Quebec is reopening three permanent immigration pilot programs on January 13, 2025, aimed at addressing labor shortages in specific sectors.
Successful applicants to these programs can receive Canadian permanent residence (PR).
These programs, originally introduced in 2021, are designed to attract skilled workers to the province in key industries. The three programs are
- Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Food Processing Workers (PP TA);
- Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Beneficiary Attendants (PP PAB); and
- Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Visual Effects Sectors (PP IA/TI-EV).
The government has set new guidelines for these programs.
From January 13 until December 31, 2025, a total of 600 applications will be accepted for each of the PP TA and PP PAB programs.
For the PP IA/TI-EV program, the 600 applications will be equally split between the Artificial Intelligence (AI) component and the Information Technology and Visual Effects (TI-EV) component. Each component of the PP IA/TI-EV will allocate a maximum of 150 applications in the Francisation profile.
These pilot programs are set to expire on January 1, 2026.
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Selection criteria for pilot programs
PP TA
| Category | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years or older |
| Intention to Settle | Intend to settle in Quebec to take up employment in a company over which you have no legal or de facto control, and in an eligible sector |
| Education and Diplomas | Have a secondary school diploma or a professional studies diploma from Quebec, obtained in a full-time study program of at least one year |
| Job Eligibility | Hold an eligible full-time job in an eligible sector in Quebec |
| Work Experience | Have 24 months of eligible, full-time work experience in Quebec within the 36 months preceding application, in an eligible sector, in a business over which you have no legal or de facto control. Work experience cannot be in an ineligible sector. |
| Eligible Occupations | Must work in one of the following NOC occupations: CNP 94141, 95106, 95107, 65311, 94140, 85100, 94142 |
| Eligible Sectors | Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311), Beverage Manufacturing (NAICS 3121) |
| French Language Proficiency | Knowledge of spoken French at level 7 on the Quebec Scale of Competency Levels or its equivalent |
| Financial Independence | Demonstrate ability to be financially independent |
| Work Experience Requirements | Work experience must be legal, paid, full-time (30 hours/week or more), and obtained in a company over which you have no legal or de facto control |
| French Language Documentation | Must provide supporting documents such as final transcripts, certificates, or French language test results (e.g., TCF-Quebec, TCF-Canada, TEF) |
More information can be found on the Quebec government’s website.
PP PAB
The PP PAB is composed of two different components:
- The work component; and
- The work-study component.
While both components do share common eligibility criteria, they each have some distinct requirements as well:
Common requirements for both components
| Category | Common Conditions (for both components) |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years or older |
| Intention to Settle | Intend to settle in Quebec to work for a company over which you have no legal or de facto control |
| Work Experience | Must have legal, paid, full-time work experience in a business where you do not have control, directly or indirectly |
| French Language Proficiency | Level 7 on the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency or equivalent, or equivalent proof (e.g., transcripts, French test results) |
| Education and Diplomas | Must meet French language proficiency requirements and provide supporting documentation (e.g., certificates, diplomas) |
| Work Experience Requirements | Work experience must be legal, paid, full-time (30 hours/week or more), and with an employer over which you have no control |
| Work Experience Requirements (Repeated) | Work experience must be legal, paid, full-time (30 hours/week or more), and with an employer over which you have no control |
Component specific requirements
| Category | Work Component | Study-Work Component |
|---|---|---|
| Work Component | Hold a job as a beneficiary attendant in Quebec, or equivalent experience outside Quebec (healthcare) | At least 12 months of work experience as a beneficiary attendant in Quebec |
| Study-Work Component | N/A | Obtain or renew a work permit after completing the study program and being hired by a Quebec employer |
| Work Experience | 24 months as a beneficiary attendant in Quebec (within 36 months prior to application) or combination of 12 months in healthcare + 12 months as beneficiary attendant | 12 months of work experience as a beneficiary attendant in Quebec after completing a Quebec vocational studies diploma |
| Education and Diplomas | Hold a diploma related to beneficiary attendant profession, at least one year old, full-time | Hold a Quebec vocational studies diploma for beneficiary attendants (870 hours of education) |
| Eligible Professions | Beneficiary attendant (CNP 33102) and related healthcare professions (NOC 31300, 31301, 31302, 32101) | Beneficiary attendant (CNP 33102) |
More information can be found on the Quebec government’s website.
