Recently, the implementation of new bylaws has become effective in Quebec, which signifies the alteration to Quebec’s immigration rules and regulations. The alterations include various new measures and policy modifications. These alterations impact numerous immigration streams in Quebec. The following is the outline of Quebec’s new pilots & policy modifications.

Quebec’s new pilots & policy modifications: Available to apply

Recently, Quebec has declared the restarting of three economic immigration pilot programs for the long term. This measure will assist in managing the critical labor shortages in the province. 

The interested immigration streams are scheduled to be effective from 23 December 2023 to 31 December 2024. This means that the following Quebec’s immigration streams will be available and accept applications from interested individuals:

• Permanent immigration pilot program. This stream is for workers in food processing and has allocations of 600 applications;
• Permanent immigration pilot program. This is for orderlies and has allocations of 600 applications and
• Permanent immigration pilot program. This is for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies, and visual effects sectors. This Program has an allocation of 700 applications.

While these programs start and terminate application submissions on a regular basis, all three programs are projected to end forever on 1 January 2026.

Quebec’s Economic immigration Programs 

Quebec will implement new alterations to its economic immigration programs. Now, all the economic immigration programs of Quebec have an eligibility requirement for French Language proficiency. This means that to be eligible for these programs, candidates must be proficient in French Language abilities. 

In particular, the following two programs will now need a French-speaking proficiency of level 7 (at least). 

• The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP); and 
• The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

This must be as per the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels. 

In addition to this, the level 7 requirement of French Proficiency will also be applicable to other economic Programs and pilot programs. This applies to skilled workers who intend to immigrate to Quebec as a whole.

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will also need a level 5 or higher written proficiency in the French language. Moreover, starting from 23 November, graduates under the PEQ will now have the following eligibility requirements. Interested graduates must have completed a study program in French or at least three years of secondary or post-secondary French Study.

If spouses are being sponsored under any of these economic programs, they must be proficient in oral French abilities, i.e., talking and listening. This must be of a level 4 proficiency as per Quebec’s scale of French language proficiency. 

Ultimately, Quebec intends to replace the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) with the Qualified Skilled Worker Selection Program (QWSP). This will be effective from 29 November.

Quebec’s Family Sponsorship Program

The changes to Quebec’s Family Sponsorship Program are effective from 23 November. As per this, if a person is being sponsored for Quebec immigration, he is now required to complete and sign a welcome and integration plan. This guarantees that the sponsoring individual is ready to provide support to the person being sponsored for the following:

• Preparation for their arrival in Quebec
• Accessing public services and resources. This will help in facilitating integration in Quebec’s communities.
• Learning French.

The sponsored individuals must be between the ages of 18-55.

Other Modifications to Quebec’s New Pilots & Policy

Quebec has also introduced changes to its business immigration streams in addition to the above-stated Quebec’s new pilots & policy modifications. These modifications will be effective from 1 January 2024. 

In particular, as per these changes, French language proficiency will be mandatory for all business streams. This includes the Investor Program, Self-Employed Program, and the Entrepreneur program.

Furthermore, there are more changes, such as the requirement for more residence, the requirement for a work permit, and more.

A Review of Quebec Immigration: What is it?

Compared to all Canadian provinces, Quebec has more authority over immigration. This means Quebec has the authority to set its own immigration requirements and criteria for skilled workers and immigrants it welcomes every year. 

This is possible because of the Quebec-Canada Accord. This permits the province to formulate its policy and programs and admit immigrants as per these and with reduced federal supervision.

Quebec has recently declared its immigration level plans, which align with Canada’s federal immigration levels plan. As per it, the province is planning to admit at least 49,500 immigrants this year. In addition, it’s hoping for another 50,000 new immigrants each year in both 2024 and 2025.  

Similar to Canada’s federal immigration plan, Quebec’s immigration-level plan assigns most of its immigration targets to economic immigration efforts. In particular, Quebec expects to welcome around 32,000 new foreign workers in the province each year from 2023 to 2025.

Notably, the impact of Quebec extends beyond its immigration, as it highlights the importance of French-based immigration throughout Canada. Francophone immigration is gaining popularity as a distinct class of immigration throughout Canada.