New Expression of Interest system announced for Quebec Skilled Worker

Preliminary Evaluation for Immigration to Quebec link here

Quebec has finally announced the details of their new “Expression of Interest” (EOI) based system for Quebec Skilled Worker program that will be launched on the 02nd August 2018.

Once the EOI based system comes into effect, it will replace the plagued Mon-Projet and the older model of first come first served QSWP.

This new program also referred to as the Regular Skilled Worker Program will include following steps in its process: (Conditions of Regular Skilled Worker Program here)

• File an EOI expressing interest to settle and immigrate to Quebec in its EOI bank.
• Successful profiles will be chosen from the bank and receive ITA to apply for QSWP
• Submission of an application for certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) to MIDI
• Once successful, then submit an application to IRCC for Permanent Residence.

Applicants in the pool must meet the cut-off threshold in order to be successful to receive an ITA to apply for QSWP.

Check if you are eligible to apply for QSWP – EOI

In order to be eligible for QSWP an individual should be 18years and older and will be assigned a score based on 9 selection factors which include skilled work experience, education and training, proficiency in French or English, financial self-sufficiency, and others. To be considered eligible an applicant must score 2 points for education under Secondary School Diploma and 1 point under Financial Self Sufficiency. This will enable them to enter and remain in the bank.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program selection factors

Once the profiles meet the minimum eligibility of 2 points under education and 1 point under financial self-sufficiency, as the following step, they then have to further meet the minimum cut-off score of 43 for Employability factors.
With a spouse or common-law, the cut-off score would be 52 to include spouse points for education, training, work experience and language skills.

And finally, in the 3rd and final step, candidates in the EOI Bank must also meet the minimum threshold for total overall Selection factors, which is 50 points as single and 59 with a spouse or common-law partner. Selection factors take into consideration all Employability factors and the addition of children and the financial self-sufficiency.

A very important part of your QSWP EOI is the area of training selection factor. The area of training is the field of study written on your diploma & awards up to 12 points on the application. Immigration Quebec assigns a point value to all types of diplomas. The amount of points assigned to each field of study is decided based on the labor market needs of Quebec. So in order to accumulate points for the training factor under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, the applicant must have earned a diploma or degree in areas that meet Quebec labor market requirements. The list of the areas of training is here.

Once in the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank, a candidate’s profile will remain active for 12 months.
Candidates who are invited to apply for a CSQ will have 90 days to submit their application.

It’s important to note that meeting the minimum threshold of 50 points under the Selection does not necessarily mean a candidate will be invited to apply for a Certificate de sélection du Québec, (CSQ).

A minimum threshold score of 50 for a single applicant and 59 with spouse/common-law partner just entitles you to file an EOI and enter the EOI bank.
Invitations to apply for CSQ may be sent to highest ranking candidates in the bank. Further, the Quebec Immigration Act in Section 44 of the updated Act states that “criterion relating to a foreign national’s ability to successfully stay or settle in Quebec, such as training or a trade or occupation” may determine invitations. Other criteria may include “a region of destination in Québec, a country or region affected by a humanitarian crisis or the existence of an international commitment.”

The minister of immigration of Quebec further stressed that his department will aim to process the QSWP applicants in less than 12 months, which will be a relief from their current processing time of roughly 3years.

#foreverhopeful

Quebec Expression of Interest Bank Selection Factors – POINT GRID