Quebec is to witness changes in the immigration policy and pilots soon. Recently, the new bylaw that modifies Quebec’s immigration laws came into force. The changes consist of several new policies and initiatives that affect various immigration streams from Quebec.
In an effort to help with the province’s severe labor shortages, Quebec recently revealed the resumption of three long-term economic immigration pilot projects.
Quebec to witness changes in the immigration policy and pilots
Beginning on November 23, 2023, and ending on December 31, 2024, applications will continue to be available for the following immigration streams:
Availability of new Economic Pilot Streams
- Application cap of 700 – Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies, and Visual Effect Sectors.
- 600 Application Cap – Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Orderlies.
- Application Cap of 600 – Permanent Immigration Pilot Program workers in Food Processing.
Although applications for these programs constantly open and close, all three are likely to end indefinitely on January 1st, 2026.
Economic Programs
The economic immigration schemes in Quebec will undergo modifications. It is now mandatory for applicants to gain French proficiency to be considered for any of Quebec’s economic immigration programs.
More precisely, in accordance with the Quebec scale of French proficiency levels, the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program and the Quebec Experience Program applicants must now demonstrate a minimum level of spoken French fluency of 7. The level 7 competence criterion will be a general requirement for skilled individuals to immigrate to Quebec. It will also apply to other economic and experimental projects.
Similar requirements also state that a written French proficiency level of 5 or above will be essential for the PEQ. Furthermore, as of November 23rd, candidates for the PEQ’s graduate component must have finished a French program or studied the language for at least three years in secondary or post-secondary education.
Spouses who receive sponsorship under these financial programs must possess oral French competence (level 4), including speaking and listening.
Finally, the Qualified Skilled Worker Selection Program (QWSP) will take the place of the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) as of November 29.
Family Sponsorship
Commencing on November 23, if the individual being sponsored for immigration to Quebec (through a family sponsorship program) is between the ages of 18 and 55, you, as the sponsor, must carry out and sign an acceptance and integration plan. This plan will ensure that the sponsored person receives assistance in learning French, getting ready for their arrival in Quebec, and utilizing public services and resources to help with their integration.
A few other alterations
Apart from the aforementioned alterations, Quebec has carried out adjustments to the business immigration streams, which will take effect on January 1st, 2024.
Specifically, these modifications require knowledge of French for all business streams. These include the Entrepreneur, Self-Employed, and Investor programs. More residence restrictions, the need for a work permit, and other modifications are additional changes.
Quebec Immigration
Quebec has a great deal of control over the immigrants and highly trained employees it accepts each year out of all the provinces in Canada. This is because the Quebec-Canada Accord gives the province far less federal control over programs, policies, and immigration acceptance.
The province recently disclosed its immigration targets, which correspond with the national immigration targets set by Canada. A minimum of 49,500 immigrants are likely to arrive in Quebec this year. An additional 50,000 might arrive in 2024 and 2025 (per year) as scheduled. Similar to the federal plan, Quebec’s immigration strategy devotes the majority of its additional immigrant quotas to economic immigration initiatives. Additionally, from 2023 to 2025, the province predicts the arrival of about 32,000 foreign skilled workers annually.
Quebec’s impact goes beyond immigration within its borders. Moreover, the province highlights the significance of immigration from the Francophone class, which is becoming increasingly popular nationwide.
If you wish to know about Quebec immigration programs, connect with our immigration experts at MakeHomeCanada. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected]
