Gazette Officielle du Québec announced their decision saying that Quebec Skilled Worker Program will reopen for 5,000 fresh applicants within upcoming 12 months, i.e. before March 31, 2018. The decision was made on March 30, 2017. The fresh applications will be accepted during the intake period occurring before March 31, 2018. The exact dates are yet to be announced.
Quebec skilled worker program (QSWP) is specifically constructed to select skilled foreign candidates on the basis of their ability to establish economically, after their immigration to Quebec. Skilled Immigrants who wish to settle within Quebec are examined under an organized system. Quebec Skilled Worker Program works on a first-come, first-served basis, compared to the EOI system which became famous within many Canadian provinces, and also at the federal Immigration level.
Candidates for Quebec Skilled Worker Program are assessed through a unique point based system which is based upon several selection factors like area of training, work experience, age, language proficiency in French/English, relationship with Quebec (any visits or family), and factors of the applicant’s spouse. Following the selection, the candidates are issued a Quebec selection certificate which eventually takes them to the Canadian Permanent Residency (Immigration) Visa. The Candidates must complete the medical and criminal record checks prior their application to CIC for Canadian Permanent Residency Visa (Canada PR Visa).
There is no need for a prior job offer under QSWP, but one can score additional points for a valid employment offer in Quebec.
Updated Reforms in the QSWP
Recently, the Quebec government made some improvements in the QSWP points system:
- For Single applicants: minimum score requirement is changed from 49 points to 50 points.
- For Married applicants: minimum score requirement is changed from 57 points to 59 points.
- Points awarded for particular areas of training have under gone some alterations. Points for (section A) areas of training changed from 16 points to 12 points.
- The areas of training scoring 12 points are changed to 9 points.
The above mentioned reform will be applied on the applications submitted on or after March 8, 2017.