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Quebec Immigration Program
QUEBEC IMMIGRATION PROGRAM
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Immigrate to Quebec
Quebec is one of Canada’s most dynamic and culturally rich provinces, offering a distinct immigration system designed to select candidates who can successfully integrate into its economy and society. With strong demand for skilled professionals, graduates, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs, Quebec Immigration continues to play a crucial role in Canada’s overall immigration strategy.
Unlike other provinces, Quebec manages its own selection process for economic immigrants. Individuals who wish to settle permanently in Quebec must follow a province-specific pathway before applying for Canada PR at the federal level. This two-step system allows Quebec to prioritise applicants who meet its labour market needs, linguistic goals, and long-term demographic plans.
Overview of Quebec Immigration
Quebec is primarily a French-speaking province, but it welcomes immigrants from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Immigration programs in Quebec are designed for skilled workers, international graduates, temporary foreign workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed professionals.
While French language proficiency is not mandatory for every applicant, it plays a significant role in selection and ranking across most Quebec immigration programs. Applicants with strong French skills are generally prioritised and benefit from faster processing and higher selection scores. Quebec’s immigration system operates independently from Express Entry, and applicants must apply directly through Quebec’s platforms before moving to the federal stage.
Why Immigrants Choose Quebec
Quebec remains a top destination for newcomers due to a combination of economic opportunity, affordability, and quality of life. Key reasons people choose to immigrate to Quebec include:
- A diverse and growing economy, with strong demand in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, AI, gaming, food processing, and education
- Lower cost of living compared to provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, particularly for housing
- World-class cities such as Montreal, known for multiculturalism, innovation, and employment opportunities
- Clear and structured immigration pathways tailored for workers, graduates, and business owners
- Strong government focus on long-term settlement and integration, including language training and employment support
Quebec’s approach aims to attract immigrants who are ready to build their lives in the province, rather than relocate temporarily.
How Quebec Immigration Works
Step 1: Quebec Selection (CSQ)
Applicants must first be selected by the Government of Quebec and receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This certificate confirms that Quebec has approved the applicant to settle in the province based on its own criteria.
Step 2: Federal Permanent Residence Application
Once the CSQ is issued, applicants submit their permanent residence application to the federal government. At this stage, IRCC focuses on medical checks, security screening, and background verification rather than economic eligibility. In some cases, applicants may also qualify for temporary work authorisation while their federal PR application is being processed.
Quebec Immigration Programs
Quebec operates a distinct immigration system that differs significantly from the federal Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. Over the last year, Quebec has restructured its economic immigration model to place greater emphasis on French-language integration, labour-market alignment, and regional settlement. As a result, several traditional programs have been closed, and new or redesigned selection streams now form the foundation of Quebec’s permanent immigration system. Below are the current Quebec immigration streams, including newly implemented and restructured pathways.
Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) – Core Economic Stream
The Programme de selection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) is now the primary and most important pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Quebec. It replaces the former Regular Skilled Worker Program and has absorbed much of the demand previously handled by the Quebec Experience Program.
Under PSTQ, candidates submit a Declaration of Interest through Quebec’s Arrima system. Profiles are assessed based on factors such as skilled work experience, education, French-language proficiency, labour-market demand, and regional employability. Quebec periodically issues invitations to apply for permanent selection based on evolving economic priorities rather than fixed score cut-offs.
PSTQ strongly prioritizes candidates who demonstrate the ability to integrate into Quebec’s French-speaking workforce and contribute to sectors experiencing labour shortages. Successful applicants receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), allowing them to proceed with the federal Canada PR process. This stream now serves:
- Skilled workers outside Canada
- Temporary workers already employed in Quebec
- International graduates who no longer have access to PEQ
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) – Closed to New Applications
The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ), once one of Quebec’s fastest permanent residence pathways for international students and temporary workers, has been permanently closed to new applicants. While applications submitted before closure continue to be processed, PEQ no longer accepts new profiles. Quebec has shifted away from automatic or accelerated PR pathways and now requires candidates to compete under broader economic selection criteria, primarily through PSTQ. This change marks a major policy shift, reinforcing Quebec’s focus on long-term economic integration rather than duration of stay alone.
Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs – Transition Phase
Quebec previously operated several sector-specific permanent immigration pilot programs, targeting occupations such as food processing workers, healthcare orderlies, artificial intelligence specialists, and visual effects professionals. These pilot programs are currently in a transition and sunset phase, with most concluding or being absorbed into PSTQ-based selection mechanisms. Quebec’s strategy is to move away from fragmented pilot programs and toward a unified skilled worker selection model, while still prioritizing critical sectors through targeted invitations. Applicants with experience in former pilot occupations are now expected to apply under PSTQ, where labour-market demand remains a decisive selection factor.
