Depending on your situation, there are several programs available to help you get started with your immigration plans to Québec.
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Knowing French to immigrate to Québec
French, Québec's official language, is the key that can open many doors in all areas of life.Knowledge of French is a crucial requirement for permanently immigrating to Québec with the main goal of working or conducting business there.
The purpose of the PSTQ is to select immigrants who meet a need in Québec, in line with the targets set out in its annual immigration plan.
You can complete the steps of your immigration process from Québec or abroad.
Step 1: File an expression of interest in immigrating to Québec
You can file an expression of interest online for free.
If you intend to file an expression of interest, you will need to:
Provide all the requested information;
Review the level of knowledge of French required for each stream of the PSTQ;
State your level of proficiency in French as shown on an official document accepted by the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) (Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration), even if you are a native French speaker;
Learn about the general and stream-specific conditions of the PSTQ.
Important: Filing an expression of interest does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation. The number of invitees will be informed by Québec’s annual targets in the skilled worker category and the invitation criteria determined for each round of invitations.
Step 2: Receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection
If your profile matches the MIFI’s criteria, you may be invited to apply for permanent selection.
Step 3: Apply for permanent selection
If you have been invited to apply for permanent selection and your application for permanent selection is approved, you will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) (Québec Selection Certificate).
You can then continue your immigration process with the Government of Canada.
Immigrating to Québec for business
If you are interested in carrying out a business project in Québec, you have three options:
Settle in Québec as an entrepreneur to start, acquire or take over a business, or carry out an innovative project with the support of an organization;
Québec is a modern society offering an exceptional quality of life and a robust job market. It's also a place known for its tolerance and cultural diversity, where everyone can feel safe and included.
Employment
Employee-employer relations are harmonious and based on a flexible, collaborative hierarchy. Working in Québec means having access to numerous opportunities for professional advancement and career change. Many sectors need skilled workers. Flexible work schedules help balance family and career.
A host of social programs have been set up to help families, students, workers and people in difficulty. Among other things, the government offers public insurance plans in the event of illness, road accident or work-related injury, as well as drug insurance and financial assistance for families.
Québec offers a safe environment where every individual is protected by an independent justice system, by a police force present throughout the territory and by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. This is a fundamental law to which other Québec laws must adhere in most cases.
The Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination on the basis of:
Race;
Color;
Gender;
Gender identity or expression;
Pregnancy;
Sexual orientation;
Marital status;
Age (except as provided by law);
Religion;
Political views;
Language;
Ethnic or national origin;
Social status;
Disability or the use of a means to palliate a disability.
Security
Québec's crime rate is among the lowest in the world. Public safety is a priority for the government.
Québec spans across an area that's 1.7 million square kilometres in size. Eighty percent (80%) of the 9 million people live in the southern part of the province, mainly along the St. Lawrence River.
There are lots of opportunities to settle in major urban centres or in a region outside the city.
Québec’s regions
Québec is made up of 17 regions, each with its own unique landscape, history and range of activities.
Québec is home to 3% of the world's renewable freshwater reserves, as well as numerous forests that play a key economic, social and environmental role.
The Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration holds information sessions focusing on life, work and immigration procedures in Québec. These sessions are free of charge and offered in several languages.
Immigration Fraud and How It Can Impact Your Immigration Plans
Your immigration plans are taking shape, and you’re just about ready to start applying. To avoid jeopardizing your plans, start by learning about the risks of making a false declaration, like your application being rejected and fines, in addition to tips and tricks to protect yourself from online scams if you decide to use a representative.