Requirements of the Immigration Program for skilled workers

On 21 March 2012, the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities has come to a decision regarding the intake of applications for selection certificates (in French, 167 Kb). Pursuant to the decision, the Minister determines the maximum number of applications that some skilled worker candidates will be allowed to submit between March 21, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

This decision is taken pending adoption by the National Assembly of Québec of a bill that would contain a provision, retroactive to 20 March 2012, authorizing the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities to make such determination.

To know if this decision applies to you  as well as the number of applications submitted to date, consult the section Intake of applications.

To be selected as an immigrant worker, 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 integration into the job market
  
  

Knowledge of French is an important asset. If in doubt, we strongly recommend that you check your level of knowledge of French with a recognized organization. Knowledge of English is also an asset not to be overlooked. You can take courses or acquire more experience in order to upgrade your occupational or language skills.

	PRACTICAL ADVICE
	Check if your profession or trade is regulated. Find out now about the conditions for practising in Québec. See Finding out about regulated professions or trades

Selection factors

Does your professional profile (as well as your spouse’s, if applicable) allow you to easily adapt to the requirements and rapid development of the Québec labour market? Check to see if you are eligible for the Immigration Program for skilled workers. The following employability factors will be taken into account:

• your schooling (your level of education and area of training)
• your work experience
• your age
• your knowledge of French and English
• your stays in Québec and family relationship with a Canadian citizen or a permanent Québec resident
• having a valid employment offer (this applies only if you have received a job offer that meets certain conditions from a Québec employer.) See the section Recrutement international - Embaucher un travailleur étranger permanent
• characteristics regarding your accompanying spouse or common-law spouse, if applicable
  
  

Other factors that will be taken into account when your application is assessed are:

• the number of children under the age of 22 who will be accompanying you to Québec.
• your capacity for financial self-sufficiency (you must sign a contract confirming your commitment to provide for your needs and your family’s needs for at least the first three months following your arrival in Québec).
• your adaptability (preparation of your immigration project) which will be assessed based on the steps that you have undertaken to facilitate your socioeconomic integration and your personal qualities with regard to your work activities.

Points will be awarded, if applicable, for each of these selection factors. The assessment of your application will help to determine if you obtain a sufficient number of points to be selected by Québec. The Summmary table of factors and criteria used to select skilled workers (in French - PDF, 414 Kb) presents the factors and criteria as well as how they are weighted and the passing scores that apply to skilled workers, as stipulated in Schedule A of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals and the Regulation respecting the weighting applicable to the selection of foreign nationals in effect since October 14, 2009.

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	Self-employed workers If you are a self-employed worker, you may be eligible for the Self-employed Worker Program for businesspeople. Temporary workers If you wish to stay in Québec in order to fill a temporary position, consult the Temporary workers section.

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