Choosing to immigrate to Québec

Depending on your situation, there are several programs available to help you get started with your immigration plans 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 importance of French in Québec

If you want to immigrate to Québec permanently as a skilled worker, you need the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) (Skilled Worker Selection Program) (in French and English).

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.
• Completing an expression of interest in immigrating to Québec (in French and English)

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.

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; 
• Settle in Québec as an investor; 
• Settle in Québec as a self-employed worker. 

Find out about programs, procedures and eligibility criteria.

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. 

Learn more about the Québec job market 

Education 

The education system is made up of several levels:       

• Pre-school education;
• Elementary and secondary education;
• College studies;
• University studies;
• Postgraduate training. 

The public system is entirely secular. In most educational institutions, classes are mixed. 

Understanding Québec’s education system. 

Social programs 

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. 

• Childcare
• Support for families
• Healthcare
• Social assistance
• Job Loss Support 

Security and justice  

Rights and freedoms 

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. 

Find out more about policing and crime prevention  

Understanding Québec’s justice system 

Values of Québec society 

Québec society is founded on many core values: 

• Québec is a French-speaking society; 
• Québec is a democratic society; 
• Québec is a lay State;
• The rule of law means that no one is above the law;
• Citizens can publicly express their political opinions;
• Women and men have the same rights, obligations and responsibilities in public and private life. 

Sharing Québec’s Key Values​​​​​​​

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. 

Highlights of the 17 regions of Québec 

Discover the highlights of each region 

Québec at a glance 

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. 

View Québec at a glance

Québec's changing seasonal characters 

There are four distinct seasons in Québec: cold, snowy winter, hot, humid summer in the south, more moderate spring and autumn. 

Québec’s changing seasonal characters

Information sessions on Québec 

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. 

View the session calendar

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.

Read the web page on immigration fraud