Quebec Immigration

Canada has many provinces (states) and one of those provinces in Canada is called Quebec. Canada has two official languages – English and French. In the province of Quebec, the official language is French and English is considered as a second language. Since 85% of the population in Quebec is French-speaking, the Government of Quebec has made an agreement with the Federal Government of Canada to choose and select its own immigrants. Since 1993, Quebec has its own immigration department, offices and visa officers all over the world.

Quebec is a highly multi-cultural society with a sizeable population of Asian origin. It has many temples and Gurudwaras, Indian restaurants and several Indian grocery stores. Quebec also has a very high living standard and very safe cities with low crime rates. More than 20,000 Indians have chosen to live in the province of Quebec.

Quebec immigration regulations are also based on the point system and occupation list. As per the latest regulations Quebec has three occupations lists:

  1. High Demand occupation list
  2. Occupations with preferred training
  3. Non admissible occupation list

The immigration assessment process involves two stages, the first stage under which the applicant must meet minimum requirements and then an assessment is made under the second stage for immigration purposes.

In the 1st stage, a passing point of 30 for unmarried persons and 35 for married persons is stipulated. The criteria based on which points are awarded are Education, Work Experience, Age, Knowledge of French and English language, Stay in Quebec and Relationship with Quebec and if married, spouse’s Education, Age, Work Experience and Knowledge of languages.

Once an applicant has met this minimum requirement an assessment is made under a different set of selection points where the passing point is 50 for unmarried and 58 for married persons. The criteria based on which immigration selections are made are same as stage 1 and additional criteria included are Personal qualities, Motivation, Knowledge of Quebec and Stay, Number of children and Settlement fund.

Applicants who qualify under the Quebec immigration program are required to make an application to the Quebec Immigration office using the prescribed forms duly completed along with all supporting documents. The Quebec government holds an interview. Visa processing fee of CD$300 and CD$100 for each additional person included in the application has to be paid to the Government of Quebec. Applicants must also show a minimum required funds in bank or cash.

Interviews for immigrant visa are conducted in French and/or English. However, better the command of French language, the greater are the chances of passing the interview. On passing the interview a Selection Certificate which is also known as “Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ)” will be issued by the Quebec government.

Once this Quebec Selection Certificate is received, applicants are required to make an application to the Canadian Government (Federal Approval) along with the same visa processing fees (CD$550 per adult and CD$150 per child) and Right of Landing fees (CD$490 per adult) for issuing Medical and Security clearance for the applicant and his/her family members at the Canadian High Commission. The CHC office does not conduct an interview.

On passing the medical and security clearance, an immigrant visa is issued by the Canadian Government which gives the applicant and his/her family the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. Total processing time could be 18-24 months.

In general, applicants under the age of 35 years with good knowledge of English, six months study of French language at a French language school and with six months of work experience may have very high chances of obtaining Canadian Immigration under the Quebec Immigration Program.

Therefore, if you are serious about immigrating to Canada go out and learn the French language and you will on your way to Canada! In any case, learning a second European language will not harm you but it will prove to be a lifetime professional asset!

Quebec Immigration Process:

  1. Client provides information and assessment is done.
  2. If the assessment is positive, a contact to retain our services is signed by the client. A retainer is paid by the client to our firm at this time.
  3. A list of supporting documents to be collected and forms, which the client must complete in draft form and return to our office in Canada, are provided. If necessary, the client will be contacted for more information and / or missing documents.
  4. Application is made to the Quebec Immigration Office along with Visa fees of CD$300 per applicant and CD$100 for each member of the family included in the application. Quebec has separate forms and different processing of applications.
  5. Interview letter is received within 12-15 months. Interviews are held at the Canadian High Commission building but are conducted by a Quebec immigration officer visiting from Syria. Bank balance must be shown at this time to the visa officer.
  6. If client passes in the interview an approval letter is issued.
  7. Once the Quebec approval letter is received, a new application is made to the Canadian High Commission (federal approval) in Canadian High Commission along with Visa fees of CD$550 per applicant, CD$150 per child under 22 years of age and Right of Landing fees for every person over the age of 22 years.
  8. The CIC office will issue a medical within 8-10 months which the client undergo in his / her country of residence. The same applies for all family members included in the application.
  9. Client must also provide a Police Clearance Certificate.
  10. Once the client has passed both these tests, the final visa will be issued which is stamped on the passports sent to the CIC office.
  11. Once the client comes to Canada, he will receive a Pink Card (similar to Green Card of USA) within two weeks.
  12. Social Insurance Number and Medicare card is received within 4-6 weeks after application is made in Canada.

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