Quebec imposes country cap for Regular Skilled Worker Program
Quebec is limiting the number of foreign nationals invited under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) to a maximum of 25% from any one country.
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The Quebec minister of immigration, Jean François Roberge, announced the new policy on October 9.
The policy is effective from October 9 2024 to October 9 2025.
For each draw conducted by the Quebec immigration ministry, the proportion of invitations issued to foreign nationals of any single country will not exceed 25%.
Roberge claimed that the policy is intended to promote diversity of national origin among economic immigrants settling in Quebec.
He explained that in 2024, applications for the Regular Skilled Worker Program have exhibited a marked decrease in diversity of origin.
The Quebec government noted that although the policy currently applies only to the Regular Skilled Worker Program, it may be renewed for the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), which is set to replace the Regular Skilled Worker Program.
The government added that this policy is expected to have no effect on the proportion of French speakers who receive invitations.
About the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program
Skilled immigration to Quebec works differently than it does for other Canadian provinces and territories.
To immigrate to Quebec, candidates must first submit an expression of interest (EOI) in the Arrima pool.
Quebec then scores candidates based on a number of factors, including
- age
- education;
- language profiency;
- work experience;
- language proficiency;
- family composition;
- job offer; and
- family connections to Quebec.
Under the scoring grid for the Regular Skilled Worker Program, candidates are awarded significantly more points for French proficiency than they are for English.
The Quebec government issues invitations to top-ranking candidates from the pool, who then apply to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) on the Mon Project Quebec portal.
If a candidate is successful, the Quebec government issues them a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which they require in order to apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence.
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