After obtaining your Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate)

When you obtain your Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate), you must continue your immigration procedures with the Government of Canada.

You must also take certain steps to promote your integration into Québec society.

After receiving your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate), you must submit anapplication for permanent residence (visa).  

If you already work in Québec and wish to continue working and living in Canada legally, you must have a valid work permit during your process of obtaining permanent residency from the Government of Canada.

The steps to take to renew your authorizations vary depending on whether or not you have submitted your permanent residence application. 

If you have not submitted a permanent residence application, you may submit an LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit application  to the Government of Canada. In this case, a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ - Québec Acceptation Certificate). However, your employer will have to make approaches to IRCC and will have to pay the fees relating to compliance in the Government of Canada Employer Portal.

If you have submitted a permanent residence application, two situations may arise:

• You have obtained an acknowledgment of receipt of your permanent residence application

or

• You have not received an acknowledgment of receipt

With an acknowledgment of receipt

You may submit a Bridging Open Work Permit application  to the Government of Canada. In this case, you do not have to obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).

Without acknowledgment of receipt

You may submit an LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit applications  to the Government of Canada.  In this case, you do not have to obtain a a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ - Québec Acceptation Certificate). However, your employer will also have to make approaches to the Government of Canada. Your employer will have to pay the fees relating to compliance in the Government of Canada Employer Portal.

When you transition from temporary immigration status to permanent status, you must make changes to certain documents.

Social insurance number (SIN)

You must obtain a permanent social insurance number  when you obtain permanent residence. For the steps to take, consult the page  Social Insurance Number from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Health insurance card

You must file a new application for a health insurance card with the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec  (RAMQ) by presenting the documents relating to your new status.

The health insurance plan may not cover your medical care for a period of three months. If this is your situation and you do not benefit from the group insurance of your educational institution or your employer, you are strongly advised to obtain private insurance for this period.

Driver's licence

You have to obtain a Québec driver's licence  for the authorization to drive.

You may have obtained authorization to drive in Québec using the driver's licence from your country of origin. You will be able to continue using your foreign driver's licence in Québec for a maximum of 6 months after the date on which you obtain your permanent status.

To promote your integration as soon as you obtain your Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate), you can:

• Register for Accompagnement Québec on Integration service for immigrants.
• Consult the guide Settle and integrate in Québec.
• Improve your French by following online French courses offered by the Government of Québec.
• Start the steps to Obtaining recognition of your competencies acquired abroad.