PP IA/TI-EV
The PP IA/TI-EV features two components:
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) component; and
- The Information technology and visual effects (including video games) (ITVE) component.
These two components share some eligibility requirements, and also have their own unique requirements. In addition the artificial intelligence components features different criteria for foreign worker applicants, and Quebec graduate applicants.
These are detailed below.
Common eligibility criteria for both components:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must intend to settle in Quebec and work for a company in which they do not have legal or de facto control, either directly or indirectly. The employment must be in an eligible sector.
- Applicants must show that they can financially support themselves.
Eligibility requirements for foreign workers applying under the AI component:
Foreign workers applying under the AI component must:
- Hold a diploma equivalent to at least a Quebec baccalaureate.
- Have at least 24 months of full-time work experience in a FÉER 0, 1, or 2 job, within the past 60 months.
- Not use work experience with a company over which the applicant has legal or de facto control, nor in an ineligible sector.
OR
- Hold a master’s or doctorate from Quebec obtained within the past 12 months.
- Hold or have accepted a full-time job in the artificial intelligence sector in Quebec, with a gross annual salary of at least $75,000 if the employer is outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) or at least $100,000 if within the CMM.
- The job must be with a company over which the applicant has no legal or de facto control, and not in an ineligible sector.
Eligibility requirements for Quebec graduates applying under the AI component:
Quebec graduates applying under the AI component must:
- Have studied in Quebec for at least half of their program.
- Have obtained a university diploma from a Quebec institution within the last 24 months, certifying specialized higher education (DESS), a master’s degree, or a doctorate.
- If holding a specialized graduate diploma (DESS), have held at least 6 months of full-time employment in Quebec in a FÉER 0, 1, or 2 job within 12 months of completing their program. The job must be with a company over which the applicant has no legal or de facto control and not in an unacceptable sector.
- Hold or have accepted full-time employment in the artificial intelligence sector in Quebec, in a company over which they have no legal or de facto control and not in an unacceptable sector.
Quebec graduate applicants are not eligible if they have a scholarship with a return clause to their country, unless this condition has already been met.
All applicants in the AI component must include an opinion from a committee of experts managed by the Techno-compétences Information and Communications Technology Sectoral Workforce Committee. This opinion must confirm that the job offered to you is in the artificial intelligence sector and aligns with your skills profile.
Eligibility requirements for newcomers applying under the ITVE component:
Newcomers applying under the ITVE component must:
- Hold a diploma equivalent to at least a Quebec technical college diploma or a Quebec baccalaureate;
- Have at least 24 months of full-time eligible work experience in Quebec or abroad within the last 60 months. This work experience must not be with a company over which you have legal or de facto control, directly or indirectly, or in an ineligible sector; and
- Currently hold or have accepted full-time eligible employment in Quebec, with an hourly wage equivalent to the maximum salary of your profession’s wage, in a business over which they do not have legal or de facto control, directly or indirectly, and which is not in an eligible sector.
Eligibility for the Francisation profile
Under both components, to be considered under the Francisation profile, applicants must meet additional requirements.
To be selected, applicants must have spoken French proficiency at level 7 on the Quebec Scale of Competency Levels, or its equivalent. This includes both listening and speaking.
Applicants must submit a declaration of their French proficiency with supporting documents such as:
- Transcripts confirming at least three years of full-time study in French, either in secondary or post-secondary education.
- If applicable, a certificate from the educational institution specifying the language of instruction.
- Accepted French test results, such as the TCF-Quebec, TCF-Canada, DALF, DELF, TEFAQ, or TEF, which must be taken at an authorized center. Results must be no older than two years.
Applicants choosing the Francization profile must also sign a francization commitment.
More information can be found on the Quebec government’s website.
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