Quebec Provincial Nominee Program (Quebec PNP)
Quebec is the only province in Canada where French is the sole official language. As a result, some Quebec immigration programs require or give preference to individuals who are fluent in French. There are, however, options for non-French speakers who want to immigrate to the province.
Quebec immigration applications are approved in two stages: selection and admission. Selection takes place at the provincial level, while admission takes place at the federal level.
One of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence is the Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW). Because this is a skilled worker program, all applicants must have a minimum amount of skilled work experience. QSW is a points-based immigration program, which means that applicants must achieve a certain minimum score on a points assessment grid in order to be considered.
This program does not require applicants to be fluent in French, but fluency may result in a higher score on the points assessment grid.
One way to permanent residency in Quebec for immigrants is through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Candidates for the program must have prior knowledge of Quebec, either as an international student or as a temporary foreign worker. Candidates for the PEQ must exhibit advanced intermediate French language skills. The applicant must also be legally residing in Quebec at the time the application is submitted and processed in order to be eligible for this program.
To apply for the Quebec Investor Program, applicants must have at least $2 million CAD in net assets and the ability to invest at least $1.2 million CAD with a Quebec financial intermediary. Applicants who meet these requirements may be eligible for permanent residence in Canada under the Quebec Investor Program.
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity, as well as the experience and desire to manage a business project or acquire a business in Quebec.
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows certain self-employed individuals to immigrate to Quebec and establish their own businesses. An applicant must have net assets of at least $100,000 CAD and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the field they intend to practice in Quebec to be eligible for this program.