Permanent Worker Quebec Immigration: Skilled Workers

The Quebec Province Nomination Program (QPNP) is one of the more friendly and rational immigration program in Canada. The qualifying points calculation is very well balanced between the Priority Sectors Occupations, Educational Qualifications, knowledge of French and size of family.

To be selected as an immigrant worker under the Quebec Nomination Program, you must, in particular:

• settle in Québec with the goal of being employed there
• hold at least one diploma that corresponds, in the Québec education system, to a Secondary School Diploma or a Diploma of Vocational Studies
• have acquired training and occupational skills that will facilitate your insertion into the job market

Knowledge of French is the base for your selection and an important asset.

To qualify under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, applicants are required to demonstrate their ability to become economically established in Quebec.

The Immigration-Québec office serving your country checks that all the required documents are included in your application and if it is eligible for priority processing.

An acknowledgment of receipt is usually sent to you to confirm your application when the file is complete or, if applicable, to indicate that your application will be prioritized for processing. If your file is incomplete, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt with a list of missing documents as well as the deadlines for submitting them.

Your file will only be assessed once all of the missing documents have been received.
One of three decisions is made once your application has been assessed:

• Selection based on the file: In some cases, an interview is not necessary and the application is processed solely on the basis of the applicant’s file. If your file is complete and your assessment indicates that you have attained the general passing grade of the selection grid, the interview may not be required. In this case, you will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate) in the mail as well as information about Québec. You will be notified of the next steps in your immigration process.

• Notice of intent to reject the application: You will receive a letter informing you that your application will be rejected, unless you provide, within 60 days, documented proof to justify reviewing the decision. Upon receipt of the missing information, if the documented proof is deemed acceptable, the review of your application will continue. If you fail to provide the requested proof within the prescribed timeframe, your application will be rejected without further notice.

• Notice to attend an interview: When necessary, the interview serves to complete the assessment process. Most candidates must attend a selection interview with a counsellor from Immigration Québec. If the preliminary review of your application is positive, you will be invited to a selection interview. This notice specifies the date, time and place of the interview as well as the documents you will have to have on hand.

During this interview, the immigration counsellor reviews the information provided in the Application for a Selection Certificate, particularly the information on schooling, work experience and language knowledge. The counsellor also checks whether you have correctly completed the Contract concerning your capacity for financial self-sufficiency. When applicable, the counsellor will explain the importance of this legal obligation and make the necessary corrections with you. The counsellor then evaluates your capacity to settle successfully in Québec and will ask you questions to assess the feasibility of your immigration plans. Most importantly, the counsellor will judge your knowledge of French, irrespective of any results provided by you to justify your level of French. The counsellor wants to listen to your French and not look at your results. This evaluation primarily focuses on your knowledge of Québec, the steps you have taken and your personal suitability. The latter two aspects are assessed on the basis of your professional activities.

The selection interview is the ideal time to talk about your immigration plan with the counsellor and to ask questions.

Approximate duration of the selection interview: 30 to 60 minutes.

Following the interview, three results are possible:

1. Approval: If the assessment is positive, the counsellor will inform you of the next steps to follow in your immigration process. If possible, the counsellor will immediately issue your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate). Otherwise it will be mailed to you. You will also receive a kit containing important information which you will be asked to read carefully. Depending on your needs, the counsellor may also give you other specific documents.

2. Rejection: If the assessment reveals that you do not meet the selection criteria, an explanatory letter is given to you. You will also be informed of your right to submit a request for an administrative review.

3. Notice of intent to reject the application: If supporting documentation is missing, the counsellor will give you an explanatory notice of intent to reject the application. You will then have 60 days to provide the proof requested. If you do not provide the necessary proof within this timeframe, your application will be refused without further notice. You will then have the right to submit a request for an administrative review.

My next article will detail on the calculation of points system.