Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)

Quebec Immigration: Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)

Quebec is one of the province of Canada and it operates its own permanent immigration programs. This is because of the French language and cultural heritage, Quebec holds a unique position in the Canadian Immigration landscape.

Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) one of main immigration program for those who are willing to settle in Quebec.

Previously, this program was called Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which was changed in November 2024.

SWSP selection was based on factors like applicants’ profile, education level, language proficiency, work experience and possible ties to Quebec.

Overview

The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) is permanent immigration program for skilled worker in Quebec.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) is a well-established permanent immigration program for skilled workers in Quebec.

Applicants who are willing to migrate through SWSP are required to first declare an Expression of Interest (EOI) to migrate to Quebec through an online portal. This is similar to Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Express Entry program. The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) vigilantly select candidates from the pool and invites them to apply for permanent selection.

Once a candidate is selected in SWSP, they are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). They can then apply for PR visa to the Canadian government. Criminal and medical background is carried by IRCC.

French language proficiency is made mandatory for both principal and sponsored applicant in SWSP from November 2023. On November 29, 2024, Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) was replaced by the new system known as Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP).

Streams under the SWSP

There are four streams in SWSP. Each stream is designed to aim for selected candidates of different professions and skills. The selection can be based on skill levels, regulated professions or exceptional talent.

There are separate criteria for each streams. The applicant is required to meet these criteria along with the general eligibility factors. Once the applicant has cleared all these selection requirement, they will be eligible for a CAQ.

The four stream of Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) is as follows:

1. The Highly qualified and specialized skills stream;
2. The Intermediate and manual skills stream;
3. The Regulated professions stream; and
4. The Exceptional talent stream.

Note: FÉER is an abbreviation for Formation, Études, Expérience et Responsabilités. FÉER is the French translation for the TEER system of IRCC. The TEER system falls under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. This system is used to segregate and classify the occupations as per skill level.

SWSP Eligibility

The applicant is only eligible for CSQ in the SWSP, only when he/she meet the requirement for both, the general program eligibility and the specific stream eligibility as per the occupation.

Eligibility for General Program:

• Age should not be less than 18 years.
• Willing to settle in Quebec and work in company.
• They must not have legal or de facto control of the company (directly or indirectly)
• They must work in a company that does not operate in prohibited areas or industries.
• Do and perform the job they are hired to do in a company.
• Enter correct information in there application
• Signing a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract to prove that they can provide for themselves, and if there is any accompanying family member. This need to shown for the period of three months after becoming a permanent resident.
• Attestation of learning for democratic and leaning values of Quebec.
• For any family member who is accompanying the applicant above the age of 18 is required to have an attestation as well.
• Sponsored family must also comply with any condition stipulating for their return to country, as presented in the agreement of the scholarship in Quebec.

Prohibited areas of employment are given below:

1. Payday loans;
2. Cheque cashing;
3. Pawn broking; or
4. Production, sale, or distribution of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services related to the sex industry.

Eligibility for Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills

Candidate who is working in a occupation that falls under FEER 0, 1, or 2, highly qualified and specialized skills stream is used.

Work experience

• Applicants must be employed in an occupation classified under FEER levels 0, 1, or 2. Additionally, the occupation must be recognized as regulated in the province of Quebec. For such regulated professions, candidates may apply under Stream 3 of the Quebec SWSP.
• A minimum of 1 year of paid work experience (or its equivalent) in the primary occupation within the specified FEER category is required. This experience can be gained either in Quebec or abroad, provided it was obtained within the 5 years preceding the application.
• Internships completed as part of a degree program may be considered toward the work experience requirement, for a maximum duration of up to 3 months.

Education

A diploma that directly links to the profession, with atleast one year of full time studies, equivalent in Quebec to:

• A Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) or Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP);
• An Attestation of Collegial Studies (AEC) or Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in technical studies; or
• A certificate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate. These degrees should have atleast 900 hours of secondary/college levels or 30 credits for university level.

French Proficiency

• Applicants must demonstrate French language proficiency of at least level 7 in oral skills and level 5 or higher on the Échelle Québécoise.
• Accompanying spouses are required to have a minimum French proficiency of level 4 in oral skills.

Eligibility for Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills

This stream is for candidates whose occupation falls in FEER 3, 4, or 5.

