The Quebec Skilled Worker class is a federal immigration category for foreign nationals who have been selected by the province of Quebec for immigration under the Canada-Quebec Accord Relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens (1991). Quebec has a distinct constitutional arrangement that gives it authority to select its own economic immigrants. IRCC retains authority over admissibility (security, health, and criminality), but Quebec's selection decision is normally binding on IRCC for immigration purposes.

This program is separate from Express Entry. Quebec-selected skilled workers do not compete in Express Entry draws and are not ranked in the Express Entry pool. They follow a two-step process: first obtaining a provincial selection certificate (the CSQ) from MIFI, and then applying to IRCC for permanent residence under the Quebec Skilled Worker class.

Quebec's own selection criteria — including language ability (French is strongly weighted), work experience, education, age, and family connections to Quebec — are assessed by MIFI, not by IRCC. The criteria and intake procedures are set by MIFI and are subject to change.

The Quebec Skilled Worker class is established under IRPA s 87 and IRPR s 295 et seq. The Canada-Quebec Accord (signed 5 February 1991) is the constitutional foundation for Quebec's immigration selection authority — it gives Quebec the exclusive right to select economic immigrants destined to the province (with limited exceptions). Federal admissibility requirements (security, health, criminality) are assessed by IRCC under the standard IRPA framework and cannot be waived by Quebec.

Step 1 — Apply to MIFI for a CSQ:

The applicant must first apply to MIFI (the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration) through Quebec's own immigration application system. Quebec periodically opens intake periods for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés — PSTQ). Intake is not continuous — MIFI sets intake windows and caps.

MIFI assesses the application against its selection grid, which scores applicants on factors including:

• Knowledge of French (oral and written) — the most heavily weighted factor
• Work experience (occupation, duration, and relevance to Quebec's labour market)
• Education level and field of study
• Age
• Family members in Quebec
• Children
• Financial self-sufficiency

If MIFI approves the application, the applicant is issued a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). The CSQ confirms that Quebec has selected the applicant for immigration to the province.

Step 2 — Apply to IRCC for permanent residence:

Once a valid CSQ is obtained, the applicant (and accompanying family members) applies to IRCC for permanent residence under the Quebec Skilled Worker class using the Guide Q7000 application form. IRCC's role at this stage is to assess:

• Health requirements (medical examination)
• Character requirements (police certificates)
• Admissibility under IRPA (security, criminality, misrepresentation)

If IRCC is satisfied, it grants permanent residence. IRCC does not re-assess the merits of MIFI's selection decision.

CSQ validity: The CSQ must be valid at the time the permanent residence application is submitted to IRCC. If the application has already been submitted and is in processing, the CSQ must have been valid at time of submission — it does not need to remain valid during processing. As of 2018, MIFI no longer renews expired CSQs.

Optional work permit while waiting: Applicants who hold a valid CSQ and have submitted a permanent residence application may be eligible for an open work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP) to work in Quebec while waiting for a decision.

Quebec's immigration program operates independently of the federal Express Entry system. Applicants who are selected under both a Quebec program and an Express Entry category are generally better served by the Quebec pathway, as it avoids the competitive CRS ranking requirement of Express Entry.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program intakes are not always open. MIFI announces intake periods for specific occupations or through general intake windows. Prospective applicants should monitor MIFI's website for current intake status and requirements, as selection criteria and scoring grids may change between intakes.

For current IRCC processing times for the Quebec Skilled Worker class, refer to the IRCC processing times tool. For current application fees, refer to the IRCC fee schedule for Quebec Skilled Workers.

Applicants are obligated to intend to live in Quebec, but Canadian permanent residents have the right to mobility within Canada under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The federal government has historically not enforced a provincial residency requirement after PR is granted.