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Quebec’s AI & Tech Worker Immigration Pilot Program Starts

Quebec finally starts its Artificial Intelligence and Tech worker program on 22 April 2021. The interested applicants can now submit their applications. The new permanent residency program is a part of that immigration pilot project of Quebec which will run for five years. This Program will be for the professionals of:

  • The artificial intelligence
  • Information technology and
  • Visual effects

The Minister de Immigration, de Ia Francisation et de I’Itegraion (MIFI) will issue Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) to up to 550 principal applicants. For the current year, the application period is open from April 22 to October 31, 2021.

On March 3, Quebec declared it will launch new immigration pilots for food processing, people in the health and tech sectors. Through these three programs, Quebec’s authorities will attract and retain workers whose skills meet the requirements of the Quebec labor market.

Program introduction

The program provides an opportunity to high skilled workers to make their future better in Quebec. It will also make it easier to retain international students pursuing special graduate degrees from Quebec universities.

This program consists of two categories Artificial intelligence and information technology and visual effects. In these both categories the profile: Francophone, and Francisization. Francophone profiles should have a French proficiency level of 7 on the Quebec scale for adult immigrants. If you are selected under the Francophone profile, you will automatically be enrolled in Quebec with the Immigration Integration Service. This step can help you learn French. Every 12 months, MIF select 275 Quebec graduates and temporary workers in the field of artificial intelligence, and 275 foreign workers in the field of information technology and visual effects. These figures do not include family members.

Who is Eligible to apply?

General requirements

The following are the major requirements for the program:

  • You are at least 18 years old
  • You have to prove that you have financial funds to support yourself and your family for a minimum of the first 3 months.
  • Almost in all these programs, you will need to show your work experience in Quebec. If you are looking to participate in these programs, you have to obtain your work experience with legal status. You must have been paid and worked for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

i- Requirements for Artificial Intelligence category 

Foreign workers and Quebec graduates can apply for this category. If you are a foreign worker you will require a diploma that corresponds to a Quebec bachelor’s degree and one of the given below:

  • 24 months of skilled work experience over the five year before your application; or
  • A doctoral or master’s degree in the 1 year preceding your request.
  • You will require a job offer; or
  • Or you are working in the artificial intelligence sector

If you are a Quebec graduate you will require:

  • Graduation from a university along with a higher professional studies (DESS) master’s, or
  • Ph.D. during the 24 months preceding your request.
  • DESS graduates will require six months of work experience in the 1year prior to the application date.

ii- Requirements for Information Technologies and Visual Effects category  

Interested candidates will require a diploma that corresponds to a Quebec diploma of college studies (technical training), or a bachelor’s degree. You’re an employee in Quebec or obtained a job offer and have a worker in eligible full-time occupation for a minimum of 2 years during the 5 years preceding the submission of your application. You work must correspond to one of the given below occupation:

  • Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC2171)
  • Graphic designer and author, (NOC5241) but only if your work is in the field of visual effects
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager (NOC0213)
  • Software Engineer and Designer (NOC2173)
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineer (NOC2133)
  • Producer, director, choreographer, and related professions, (NOC2133) but only if your job is in the field of visual effects
  • Computer Programmer and Interactive Media Developer (NOC 2174)
  • Audio and Video Recording Technician, (NOC 5225) but only if your work is in the field of visual effects
  • Computer Network Technician (NOC2281)
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologist and Technician (NOC2241)

What is Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)?

Selected applicants moving to Quebec receive a Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ) from the Quebec Immigration Authorities.

  • This certificate is not a visa and cannot be used to enter Canada.
  • This is legitimate for 2 years or un till IRCC has declared the application result.