Work experience

• Work experience must be in an unregulated occupation classified under FEER levels 3, 4, or 5.
• Applicants must have at least 2 years of paid work experience in their primary occupation, including a minimum of one year gained in Quebec within the last 5 years.
• Work experience obtained outside Quebec can be counted for up to 1 year, provided the occupation falls within the same NOC or a closely related category (typically sharing the same first digit of the NOC code).
• Internships completed as part of a degree program may be considered toward the work experience requirement for up to 3 months. For internships completed in Quebec, the experience must be in the same NOC or a related category (usually with the same first digit of the NOC code).

Education

Applicant must have a minimum of one of these education listed below:

• A Québec high school diploma; or
• A diploma of at least one year full-time equivalent, corresponding to a DEP, ASP, or Attestation of College Studies.
• For diplomas in Quebec, a minimum of 600 hours at secondary level or 900 hours at college level.

French Proficiency

• Applicants must demonstrate French language proficiency of at least level 5 on the Échelle Québécoise.
• Accompanying spouses are required to have a minimum French proficiency of level 4 in oral skills.

Eligibility for Stream 3: Regulated Professions

This stream is designed for candidates who occupation is listed on the List of Regulated Professions. This list is maintained by Québec’s Ministère.

Occupation requirement

• The main occupation should be on the List of Regulated Professions. Note: the occupation’s main job roles should be regulated not just the job title. Some occupations are fully regulated like mechanical engineer while others are partially regulated like criminologist within social sciences)
• If the occupation is fully regulated, then the applicant can apply through this stream.
• If the occupation is partially regulated, then they the option to apply via stream 1, 2, or 3. This depends on the FEER categories of their occupation.

Proof from a Regulatory Authority

The candidates are required to have of the following proof with the last 5 years:

• Authorization to practise in Québec;
• Proof of partial recognition of training or diploma; or
• Proof of full recognition of training or diploma.

These documents does not necessarily guarantee the authorization to practise, however they do help your chances in approval. The documents mentioned above should not be older than 5 years from the date of submission.

French Proficiency

The language requirements depends on the FEER category of the applicant:

• FEER 0–2: Oral French at level 7+, written French at level 5+.
• FEER 3–5: Oral French at level 5+. Spouses must have oral French at level 4 or higher.

Eligibility for Stream 4: Exceptional Talent

This stream is used to select candidates with outstanding expertise which in return will help in Quebec’s prosperity and

Exceptional skills

To qualify in this stream, applicant is required to demonstrate their exceptional skills. This is demonstrated by a track record of achievements.

In a more specific manner, candidate must show:

• Show distinction in the primary occupation through exceptional expertise, which can contribute to Quebec’s prosperity.
• Show track records of achievements that are linked to their area of expertise.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the main occupation (within the period of 5 years from the date of submission).
  • Internships completed as part of a degree program may be considered toward the work experience requirement for up to 3 months (paid or unpaid)

Recognition of achievements

Candidate must have:

• Have an achievement listed on the Ministère’s official “List of Achievements”; or
• Obtain an opinion from one of the Ministère’s designated partners in a targeted field

Targeted fields and the associated designated partners are listed below:

• Strategic economic sectors: ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE) (in French only);
• Research: Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ) (in French only);
• Arts: Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec (CALQ);
• Sports: Institut national du Sport du Québec (INS).

Immigration process under the SWSP

Step 1 – Submit Your Profile

Start by creating and submitting your profile through the Arrima pool. Your profile will be scored based on factors like your age, education, language ability, and work experience.

Step 2 – Get Invited to Apply

If your score is high enough, the Government of Quebec may invite you to apply for permanent selection. These invitations are issued through regular draws from the pool.

Step 3 – Complete Your Application

Once invited, you’ll use the Mon Projet Quebec portal to fill out and submit your application. Through this portal, you can also:

• Pay your fees online
• Track and update your application at any time
• Communicate via a dedicated personal email

Step 4 – Receive Your CSQ

If your application is approved, you’ll be issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) — your green light to move to the next stage.

Step 5 – Apply for Permanent Residence

With your CSQ in hand, you can apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence. At this stage, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will carry out medical and criminal background checks before making a final decision.

Quebec’s Expression of Interest System

For the selection of skilled candidates, EOI (Expression of Interest) is a 2 part process.

Step 1:

Submission of an online EOI to Arrima. This step is known as the pre screening process for government. The government use this process to rank candidates based on criteria like human capital and labour market.

Step 2:

This step involves inviting top ranked applicant for PR visa through regular draws from the pool. There are many factors that play a vital role in the invitation process. These factors are:

• Annual admission targets
• Candidate ranking score
• Job offer letter
• Target occupations
• Immigration processing capacity

SWSP Processing Fees

Processing fees for the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program, effective January 1, 2025, are as follows: