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Quebec immigration application changes for 2021

Canada MIFI services have announced that an increase is coming in its immigration processing fees from the start of 2021.

Some application changes have been made by the Quebec immigration center in early 2021. It has increased its immigration processing fees by 1.26%, which is applicable from 1st January 2021.

Quebec immigration application changes take place after every 1 year and these changes are based on the annual changes in the average all-time consumer price index. The changes are effective for the below-mentioned streams.

Applicant typeFees increased (CAD)
International students$202to $205
Temporary workers$202to $205
Comparative assessment for education outside Quebec$121to $123
The fee for very first skilled worker applicants$812to $822
The fee for each family member who is with a primary skilled worker$174to $176
An applicant who is validating a permanent job offer or assessing its effect on the Quebec labor market$202to $205
Applying for business immigration such as Quebec investors Quebec businessmen and Quebec self-employed workers$15763to $15962 and $1099to $1113

Additionally, candidates may also need to submit other fees related to their profile such as the fee of language tests and cost of documents.


This year (2021) admission goals in Quebec

The immigration ministry has set new goals for immigration in 2021 that are between 44500 to 47500. This could well be called a slight more as compared with of 2020 policy when the immigration ministry of Quebec decided to release new 24,700 selection certificates and 44,500 permanent residency permits (a press release on Wednesday 31 October).

Targets for the 2021 Quebec Selection Certificate

By 2021, Quebec has set a range of between 27,500 and 29,300 new admissions for its economic immigration programs, including a maximum of 24,200 skilled workers. The goals of the selection certificate are as follows:

  • Overseas Selected Refugees:     4,400 to 4,700
  • Economic immigrants:                  400 to 600
  • Business immigrants:                   1,500 to 2,300
  • Skilled workers:                            19,400 to 22,400
  • Other immigrants                          800 to 12,00

Quebec has set 27,500 to 29,300 new entrants for its economic immigration programs for 2021. Including 24,200 skilled workers. Whereas 800 admissions are provided for “other economic categories” such as Leo Inn Carers and others.The province has 4,300 admissions for its business immigration programs. There are two immigration programs in business immigration which are the Entrepreneur Program and Self-Employed Worker Program.Permanent residents are expected to arrive through family sponsorship, immigration, and other immigration programs. The expected numbers are 10,200.Read here complete details of new targets of Quebec Immigration Program in 2021.


Changes in Foreign Student Program (FSP) and Quebec Experience Program (Programme de lexperience quebecoise or (PEQ))

Some changes have been made in the Foreign Student Program the candidates have to submit their applications online via the online application for temporary selection for studies and Quebec Experiment Program (DL Express Québécoise or PEQ). By January 26, 2021, all applications submitted under these programs must be transmitted electronically. Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration will no longer accept paper applications after this date. Applications submitted under the PEQ are expected to have an online service available on the Arrima portal around mid-January. All supporting documents, including the application form and payment of fees, must be submitted by Arrima by January 26, 2021.

The compulsory thing for New Permanent Immigration Pilot Projects

New Permanent Immigration Pilot Projects are of three types of programs:

  • The pilot program for workers in artificial intelligence (AI)
  • The pilot program of information technologies (IT) and effect sectors
  • The pilot program for workers in food processing (FP)

Electronic transmission of documents is compulsory to know in 2021 for the three new permanent immigration pilot projects

The pilot program for Workers in food processing

The “Food Processing Workers” will provide a permanent residency route for temporary foreign workers working in the food processing sector.

The pilot program for orderlies

Nurses, assistants, and beneficiary attendants in Quebec will be able to apply for this pilot.

AI and IT

 This pilot program is for workers in artificial intelligence, information technologies, and visual sectors. A quota of 550 per year will be evenly distributed for each of these three. This pilot project is meant to both attract international talent working in these sectors and ensure the retention of those who are already in Quebec on a temporary basis.


What is Quebec’s Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

The program is developed by the Government of Quebec and the Federal Government of Canada. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) enables highly educated and trained foreign nationals to move to Quebec as skilled workers.       

Candidates interested in the skilled worker program of Quebeck must demonstrate that they meet the minimum required score on the QSW points assessment grid. In case if you have sufficient QSW points, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima online portal to be considered for the program. The government of Quebec will then invite some candidates to submit a complete application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate). Upon receiving a CSQ, an applicant becomes eligible to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.

What is Arrima Portal?

The Arrima platform allows for a better alignment between immigration and the needs of Québec’s labor market. Its use is completely free. Individuals who wish to immigrate permanently or temporarily under one of the programs listed below can use it:

  • Regular Skilled Worker Program
  • International Student Program (document transmission only)
  • Québec Experience Program

For the skilled worker program, candidates can submit an expression of interest if they meet the minimum score under the points grid. Creation of an Arrima profile is done in two steps:

  • You must first validate your email address, choose a password, and confirm your registration in the secure authentication system.
  • The user must then approve the Arrima account’s terms of use, fill in the Identity and Contact information sections before receiving confirmation that the account has been created.

The immigration ministry has set new goals for immigration in 2021 that is between 44500 to 47500. This could well be called a slight more as compared with of 2020 policy when the immigration ministry of Quebec decided to release new 24,700 selection certificates and 44,500 permanent residency permits (a press release on Wednesday 31 October 2020).

Read here complete report about Quebec’s 2020 immigration program

Queceb immigration (QSWP) selection factors

In order to submit to the Quebec Skilled Worker program for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate), candidates must meet the minimum required scores on the eligibility points grid below. The points for education are awarded based on the applicant’s area of study. Candidates applying without a spouse or common-law partner must reach a minimum of 43 points on the employability factors and 50 points total. Applicants applying with a spouse or common-law partner must reach a minimum of 52 points on the employability factors and 59 points total.

FactorPoints
Without spouseWith spouse
Education2626
Experience88
Age1616
Language Proficiency2222
Connection to Quebec88
Accompanying Spouse Factors1717
Valid Job Offer1414
Employability Eligibility Score4352
Children88
Capacity for financial autonomy (eliminatory)11
Minimum Eligibility Score5059

Read here complete details of the Quebec Immigration Program.