Quebec Skilled Worker Program — Canada

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is for those who want to settle in Quebec as permanent residents.

You must first apply to Quebec under its own immigration process before you submit your permanent residence application to IRCC.

Program purpose and scope

Quebec’s program is for skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Quebec.

It operates under Quebec immigration authority, not through federal programs like Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, or the Self-Employed Persons Program.

You don’t apply directly to IRCC at the start. You first seek selection from Quebec under its agreement with the federal government.

Here’s how the two stages break down:

After Quebec selects you, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. At that point, you’ll submit federal forms like Form IMM 0008 and Form IMM 5669. IRCC then assesses your admissibility under Canadian immigration law.

Quebec selection requirement

You need a selection from Quebec before applying for permanent residence. Without Quebec’s approval, IRCC won’t finalize your application under this program.

This separates the Quebec Skilled Worker Program from federal pathways managed entirely by IRCC. Quebec controls who gets selected as a skilled worker for the province.

You can’t skip Quebec’s role. Your intention to live in Quebec is central to your eligibility.

Key points:

• Apply to Quebec first.
• Quebec assesses you as a skilled worker.
• Only after selection do you apply to IRCC.
• IRCC handles permanent residence processing and admissibility.

For details on selection criteria and required documents, refer directly to the Quebec immigration authority and IRCC.

Declaring interest (Arrima)

Before Quebec can consider you for selection, you must submit a declaration of interest through the Arrima system.

This step is mandatory. If you don’t file a declaration of interest in Arrima, you can’t enter the selection process.

The sequence looks like this:

1. Submit a declaration of interest in Arrima.

2. Enter Quebec’s selection pool.

3. Apply for selection if invited.

4. After selection, apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

Arrima is the entry point to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. Quebec uses it to identify and select candidates intending to immigrate as skilled workers.

If you don’t complete this step, you remain outside the program and can’t move forward toward permanent residence under Quebec immigration.

After IRCC grants you permanent resident status through Quebec immigration, you have legal status under federal law.

You must comply with IRCC requirements and remain admissible to Canada, as enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Work and study pathways after selection

Once IRCC approves your permanent residence application, you have the right to live in Canada as a permanent resident.

You don’t need to apply for temporary work or study permits through IRCC for regular employment or education activities linked to your permanent resident status.

You still have to follow federal and provincial rules that regulate certain occupations and educational institutions.

Quebec sets its own immigration selection rules, but IRCC issues your permanent resident status after you submit required federal forms such as:

• Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada)
• Form IMM 5669 (Schedule A – Background/Declaration)

IRCC assesses medical, security, and background requirements. CBSA checks admissibility at the border if you travel.

If you change employers, begin studies, or move within Canada, you don’t file a new permanent residence application. You keep your status as long as you meet IRCC’s legal obligations.

Next-step immigration pathways

After becoming a permanent resident through Quebec immigration, you might later consider federal programs if your situation changes.

Each pathway is managed by IRCC.

If you sponsor family members or support another applicant, IRCC may require forms such as IMM 0008 and IMM 5669 again for their file.

Quebec’s selection system is separate from Express Entry and most Provincial Nominee Program streams.

You need to review current eligibility rules directly with IRCC before starting any new immigration process.

IRCC calculates processing time using fixed start and end points.

You need to know exactly when the clock starts and stops to track your Quebec immigration file accurately.

How processing time is measured

IRCC measures processing time from the date it receives your complete permanent residence application until it makes a final decision.

“Complete” means all required forms, such as Form IMM 0008 and Form IMM 5669, are filled out without missing fields or signatures.

If your package is missing required information, IRCC won’t treat it as complete. That delays the start of your processing time.

This approach applies to permanent residence streams handled by IRCC, including:

• Quebec immigration cases after selection
• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Self-Employed Persons Program

IRCC doesn’t measure processing time from the day you prepare documents or receive a Quebec selection decision. It starts only when IRCC physically receives a complete file.

Processing start and end points

Your processing time starts the day IRCC receives your complete permanent residence application.

For Quebec Skilled Worker applicants, this is after Quebec immigration authorities issue your selection and you submit your federal application package to IRCC.

The processing period ends when IRCC makes a decision on your permanent residence application. The decision could approve or refuse your case.

The timeline doesn’t end when you submit biometrics, respond to requests, or pass medical exams. It ends only when IRCC records a final decision.

You should:

1. Confirm all required forms are complete before submission.

2. Ensure required documents are included.

3. Keep proof of delivery showing when IRCC received your file.

Tracking these dates helps you understand your real processing window and manage expectations while IRCC reviews your application.

You must keep your Permanent Resident (PR) card valid to travel back to Canada by commercial carrier. IRCC processes PR card renewals separately from permanent residence applications submitted through Quebec immigration, Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or the Self-Employed Persons Program.

Fees and biometrics for identity checks

When you apply for permanent residence through Quebec immigration or another federal program, IRCC charges specific processing and identity verification fees.

You submit IMM 0008 as part of your permanent residence application, not for a PR card renewal. IRCC may also require background details through forms like Form IMM 5669, depending on the program.

Biometrics fees apply per person. IRCC uses biometrics to confirm identity and conduct security checks.

If you include family members, each person pays the biometrics fee unless IRCC confirms an exemption.

Group and related fee notes

If you apply with family members, IRCC may limit the total amount you pay in some situations. To qualify for a maximum group fee of CA$500, you must meet all of the following:

• All family members apply at the same time
• All applications are submitted at the same place
• Your children qualify as dependants

This rule applies only when IRCC confirms eligibility for the group cap.

Work permit fees follow different rules.

A maximum group fee may apply to three or more performing artists and their staff if they apply together at the same place and their required exams remain valid at the same time.

PR card renewals are separate from work permit applications and permanent residence forms such as IMM 0008.

You qualify under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) only if you meet Quebec’s selection criteria, submit a declaration of interest through Arrima, and obtain enough points to be considered for selection. Quebec immigration operates separately from federal programs such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) and other Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.

Selection criteria and points

Quebec uses a points-based selection system. You must reach the required score and meet all program criteria to be selected.

You cannot qualify by meeting only part of the criteria. Quebec requires full compliance with its selection standards.

Quebec immigration decisions under QSW differ from federal pathways managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) or the Self-Employed Persons Program.

If you apply under QSW, you follow Quebec’s process rather than a federal Express Entry stream.

IRCC processes permanent residence applications after Quebec selects you, but Quebec controls the selection stage.

QSW Quebec: Arrima declaration

You must first submit a declaration of interest through the Arrima platform. This step is mandatory.

Your declaration signals that you want to immigrate to Quebec as a skilled worker.

Quebec uses this system to identify candidates who match its labor and selection priorities.

Follow these steps:

1. Complete and submit your Arrima declaration of interest.

2. Ensure your profile reflects that you meet Quebec’s selection criteria.

3. Wait for Quebec to review and select candidates based on points and program needs.

Submitting a declaration does not guarantee selection. Quebec chooses candidates who both meet the criteria and align with its requirements at the time of review.

This process is separate from Express Entry and other Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.

Conditional eligibility rules

You must satisfy all program requirements to be eligible for selection. Partial compliance does not qualify you.

Key conditions include:

• Completing a declaration of interest in Arrima
• Meeting Quebec’s selection criteria
• Scoring the required number of points

If Quebec selects you, you then proceed with the permanent residence process handled by IRCC. At that stage, you submit the required federal forms, such as Form IMM 0008 and Form IMM 5669, as part of your permanent residence application.

Quebec controls selection under the QSW program. IRCC manages the permanent residence application after selection.