Additional Information Published on Quebec’s Forthcoming Pilot Programs

March 10, 2021

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Country / Territory

At a Glance

  • The Quebec government released additional details describing the eligibility requirements for its forthcoming immigration pilot programs granting permanent residence: the immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies, and visual effects sector; and the immigration pilot program for orderlies.
  • The permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sector will be implemented on April 22, 2021, and the permanent immigration pilot program for orderlies will be implemented on March 31, 2021.
  • These programs will allow employers to hire and retain workers in sectors with labor shortages.

The situation

The Quebec government released additional details on its forthcoming permanent residence immigration pilot programs: the immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sector, and the immigration pilot program for orderlies.

Application process

  • Process steps. All foreign nationals applying through the forthcoming permanent residence immigration pilot programs will apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) online. Upon approval and receipt of the CSQ, foreign nationals submit a paper permanent residence application to the federal government.
  • Processing times. The processing times for these applications are likely to be the same as for other categories of Quebec permanent residence programs (the CSQ takes approximately six months to be issued and the permanent residence application takes approximately 26 months to be adjudicated).

A closer look - artificial intelligence information technologies and visual sector

  • General requirements. Eligible foreign nationals must be:
    • Proficient in oral French (at least at the B2 level, which can be evidenced through an approved oral French language test or by a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies completed entirely in French); and
    • Currently hold or have accepted a job in Quebec’s artificial intelligence, information technologies or visual sector.
  • Implementation date. The pilot program will go into effect on April 22, 2021.
  • Additional requirements. The following table shows the additional requirements for this program divided by subcategory:
Subcategory  Additional Requirements

Artificial intelligence - foreign worker subcategory

Qualifying applicants must:

  • Have stayed in Quebec for the purpose of working or taking part in a youth exchange program;
  • Hold a diploma that, at minimum, is equivalent to a Quebec university’s bachelor’s degree;
  • Have held full-time employment under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) levels 0, A or B, for a period of at least 24 months within the 60 months prior to the filing date of the application; and
  • Hold or have accepted full-time employment in Quebec in the artificial intelligence sector (the annual gross salary should be at least CAD 75,000 if the employer is outside the metropolitan area of Montreal, or at least CAD 100,000 if within this territory). 

Artificial intelligence - Québec graduate subcategory

Qualifying applicants must:

  • Have stayed in Quebec for at least half the duration of their program of studies;
  • Not held a scholarship imposing a condition of return to their country of origin at the end of the program of studies;
  • Hold a post-graduate diploma, a master’s degree or a doctorate issued by a Quebec educational, obtained in the 24 months prior to the filing date of the application;
  • Have held a full-time employment under either NOC 0, A or B, if the diploma is a post-graduate diploma, for at least six months in the 12 months following the end of their program of studies; and
  • Hold or have accepted full-time employment in Quebec in the artificial intelligence sector.

Information technologies and visual effects subcategory

Qualifying applicants must:

  • Have stayed in Quebec for the purpose of working or taking part in a youth exchange program;
  • Possessed certain education requirements;
  • Held full-time employment, for at least 24 months within the 60 months prior to the date of filing the application;
  • Hold or have accepted full-time employment in Quebec that meets hourly wage requirements as established by the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity; and
  • Have a current job or job offer under NOC code 0213, 2171, 2173, 2174, 2133, 2281, 2241, 5241, 5131 or 5225.

A closer look - orderlies

  • Implementation date. The pilot program will go into effect on March 31, 2021.
  • Additional requirements. The following table shows the additional requirements for this program divided by subcategory:
Subcategory Additional requirements

Orderlies- foreign worker subcategory

Qualifying applicants must:

  • Hold a diploma (at least one-year of full-time studies) that, at minimum, is equivalent to a Quebec vocational diploma; and
  • Have work experience as an orderly (for a period of at least 24 months within the 36 months prior to the date of filing of the application. At least 12 of those months must have been as an orderly in Quebec.) 

Orderlies - Québec graduate subcategory

Qualifying applicants must:

  • Not hold a scholarship imposing a condition of return to their country of origin at the end of the program of studies;
  • Hold a Quebec vocational diploma, obtained in the 24 months prior to the filing date of the application; and
  • Have work experience as an orderly in Quebec for at least for 12 months following the end of their studies.

 

Impact

These programs will allow employers to hire and retain workers in sectors with labor shortages. It will also allow foreign nationals who have already experienced life in Quebec, through either their studies or work opportunities, to find a more permanent path forward and to fully integrate in the province.

Background

These programs were added due to labor shortages in the region and will be reviewed in 2026 to determine whether they will continue as permanent programs. The programs will also help the Canadian government reach its immigration targets this year, which were increased significantly due to the lack of migration in 2020 stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking ahead

Fragomen expects that similar pilot programs may be created across Canada in order to meet labor shortages and reach the immigration targets set forth by the government.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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