After receiving your Certificat de sélection (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate) through the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (Skilled Worker Selection Program)

Once you have obtained your Certificat de sélection du Québec, you must continue your immigration process with the Canadian government.

You will also need to take certain steps to facilitate your integration into Québec society. 

Once you have obtained your Certificat de sélection du Québec, you must apply for permanent residence with the federal government.

If you hold a valid Certificat de sélection du Québec, i.e., one that is 24 months old or less, or if you are waiting for a decision on your application for permanent residence and you live abroad, you may be eligible for the International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+). This programme allows you to get an open work permit which will enable you to arrive in Québec and start working more quickly.

If you are already working in Québec and want to continue working here and stay in Canada legally, you need to find out if you can keep a valid work permit while you apply to the Canadian government for permanent residency.

The steps to take depend on whether you have already submitted your application for permanent residence:

If you have not applied for permanent residence, you can apply to the Government of Canada for a work permit linked to a specific employer, exempt from a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). In this case, you don't need to obtain a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ). However, your employer will have to take steps with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and pay the compliance fees on the federal government's Employer Portal.

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

• You have received an acknowledgement of receipt of your application for permanent residence;
• You have not received an acknowledgement of receipt.

With an acknowledgement of receipt, you can apply for a bridging open work permit from the Canadian government. In this case, you don't need to obtain a CAQ.

Without an acknowledgement of receipt, you can apply with the Government of Canada for a work permit linked to a specific employer, exempt from a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). In this case, you don't need to obtain a CAQ. However, your employer will have to take steps with the Canadian government and pay the compliance fees on the federal government's Employer Portal. 

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

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You must get a permanent Social Insurance Number (SIN) when you become a permanent resident. To find out how, please visit the Government of Canada page on Social Insurance Number.

Health insurance card

You must apply for a new health insurance card from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) by submitting the documents supporting your new status.

It is possible that health insurance will not cover your medical care for a period of three months. If this is your case, and you are not covered by your employer's or educational institution's group insurance plan, we strongly recommend that you take out private insurance for this period.

Driver's licence

You must obtain a Québec driver's licence in order to be allowed to drive.

If you obtained authorization to drive in Québec with a driver's licence from your country of origin, you may use it for a maximum of six months following the date you obtain permanent status.  

Whether you're in Québec or abroad, you can start or continue the process of settling and integrating in Québec. Here are some steps you can take:

• Sign up with Accompagnement Québec, the integration service for immigrants.
• See the Settle and integrate in Québec guide.
• Improve your French. Visit the page Apprendre le français (Learn French). 

If you're arriving in Québec via Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, you'll be greeted by the Service d'accueil team from the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration. Our team members will be able to sign you up for information sessions about Québec.

If you are arriving from an international flight, you must first pass through Canadian customs. You will then be directed to the Welcome Desk of the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration. It is located before the exit from the restricted zone, to your left, after you've handed in your customs declaration. Opening hours are from noon to midnight.

 

If you are arriving on a flight from another Canadian airport, please proceed to the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration Welcome Desk in the national arrivals area. Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

To get to your destination in Québec, various transportation services are available from the airport.