Quebec Immigration: How the Quebec Selection Process Works
TL;DR — Quebec is the only Canadian province with full constitutional authority over economic immigration. Under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec independently selects immigrants who intend to settle in the province through the Ministere de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Integration (MIFI). Selected applicants receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de selection du Quebec, CSQ), then apply to IRCC for permanent residence under the Quebec-selected categories. French-language ability is heavily weighted in selection.
How Quebec immigration is different
Quebec's immigration system is constitutionally distinct from the rest of Canada. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec:
- Sets its own annual immigration targets (independent of the federal Levels Plan).
- Selects all economic immigrants destined for the province.
- Manages all settlement and integration services for newcomers.
- Can negotiate sub-agreements with foreign countries for immigration cooperation.
IRCC retains authority over admissibility (security, criminality, medical) and final permanent-residence approval.
Main Quebec economic programs
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (Programme regulier des travailleurs qualifies, PRTQ)
The main skilled-worker program. Applicants must:
- Demonstrate a profile of factors including age, education, work experience, French language ability, employment in Quebec, area of training, spouse's profile, financial autonomy, and adaptability.
- Pass through Arrima — Quebec's online Expression of Interest pool.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply through periodic invitation rounds (similar to Express Entry but operated by MIFI).
- Submit a full CSQ application within the deadline.
Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l'experience quebecoise, PEQ)
For applicants already in Quebec as graduates or workers:
- PEQ Diploma stream: Quebec graduates from a recognized institution who completed a degree, technical diploma, or vocational diploma in Quebec, with intermediate French (B2 oral).
- PEQ Worker stream: Foreign workers with at least 24 months of full-time skilled work experience in Quebec in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations and intermediate French (B2 oral).
PEQ has fast processing — historically 6 months or less.
Investor and Entrepreneur Programs
Quebec runs separate streams for business immigration:
- Quebec Investor Program (suspended since early 2024 pending redesign).
- Quebec Entrepreneur Program.
- Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program.
All three were paused in 2024 with announcements about a future redesigned framework.
How to apply
Step 1: Create an Arrima profile (PRTQ stream)
Applicants register on the Arrima platform — Quebec's online Expression of Interest pool. The profile is scored on a points grid weighted heavily toward French ability, age, employment in Quebec, area of training, and adaptability.
Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply
MIFI conducts periodic invitation rounds. Selected profiles are invited to submit a complete CSQ application. The invitation is valid for 60 days.
Step 3: Apply for the CSQ
A full CSQ application includes:
- Identity documents.
- Education credentials (with Quebec's Comparative Evaluation of Studies, the Evaluation comparative des etudes effectuees hors du Quebec).
- Work experience evidence.
- French language test results (TEF Canada, TCF Quebec, or DELF/DALF).
- Settlement intention.
- Provincial fees (CAD $895 for principal applicant; CAD $192 for spouse and each dependent child).
MIFI reviews and either grants the CSQ or refuses.
Step 4: Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
With a CSQ in hand, the applicant submits a federal PR application to IRCC. The federal application includes:
- Application forms.
- Medical exam.
- Police certificates.
- Biometrics (CAD $85).
- Federal application fees: approximately CAD $950 (principal applicant) + CAD $575 RPRF + CAD $260 per dependent child.
IRCC processing service standard: approximately 12 months.
Total processing time
The combined Quebec + federal process for PRTQ stream typically takes 24 to 36 months total. PEQ is faster — total 6 to 18 months.
French-language requirement
French is the dominant evaluation criterion in Quebec selection. Most economic streams require:
- Intermediate or advanced oral French (B2 or higher) for the PEQ.
- B2 oral and intermediate written French for many PRTQ candidates.
Applicants take an approved French test: TEF Canada, TCF Quebec, DELF, or DALF. Results must be less than 2 years old.
Quebec settlement services
MIFI funds settlement services in Quebec — separate from the IRCC-funded Settlement Program in the rest of Canada. Services include:
- French-language courses (Francisation).
- Employment counselling.
- Newcomer orientation.
- Cultural integration programs.
- Recognition of foreign credentials through the relevant provincial regulatory body.
Recent changes
- 2024: Quebec Investor Program suspended pending redesign.
- 2024: PEQ rules tightened to require higher French language proficiency.
- 2025: Quebec announced reduced annual immigration targets; PRTQ invitation rounds slowed.
- Bill 96 (Quebec language law): Strengthens French as the language of workplace, education, and public services. Newcomers have 6 months to interact with the Quebec government in French only.
Pathway from study or work to PR (Quebec)
A common pathway:
- Foreign student arrives in Quebec on a study permit (with CAQ for studies).
- Graduates from a recognized Quebec DLI.
- Applies for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), federal program.
- Works in Quebec for 12 to 24 months, accumulating skilled experience.
- Applies under PEQ Worker stream with intermediate French.
- Receives CSQ in 6 months.
- Applies for federal PR; receives in another 12 months.
- Total time from study completion to PR: typically 2 to 3 years.
Key facts at a glance
- Authority: Canada-Quebec Accord (1991).
- Quebec selection body: MIFI.
- Required step: Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) before federal PR application.
- Main streams: PRTQ (regular skilled worker), PEQ (experience-based for graduates and workers), business programs.
- Online pool: Arrima.
- Provincial fees: ~CAD $895 (principal applicant) + ~CAD $192 per family member.
- French requirement: Heavily weighted; B2 oral required for PEQ.
- Total processing: 24 to 36 months (PRTQ); 6 to 18 months (PEQ).
- Quebec settlement services: Funded by MIFI, separate from federal IRCC Settlement Program.
Source attribution
This article rewrites public information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/quebec-selected.html. The original Government of Canada content is licensed under the Open Government Licence — Canada.
Verify on canada.ca and quebec.ca
Quebec's selection rules change. Verify on canada.ca for federal aspects and quebec.ca for provincial aspects: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/quebec-selected.html and the Quebec Immigration Portal at https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration.
IRCC.com is an independent news and information aggregator. We are not affiliated with the Government of Canada and do not provide immigration services or advice. For personalized help, contact a CICC-licensed RCIC or a Canadian immigration lawyer.