New immigration pilots & policy changes take place in Quebec. These alterations are made of new measures impacting multiple Quebec immigration streams. Read on to learn more about it.
New Economic Pilot Streams Now Open
Quebec has recently declared the re-opening of three long-term economic immigration pilot programs to help address critical labor shortages in the province.
Here are the immigration streams which will be open & accepting applications:
- Permanent immigration pilot program for people working in food processing
- Permanent immigration pilot program for professionals in AI, information technologies & visual effects sectors
- Permanent immigration pilot program for orderlies
While these programs open & close application systems periodically, all three are expected to conclude on January 1, 2026.
Economic Programs
As new immigration pilots & policy changes take place in Quebec, the programs will now require proficiency in French for applicants to be eligible.
Specifically, the QSWP (Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program) & PEQ Quebec Experience Program will now need a language proficiency level 7 in spoken French. This requirement will also apply to other economic as well as pilot programs.
Moreover, the PEQ will also need a proficiency level of 5 or higher in French. Furthermore, the graduate component of the PEQ will now require applicants to have completed a program in French or at least three years of post-secondary study in French.
Spouses who are sponsored under these economic programs should have knowledge of oral French equivalent to a level 4 proficiency. Finally, the QSWP will replace the QWSP, i.e., Qualified Skilled Worker Selection Program.
Family Sponsorship
If a person is being sponsored for Quebec immigration is between 18-55 years of age, you must complete & sign a welcome & integration plan ensuring that support is being offered to the sponsored person in preparing for the arrival, assessing public services, & resources to facilitate their integration, & learning French.
Other Changes
Apart from the changes mentioned above, Quebec has also instituted modifications to immigration business streams. These changes make French proficiency compulsory for all business streams. Moreover, there are additional changes, like more residence requirements, work permit requirements, etc.
Immigration To Quebec
Of all provinces in Canada, Quebec has the most control over its immigrants & skilled workers. This is because of the Quebec-Canada Accord & allows the province to shape policy programs, & accept immigrants with less federal oversight.
The province recently revealed its immigration levels, which align with Canada’s national immigration levels plan. Quebec hopes to welcome a minimum of 49,500 immigrants this year, with another 50,000 newcomers planned for both 2024 & 2025. Much like the federal levels plan, Quebec’s immigration plan allocates most of its new immigrant quotas to economic immigration measures, with approximately 32,000 new foreign skilled workers expected in the province annually from 2023 to 2025.
Quebec’s influence even extends beyond its own immigration, with the province emphasizing the significance of Francophone immigration throughout the nation, a class of immigration that is seen to be growing in popularity.