PR in Québec for International Students

The PR in Québec is administered by the Provincial Government of Québec and is unique from other provincial immigration processes. This provincial government wants to attract bright foreign nationals and international students to Québec and to settle, through PR, using the Québec process.

The PR process is a two-step process where an applicant needs to get selected by Québec’s immigration authority and then apply within 24 months for PR. Before we discuss the PR rules for international students in Quebec in detail, let’s learn a little about the province of Québec. 

Québec at a glance:

Québec City, the capital of Queébec, is one of the oldest cities in Canada. It celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008. This province is surrounded by the US and New Brunswick to the south, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Newfoundland and Labrador to the east, Hudson Strait, and Ungava Bay to the north, and the Province of Ontario, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the west. 

After Ontario, Queébec is the second-most populous province of Canada. It has a predominantly French-speaking population. Due to Québec’s splendid views and unique character, Charles Dickens, the famous English novelist, called it the “Gibraltar of North America.” 

The topic of Québec Independence plays a large role in provincial politics. There have been multiple attempts to gain Québec’s independence through referendums in 1980 and 1995. The 1995 referendum saw the highest voter turnout at over 93% but failed to pass the referendum by less than 1%. 

Cost of living for students: 

Montreal and Québec City are the most expensive cities in Québec. Compared to major cities across Canada, Montréal has the lowest average rent for a one bedroom apartment, $877. In contrast, the same place in Toronto would cost $1,463. Although rent is cheaper, tax is higher in Québec. The province has the highest tax rate in Canada. 

Importance of Knowing French:

In 2016, according to the census conducted, only 10.6 percent of Québec’s population spoke English as their mother tongue, and 45% of Québecers can speak both English and French. So, if you don’t speak French, there will be a language barrier.

Even though Québec offers various job opportunities, it will be a challenge if you don’t speak French. The provincial government, in 2021, is changing their language laws again.

Scholarships in Québec: 

There are many scholarships from the Québec Provincial Government, that a Canadian national can apply for. Unlike other provinces, the Québec Provincial Government offers few merit-based scholarships for foreign students. Their scholarship program allows recipients to benefit from:

1. Financial Assistance during their studies

2. An exemption from differential tuition fees payable by foreign students, meaning you will pay the same tuition fees as a Canadian Student. 

3. Health Insurance Protection. 

Vocational Training Students: The value of a scholarship ranges from $1,400 to $26,000.

Technical Training Students at College Level: Value ranges up to $14,000. 

University Students:

• Doctoral Scholarships: up to $25,000 per year 

• Postdoctoral Scholarships: up to $35,000, for one year

• Short-term Research or Professional Development Scholarships: $3,000 per month

Scholarship Resources:

1. Education.gouv.qc.ca

2. Quebecscholarships.ca

Top Growing Industries in Québec:

These industries will create more jobs in Québec in the coming years. So, graduating with a relevant degree in any of these fields will provide you with an upper hand in securing a well-paying job and later, when applying for PR in Québec.

1. Information and Communication Technologies 

2. Electronics and Optics Photonics 

3. Life Science and Health Technologies 

4. Food and Nutrition 

5. Video Games and Digital Solutions 

6. Insurance and Financial Services 

7. Green and Smart Building 

8. Manufacturing 

9. Artificial Intelligence 

Source: Quebecinternational.ca

Interesting facts about Québec: 

1. Before Vermont became a state, they tried to join Québec, but they joined the USA when Québec turned them down.
2. The regions surrounding Québec have the lowest gravity on Earth.
3. Québec got rid of Slavery “unofficially” in 1798, 35 years before it was abolished.
4. 96% of Québec’s electricity comes from Hydroelectricity.
5. 75% of the world's maple syrup comes from this province. 
6. The old part of Québec City is one of the most beautiful cities in North America as it looks similar to European Cities. Most houses are built of wood and stone. That is why it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.
7. The Chateau Frontenac is the world’s most photographed hotel. 
8. 10% of Québec’s surface area is made up of water, and that is why canoeing is one of the most popular summer activities. 
9. Québec City has an average annual snowfall of 150 inches.
10. Québec City is home to the world's largest winter festival

Top Universities or Colleges in Québec:

Top universities or colleges in Quebec

Name	Town
McGill University	Montréal
Université de Montréal	Montréal
Université Laval	Quebec City
Concordia University	Montréal
Université du Québec à Montréal	Montréal
Université de Sherbrooke	Sherbrooke
HEC Montréal	Montréal
École Polytechnique de Montréal	Montréal
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi	Chicoutimi
Université du Québec	Quebec City
École de Technologie Supérieure	Montréal
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières	Trois-Rivières
Bishop's University	Sherbrooke
Université du Québec à Rimouski	Rimouski
Université du Québec en Outaouais	Gatineau

Cheapest Universities or Colleges in Québec for International Students:

1. Marianopolis College

2. Champlain Regional College 

3. Cégep Heritage College

4. Dawson College

5. McGill University

6. Université de Montréal‎

7. Université de Sherbrooke‎

8. Bishop’s University

9. Concordia University‎

10. Université Laval

PR in Québec:

The Provincial Government of Québec administers its own immigration programs, which are distinct from both the federal and other provincial nomination programs. Foreign nationals willing to settle and apply for PR in Quebec have to undergo a two-step immigration process:

1. Get selected by Quebec’s immigration authority - the Ministère de l’immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI)(The ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion): Selected applicants will receive a Québec Certificate of Selection (CSQ)

2. Approved CSQ holders can file for PR within 24 months of the date the CSQ was issued.

You can apply for CSQ under any of these three categories:

1. Québec Skilled Worker Program

2. Québec Business Immigration

3. Québec Experience Program (PEQ)

1. Québec Skilled Worker Immigration: 

This stream is for those who received a CSQ and are applying for PR in Québec. After you receive a CSQ, you can declare your interest in immigrating to Québec by submitting an online profile to Québec’s Expression of Interest Bank(EOIB). The selections are based on three main criteria:

1. Human capital (proficiency in French, level of education, age) 

2. An ability to find a job in Québec (having a validated job offer, having earned a degree in Québec, or having temporary worker status with at least six months of work experience in Québec)

3. The changing needs of the job market (areas of training associated with fields experiencing labour shortages) 

2. Québec Experience Program (PEQ):

The Québec Experience Program is a fast-track process leading to permanent residence, or PR, in Québec. It is for international students and temporary foreign workers. You can submit your PR application under these two sub-streams:

1. Québec Experience Program for Students

2. Québec Experience Program for Foreign Workers

2.1 Québec Experience Program for Students

This stream enables qualified international students, on valid study permits, to settle in Quebec, after completing their studies. The processing time is generally six months. You need to fulfill these requirements if you want to be eligible:

Completion of one of the eligible diplomas:

• Maîtrise/Master (et le MBA), Doctorat ;

• Bachelor Degree (University Undergraduate);

• DEP – diploma of vocational studies

• DEC – diploma of college studies (technical training)

You also need to prove that you have legally resided temporarily in Québec for at least half of your study program.

Work Experience:

If you have a technical college diploma, a bachelor’s, a master’s, or a doctorate:

• You need to have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in Québec, after the end of your study program, in a job at NOC level 0, A, or B.

• You must hold a full-time job at NOC level 0, A, or B at the application time.

• If you received a DEP you need to acquire work experience through a full-time or part-time internship which was part of the course. A maximum of three months of work experience may be recognized.

Advanced intermediate oral French knowledge:

To meet the French language requirement, you must fulfill any of the options:

1. Complete a degree in French only.

2. Demonstrate B2 in any French Test or Diploma recognized by the authorities. 

3. Provide a regular license to practice from a professional order in Québec.

4. Provide a final transcript to attest to the successful completion of post-secondary study entirely in French or at least three years of full-time secondary education.

When submitting your application, you must be 18 years old, have a valid passport and legally reside in the province of Québec.

2.2 Québec Experience Program for Temporary Workers

You need to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Already lived and worked in Québec legally.

2. Show a clear intention to work and settle in Québec.

3. Have a valid passport and be at least 18 years of age.

4. Passed Quebec’s values test (Min. 75%)

5. Financial capacity to support the applicant’s family

6. French language oral ability of 7 on the Québec scale of the French language for adult immigrants

7. Legally reside in Québec as a foreign worker. 

8. Hold a full-time job at NOC level 0, A or B during your application time.

9. Hold a full-time job for at least two out of 3 years.

3. Québec Business Immigrations: 

The Government of Québec wants to select business people, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals to settle and obtain a PR in Québec. 

3.1 Quebec Immigrant Investor Program: 

To be eligible under these streams, you need to fulfill the following conditions first:

1. Your net worth must be at least $2 million, which must be acquired legally, either by conducting business or holding a high-level management position in a private company, government or NGO.

2. You must demonstrate:

   • You owned and operated a business for two years in the previous five years OR

   • Have held a high-level management position for two years in the previous five years in a private company, government, or NGO.

3. Invested $1.2 million in a passive government guaranteed investment for five years and receive no interest payments. Applicants may finance their investment.

3.2 Québec Immigrant Entrepreneur Program: 

This stream has two sub-streams:

• Creating a business in Québec with the support of a business accelerator, incubator or university entrepreneurship center.

• Create or buy an existing business. An entrepreneur must have 25% control of a new enterprise or 51% of an acquired enterprise. If your business is located in the metropolitan area of Montréal, you need to invest $300,000; else, you need to invest $200,000.

3.3 Québec Immigrant Self-Employed Program:

You can apply in this stream if you meet the following conditions:

1. You have two years of self-employed experience in the profession or trade you intend to practice in Québec;

2. You possess a personal net worth of $100,000 or with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner;

3. You must register a $50,000 start-up deposit, if based in the metropolitan area of Montréal or $25,000 if you will practice outside of Montréal.

Helpful Resources to know more about Quebec and its Immigration Process:

1. Immigration.ca-Quebec Immigration

2. High Demand Occupations in Quebec
   

3. IRCC-Quebec

4. Teleport - Salaries in Quebec

Let Go and let Québec Take Over

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