Quebec Business Immigration Programs
Quebec continues to operate business-focused immigration pathways for entrepreneurs and investors who can contribute to economic development and job creation within the province. These programs assess applicants based on:
- Business ownership or senior management experience
- Investment capacity and net worth
- Viability of the proposed business project
- Commitment to actively managing the business in Quebec
Business immigration remains separate from PSTQ and follows its own evaluation and approval process. These streams are suitable for candidates seeking permanent residence through enterprise creation rather than employment.
Family Sponsorship and Humanitarian Streams
Quebec also administers family reunification and humanitarian immigration, though these streams operate under strict annual caps and intake limits. Family sponsorship remains subject to Quebec-specific quotas and financial undertakings, often resulting in longer processing timelines compared to other provinces. Quebec’s recent policy direction focuses on managing intake volumes carefully to align with integration capacity.
French Language and Integration-Based Selection (Cross-Cutting Requirement)
Across all Quebec immigration streams, French language proficiency has become a central selection pillar rather than a supplementary factor. Recent policy updates strengthen requirements related to:
- French proficiency at the selection and integration stages
- Demonstrated capacity to work in French-speaking environments
- Participation in francisation and integration programs where required
These requirements apply not only to skilled workers but also influence eligibility across business and long-term settlement pathways.
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Quebec Immigration Pilot Programs
Quebec Immigration Pilot Programs are designed to address labor shortages by attracting skilled workers in targeted sectors. These programs offer foreign nationals a pathway to permanent selection in Quebec, focusing on candidates with relevant work experience, language skills, and the ability to integrate into Quebec’s job market and society.
Technology, AI, IT, and Visual Effects Pilot
This pilot supports professionals working in high-demand sectors such as artificial intelligence, information technology, and visual effects. Both French-speaking and non-French-speaking pathways exist, though long-term settlement still emphasises French integration.
Food Processing Workers Pilot
Designed for individuals employed in Quebec’s food manufacturing and processing industries. Applicants must meet occupation-specific experience requirements and demonstrate functional French proficiency.
Orderlies and Healthcare Support Pilot
This pathway supports healthcare assistants, nurse aides, and support workers who are directly employed in Quebec’s healthcare system. French language ability is a core requirement due to the nature of the work environment. These pilot programs reflect Quebec’s evolving labour priorities and are periodically adjusted based on workforce demand.
Quebec Business Immigration Programs
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
This program is aimed at high-net-worth individuals willing to make a significant passive investment in Quebec. It remains one of the few investor-based immigration options in Canada, with strict financial and compliance requirements.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
For experienced business owners or managers looking to start or acquire a business in Quebec. Applicants must demonstrate business viability, management experience, and the ability to actively operate the enterprise.
Quebec Self-Employed Program
This pathway is for self-employed professionals such as artists, consultants, and independent service providers. Eligibility requirements are strict and include prior self-employment experience and minimum net-worth thresholds.
French Language and Quebec Values
Most Quebec immigration programs place significant importance on French language ability, particularly for economic immigrants. Applicants are also required to demonstrate knowledge of Quebec values, either by passing an approved test or completing a values integration course. French proficiency expectations vary by program, but higher levels generally improve selection chances and processing outcomes.
Recent Quebec Immigration Updates (As of December 2025)
- Quebec has continued to prioritise economic immigrants, particularly those already working or studying in the province
- Increased focus on French-speaking candidates across worker and graduate programs
- Adjustments to Arrima invitation rounds to better match labour market needs
- Continued use of targeted pilot programs instead of broad intake models
- Strong emphasis on integration, retention, and regional settlement
These updates indicate Quebec’s shift toward quality-driven immigration rather than volume-based intake.
Quebec Self-Employed Program
For self-employed people who live and work in Quebec, there is a program called Quebec Self-Employer. Not all independent contractors will be qualified for the program because of its extremely strict standards. You need to be self-employed for at least two years and have $100,000 in minimum net worth in Canadian dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quebec Immigration
No. Quebec does not participate in Express Entry. Applicants who wish to live in Quebec must apply through Quebec’s own immigration system.
The Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) confirms that Quebec has selected an applicant for permanent settlement in the province.
Start Your Quebec PR Journey Today
Quebec offers unique immigration pathways for skilled professionals, graduates, entrepreneurs, and investors who want to build a long-term future in a culturally vibrant and economically strong province. With the right planning, language strategy, and program selection, Canada PR through Quebec Immigration can be a highly rewarding pathway. Canada Immigration Global can help you:
- Identify the most suitable Quebec immigration program
- Prepare and submit Arrima profiles
- Improve your selection score with strategic planning
- Navigate the CSQ and federal PR stages smoothly
Speak with a regulated immigration consultant today and take the next step toward Quebec permanent residence.