that a postal intake period will precede the online processing period is a welcome bonus for potential applicants, as it gives them an opportunity to submit an application quickly before the online system is launched. I would therefore encourage eligible candidates for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program to collect the necessary documents and have them reviewed as soon as possible, so that they can maximize their chances of success and achieve their Canadian immigration goals.”

To find out if you are eligible for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, or any of Canada’s over 60 immigration programs, please fill out a free assessment today.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Though applications for a CSQ through the QSWP submitted outside the official period for receipt of applications will be returned to applicants in most cases, candidates in one of the following situations may submit an application for a CSQ at any time:

• The applicant has enclosed a validated employment offer with the application for a selection certificate submitted under the QSWP; or
• The applicant is a temporary resident in Quebec and eligible to submit an application for a CSQ.

© 2015 CICnews All Rights Reserved