You are a recognized refugee or a person in need of protection in Canada if you are in one of the following situations:
- The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) recognizes you as a refugee under the United Nations Convention relating to the status of refugees (the Convention) or as a person in need of protection following the submission of an asylum application;
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved your application for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA).
If you live in Québec, you will need to complete the following two steps at the same time as soon as you receive a positive decision from the IRB or IRCC:
- Submit an application for permanent selection to the Government of Québec (to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) - Québec Selection Certificate);
- Submit an application for permanent residence with the Government of Canada.
Important: To work in Québec, a work permit is required. As these permits are valid for a limited period, they must be renewed with IRCC until you obtain permanent residence.
Submit a permanent selection application to the Gouvernement du Québec
If you have been recognized as a refugee or a person in need of protection in Canada, you must submit an application for permanent selection with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). This application is required to obtain a CSQ, which will give you access to certain government services, such as health insurance provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
The steps to apply for permanent selection are as follows:
1- Complete and sign the form
You must complete and sign the following form (A-0520-DF - in French only):
This permanent selection application must include all members of your family (spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, and, if applicable, any dependent child of that child). Family members also include:
- Those who are in Québec and have not been recognized as refugees or persons in need of protection;
- Those who are abroad.
Be sure to complete and sign the form.
2- Attach photocopies of the requested documents
The list of required documents can be found in Part 2 of the A-0520-DF form.
Make sure to provide photocopies of all the documents requested and include them with your application. Photocopies must be legible and complete.
3- Please send the form and photocopies of the required documents by mail
Please send your application to the following address:
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Direction du regroupement familial et de l’enregistrement
Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
204 - 1200, boulevard Saint-Laurent
Montréal (Québec) H2X 0C9
CANADA
If you did not include all of your family members in your initial permanent selection application, you can submit a new application on their behalf using form A-0520-DF.
To do so, you must:
- Check the appropriate box on page 1 of the form to indicate that you wish to add one or more family members to your initial application;
- Please provide the ID number of your initial request;
- Please complete the sections that apply to your situation.
Free of charge and processing times
The review of your application is free.
The processing times vary from 25 to 60 days.
We are currently processing applications received on March 29, 2026.
The MIFI is currently receiving an exceptionally high volume of applications from people recognized as refugees or in need of protection.
This information on processing times is updated regularly.
Issuance of a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec Selection Certificate)
If your application for permanent selection is approved, you and your family members who are in Québec and have been recognized as refugees or persons in need of protection will receive your Québec Selection Certificates by mail.
The certificate is valid for 24 months. However, if you have an application for permanent residence currently being processed, your CSQ will remain valid until a decision is made by IRCC, even if your CSQ has expired.
To access certain services, you may be asked to present your Québec Selection Certificate even if it has expired. Proof that an application for permanent residence has been submitted to IRCC may also be required.
If you have included family members in your application for permanent selection who are not recognized as refugees or in need of protection, or who are living abroad, you must take additional steps to ensure they obtain their Québec Selection Certificate.
Family members who are not recognized as refugees or in need of protection, as well as those living abroad, will not receive their certificates at the same time as you.
- In order for them to obtain their Québec Selection Certificate, you must send us a copy of the letter from IRCC requesting the issuance of their Québec Selection Certificate by mail (see the address above) so that their application for permanent residence can be processed further.
The copy of the letter from IRCC must be accompanied by an explanatory letter, a copy of your certificate (as the main applicant) and, if possible, a photocopy of the passports of the persons concerned.
Being represented by a person when filing an application
You do not need to hire someone to help you with your permanent immigration application. You will not receive priority or special treatment if you use the services of an immigration professional.
Should you still decide to use the services of a person to represent you, whether paid or unpaid, consult the page Get represented in your immigration procedures. Make sure that the person you pay to represent you has the authority to do so.
Submit a permanent residence application to the Government of Canada
You must submit a permanent residence (visa) application to the Government of Canada. This application covers your family members in Québec and abroad.
You do not have to wait to obtain your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec Selection Certificate) to submit your application.
Visit the page Application for Permanent Residence in Canada — Protected Persons and Convention Refugees on the IRCC website to find out what steps to take.
