Are you tempted to make Quebec your permanent home, or have you already tasted the charm of this beautiful province and don't want to leave? Quebec is renowned not only for its natural beauty and exceptional quality of life, but also for its attractive professional opportunities. For IT professionals wishing to establish permanent residency in Canada, the Programme régulier des Travailleurs Qualifiés du Québec (PRTQ) offers a distinct and advantageous path.
In this article, we'll explore the detailed pathway to permanent residency in Canada via the PRTQ, highlighting the specific benefits for IT experts.
If you are interested inpermanent immigration to a province other than Quebec, please refer to this article on Express Entry which explains the whole process.
The advantages of permanent residency in Canada
Living in Canada offers you many advantages both professionally and personally. Here are some of the main advantages of permanent residency in Canada:
1️⃣ Right to live, work and study in Canada
As a permanent resident, you have the right to live, work and study anywhere in Canada.
2️⃣ Access to social services
Permanent residents have access to Canadian social services, such as universal health coverage, free education up to high school level, and other government services such as maternity and disability benefits.
3️⃣ Protection of rights and freedoms
Permanent residents benefit from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion and protection against discrimination.
4️⃣ Job opportunities
As a permanent resident, you can work for any employer in Canada, which expands your professional opportunities. What's more, Canada offers a dynamic economy with many job opportunities, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare and professional services.
Do you work in IT and are you planning to move abroad soon? We're always on the lookout for new talent! 🙌
5️⃣ Path to citizenship
After residing in Canada as a permanent resident for a certain number of years, you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship. Citizenship offers additional benefits, such as the right to vote and the right to apply for a Canadian passport.
6️⃣ Stability and safety
Permanent residency in Canada offers long-term stability and security. You can work for any employer, change jobs freely, and enjoy the protection of Canadian labor laws.
7️⃣ Cultural diversity
Canada is known for its cultural and social diversity. As a permanent resident, you have the opportunity to live in a multicultural and multilingual society.
Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)
Although immigration is a federal responsibility in Canada, Quebec's history and special place in the Canadian confederation give it certain prerogatives in immigration matters. Indeed, the Ministère de l'immigration, de la francisation et de l'intégration du Québec (MIFI) has the right to select immigrants who match certain profiles and demonstrate an ability to integrate into the province's social fabric.
Immigrants selected by Quebec must first obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which will then enable them to apply for permanent residency with Immigration Canada. The Certificat de sélection du Québec gives no legal status and does not entitle the holder to stay in Quebec, but it does make the holder eligible for a A-73 transitional permit under certain conditions. It is therefore important to maintain a valid status in Canada for the duration of your application for permanent residency, if you are already in the country.
Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
Several programs offer a pathway to permanent residency in Quebec, such as the Investor and Business Program and the Quebec Experience Program. In this article, we present the general steps involved in the process of becoming a permanent resident in Canada through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
This program enables eligible individuals, whether already in Quebec or not, to submit an expression of interest to indicate their desire to settle in Quebec on a permanent basis. Those whose profile corresponds to the criteria sought by Quebec (mastery of French, level of education, work experience, etc.) and who have a sufficient number of points are then invited to submit a CSQ application.
Many French-speaking IT professionals, including several Maplr, have followed this process to obtain permanent residency, benefiting from several advantages specific to this program. Indeed, Quebec awards extra points to candidates with training and/or experience in specific fields, such as IT. Fluency in French is also a crucial criterion in this program, and those who can demonstrate an excellent knowledge of French benefit from extra points in the scoring system.
1️⃣ Eligibility
Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. A selection grid to evaluate the factors and criteria taken into account in calculating points.
2️⃣ Points evaluation
Candidates are evaluated according to a point system that takes into account various elements such as age, education, work experience, fluency in French and English, presence of a valid job offer, etc. You must reach a minimum number of points in the selection grid to be eligible. You must reach a minimum number of points in the selection grid to be eligible.
3️⃣ Declaration of interest (DI)
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can submit a Statement of Interest (SOI ) on the Arrima Quebec immigration platform. EOIs are evaluated, and top-ranked candidates are invited to submit a full application. You can use theself-assessment tool to estimate the score you could achieve by submitting an EOI. In this way, you can assess your chances of receiving an invitation to submit an application for permanent selection. The score obtained with the self-assessment tool is provided for information purposes only. It enables you to assess your chances of receiving an invitation based on the information submitted, and in no way constitutes a guarantee. The selection criteria for the various invitation rounds are available on the MIFI website.
4️⃣ Full request
If you are invited to submit a full application, you will need to provide supporting documents to back up the information provided in your EOI. This may include certificates of employment, diplomas and transcripts, civil identity documents, etc. You will also need to obtain attestation d'apprentissage des valeurs démocratiques et des valeurs québécoises by taking an online test or attending an Objectif intégration session in Quebec.
5️⃣ Demand assessment
Once you have submitted your complete application, it will be evaluated by Quebec immigration authorities. This can take up to six months, and additional verifications may be required.
6️⃣ Receive your CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec)
If your application is accepted, you will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This certificate allows you to apply for permanent residency with the Canadian federal government.
7️⃣ Application for Federal Permanent Residence
Use your CSQ to apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They will conduct security background checks and you will be required to undergo a medical examination.
8️⃣ Final result 🎉
If your application is approved, you will receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and your Permanent Resident Card, valid for five years. You can then settle in Quebec as a permanent resident of Canada.
Here's a little diagram to help you visualize the steps 👇
Over the years, Quebec has refined and adapted its regular skilled worker program (PRTQ) to meet the changing needs of the labor market and Quebec society. The advantages of this approach lie in the valorization of skills, the diversity of profiles welcomed, and the potential contribution of these new residents to the province's economic and cultural dynamism. However, despite its advantages, the Quebec skilled worker program can also be subject to challenges and adjustments necessary to ensure its continued effectiveness. That's why the Quebec government has announced changes and the creation of the new Qualified Worker Selection Program (QWSP) which will replace the regular skilled worker program (PRTQ) as of November 29, 2024.
In conclusion, the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is proving to be a preferred avenue for IT experts looking to establish permanent residency in this dynamic Canadian province. By paying particular attention to the needs of the labor market, Quebec demonstrates its commitment to attracting international talent, thereby fostering the professional development of skilled IT workers. By choosing this path, IT workers contribute not only to their own success, but also to the ongoing enrichment of the Quebec community.
Do you work in the IT sector and are you planning to move abroad soon? All our Maplr candidates can benefit from full support in the process of obtaining permanent residency in Canada. If you too would like to try your hand at expatriation, don't hesitate to apply for our support program ! Maplr may be able to help you make the most of your new life in Canada!
