An overview of Quebec Immigration

In the province of Quebec, as contrary, the first official language is French and English is considered as a second language. As 85% of the population in the province of Quebec is French-speaking, the Government of Quebec has made a contract with the Federal Government of Canada to pick and select its own immigrants. Since 1993, the province of Quebec has its own immigration department, offices and visa officers all over the world.

Quebec is an extremely multi-cultural society with a large population of Asian origin. Quebec also has an extremely high living standard and very safe cities with little crime rates.

Quebec immigration regulations are too based on the point system and profession list. As per the most recent regulations Quebec has three occupations lists:

1. High Demand occupation list
2. Occupations with preferred training
3. Non admissible occupation list

The immigration evaluation process involves two stages, the initial stage under which the candidate have to meet minimum requirements and then an evaluation is made under the second stage for immigration purposes.

In the primary stage, a passing point of 30 for single persons and 35 for married persons is set. The criteria based on which points are given are Education, Work Experience, Age, Knowledge of French and English language; reside in Quebec and association / relations in Quebec. If married, Education, Age, Work Experience and languages proficiency of applicant’s spouse.

Once a candidate has met this minimum requirement an evaluation is made under a special set of selection points where the passing point is 50 for unmarried and 58 for married persons. The criteria based on which immigration assortment are made are same as phase 1 and extra criteria included are personal qualities, motivation, knowledge and Stay of Quebec, number of children and Settlement fund.

Applicants who meet the criteria of the Quebec immigration program are required to formulate an application to the Quebec Immigration office using the given forms duly completed along with all supporting documents. The government of Quebec holds an interview of the applicant. Visa processing fee of $300 CAD for main applicant and $100 CAD for each additional person included in the application has to be paid to the Government of Quebec. Applicants have to also show a minimum required funds in bank or cash.

Interviews are conducted in French or English. Though, better the command of French language, the better are the chances of passing the interview. On passing the interview a selection certificate known as Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) will be issued to the applicant by the Quebec government.

When this Quebec Selection Certificate is received, applicants are required to make an request to the Canadian government for federal approval together with passing a medical examination and security and criminal checks, the same visa processing fees i.e. $550 CAD per adult and $150 CAD per child and Right of Landing fees $975 CD per adult. The CHC office does not carry out an interview.

As a general rule, applicants under the age of 35 years with good understanding of English, six months study of French language at a French speech school and with six months of work experience might have very high chances of getting Canadian Immigration under the Quebec Immigration Program.