Canada

Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Quebec provides new details on Expression of Interest ranking system Quebec will consider U.S. work experience among ranking factors August 1, 2018

The new system for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) will replace the current first- come, first-served application process.

The process of applying immigration under the Quebec Skilled Worker program consists of the following steps:

1. Submission of an Expression of Interest to settle in Quebecand entry into Quebec’s Expression of Interest Bank.
2. Successful selection from the Quebec Expression of Interest Bankresults in an invitation to apply for the QSWP.
3. Submission of an application for a Quebec Selection Certificate, or certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) to the MIDI.
4. Submission of a Canadian permanent residence application to the Federal Government

After submitting an Expression of Interest to MIDI, candidates will be entered into the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank.

The candidates confirming the requirements, cut-off thresholds and passing scores for the program will be considered for selection.

The ranking system considers work experience in the United States, making Quebec’s the only immigration system in Canada that currently considers U.S. work experience during the process of ranking candidates.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) candidates who submit their profile to the program’s new Expression of Interest Bank will be classified in two groups:

• Group A – Candidates with a job offer or who are living in Quebec meeting specific criteria
• Group B – Candidates living outside of Quebec.

Group A	Group B
The first group is for candidates who	The second group is for candidates who do not reside in Quebec
Have a job offer in Quebec; OR Are residing in Quebec with the aim of working and have a work permit along with an eligible degree from a Quebec educational institution; OR Have a work permit that is valid for 12 months or more, six-months of full-time
work experience and are currently Working full -time.
Ranking on the basis of scores obtained under the following factors: Age Quebec degree Canadian or U.S. work experience Proficiency in French Knowledge of other languages Education A spouse or common-law partner’seducation and proficiency in French	Ranking on the basis of scores obtained under the following factors: Age Quebec degree Canadian or U.S. work experience Proficiency in French Knowledge of other languages Education A spouse or common-law partner’seducation and proficiency in French Training that Quebec has listed as in- demand

Candidates in both groups will also receive points for the following “Skill Transferability” combinations:

1. Education along with proficiency in French (either their own or, if applicable, their spouse’s — whichever score is highest);
2. Education combined with work experience in Canada or the US and proficiency in French;
3. Foreign work experience combined with proficiency in French;
4. Foreign work experience combined with work experience in Canada or the U.S. and proficiency in French.