Integration services you are entitled to
As soon as you receive a positive decision from the IRB regarding your asylum claim or from IRCC regarding your Pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), you can continue with your integration process in Québec and access a range of services.
Before you have received your CSQ, you can:
- Access various forms of government support depending on your situation:
- Take advantage of family support programs, such as the Family Allowance and the Canada Child Benefit:
- To apply for the allowance offered by the Government of Québec, please register on the Retraite Québec website.
- You can apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) online via your CRA account (My Account). Alternatively, you can apply by mail by following these steps.
- Sign up for free part-time or full-time French courses and receive financial support:
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for financial support for:
- Your attendance at classes;
- Childcare or care for dependants with disabilities;
- Transport.
We recommend that you apply for financial assistance 60 days before the start of the course. You also have 60 days after the start of the course to submit your application.
- Enrol your children for free for preschool, primary and secondary education;
- Apply for legal aid, a public legal service provided free of charge to people receiving social assistance or social solidarity benefits (other than special benefits), or for a fee to financially eligible individuals who apply for it. View the eligibility criteria;
- Benefit from the Québec Parental Insurance Plan;
- Sign up for the Objectif Intégration sessions to familiarize yourself with democratic and Québec values, cultural norms and the world of work in Québec. Financial assistance may be granted once the course has been completed;
- Having your qualifications obtained abroad recognized;
- Take advantage of the integration services offered by partner community organizations;
Many of the Québec government’s partner organizations can help you with your integration process. These organizations are located throughout the province and offer the following services:
- Personalized support for various needs relating to settling in and integration (e.g.: personalized support with various aspects of settling in and integrating (e.g., help with administrative procedures, managing personal finances, information on job search, education, healthcare and service providers);
- Intercultural twinning activities;
- Group activities.
- Find a job by using the employability services provided by the Government of Québec. These services can help you find a job and are available at the BSQ (Bureaux Services Québec) offices, located throughout the province. You can find your nearest BSQ using the online BSQ office locator.
- Important reminder
- Until you obtain permanent residence, you will always need to hold a work permit in order to work. Work permits are valid for a limited period. They must be renewed until permanent residence is obtained.
- To find out how long it takes to process a work permit application, please visit the IRCC website, where you can apply.
Once you have received your CSQ, you can:
- Obtain a health insurance card from the Régie de l’assurance maladie (RAMQ) to access health, hospital and prescription drug coverage.
- You must apply to the RAMQ as soon as you receive your Québec Selection Certificate. In fact, your medical cover under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) ends 90 days after a positive decision on your asylum application.
- Every member of your family must have their own health insurance card.
- Once you have your RAMQ card, you can join the waiting list for the Québec Family Doctor Finder You can register online or by telephone.
- Sign up with Accompagnement Québec, the integration service for immigrants;
Accompagnement Québec is a government service designed to facilitate your integration and participation in French into Québec society. MIFI’s integration support workers will assess your immediate or future needs and create a personalized action plan to support you as you settle in and integrate.
You can register with Accompagnement Québec via the Arrima platform. When registering, you must select ‘Other categories’, then ‘Refugee recognized in Canada’ and provide your Québec Selection Certificate number.
- Enrol in a college or university program (depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver) and gain access to student financial support.
To pursue post-secondary studies, you must obtain a study permit by following the steps set out by IRCC. Before submitting your application, please make sure you read the following:
- To obtain your study permit, you must first be accepted by an educational institution and receive an official letter of acceptance;
- To find out how long it takes to process a study permit application, please visit the IRCC website.
Please note: Children aged 18 and over must apply for a study permit even if they are still in secondary school.
You are entitled to certain fee waivers and exemptions from additional tuition fees for adult education, college and university courses. Certain eligibility conditions may apply. For more information, please visit the page Exemptions from differential tuition fees based on immigration status.
- Access childcare at a reduced rate;
For information on settling in and integrating into life in Québec, please visit:
- the guide page Settle and integrate in Québec;
- The Carnets de route website brings together in one place all the essential information needed to help refugees and asylum seekers settle in. It was developed in partnership with the MIFI.
Contact the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: from 8:00 to 16:00
Wednesday: from 10:00 to 16:30
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Greater Montréal: 514-864-9191
Elsewhere in Québec (Toll free): 1-877-864-9191
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Last update: April 27, 2026