You must also have adequate knowledge of French. If in doubt, we strongly recommend that you check your level of French with a recognized organization. Knowledge of English is also an asset not to be overlooked.

There are 3 immigration programs for workers: Assured Job Program ; Occupations in Demand Program ; and Employability and Occupational Mobility Program .

Assured Job Program

To be eligible for this program:

• You must have received an official job offer from a Quebec employer.
• Your future Quebec employer must demonstrate that he/she was unable to recruit a Quebec resident with Canadian citizenship or permanent residence to fill the position (validation process for an assured job offer). Ask your future employer to consult the procedure for hiring a foreign worker. See Services for employers — Hiring a permanent foreign worker .

Note : The assessment of your immigration application will take into account several other factors such as schooling, experience and knowledge of French.

Occupations in Demand Program

To be eligible for the Program, you must:

• practice an occupation included on the list of occupations in demand
• have at least six months of work experience in this occupation
• commit to have in your possession sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during the first three months following your arrival in Quebec.

Employability and Occupational Mobility Program

To be eligible for this Program, you (and your spouse, if applicable) must have an employability and occupational mobility profile that enables you to readily adapt to Quebec’s rapidly changing labour market. The key factors are:

• training (see the favoured preferred educational backgrounds list )
• work experience (minimum of six months)
• age
• knowledge of French and English
• previous visits to or ties with Quebec
• financial self-sufficiency (you must commit to have in your possession sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during the first three months following your arrival in Quebec).

Note : The assessment of your immigration application will take into account several other factors.

Importance of temporary workers

Temporary foreign workers are extremely important to Quebec. For Quebec employers, these workers represent an added value since, more often than not, their skills are acknowledged to be in short supply.

They can be strategic workers, such as executives, researchers, specialists in the high-tech, health, culture and education sectors. Their presence is crucial because they contribute to creating and maintaining jobs, among other things. Given the needs of employers, strategic jobs receive special attention.

To be selected as an immigrant worker, you must have the schooling and occupational skills to facilitate your job integration. Other factors, such as language, age, your spouse’s profile and whether or not you have children are also important.

International students choosing to stay in Quebec permanently

You usually have to apply for permanent immigration from your country of country of origin or permanent residence. This requirement is made more flexible for international students who are already in Quebec.

N.B.: This section does not apply to international students on a scholarship who undertook to return to their country after completing their program of study in Quebec.

Requirements

To settle permanently in Quebec after studies, students may be eligible, under certain conditions, to apply for a CSQ while in Quebec up to 12 months before graduation. Student must:

• have a valid study permit and, where applicable, a CAQ for studies
• comply with the conditions of your study permit and your CAQ for studies
• demonstrate, with supporting documents, that studying has been your principal activity.

Even if you are still studying when you apply for immigration, your application will be considered as an application to work permanently in Quebec. You must therefore satisfy the requirements for permanent workers.

Please note, that unlike other workers, international students are not required to demonstrate their work experience to be selected by Quebec. However, they must have completed a program of study leading to a Quebec diploma or complete such program within the 12 months following submission of their application for a CSQ. The diploma sanctions the completion of a college-level program, or a university program involving at least three years of full-time studies, or post-graduate studies leading to a master’s degree or Ph.D.

In addition, the requirement that workers should be available to enter the job market will be deemed met if, at the time of your application, you are within 12 months of completing your program of study.

Application for permanent residence

The Government of Canada has jurisdiction over the final admission of applicants. After obtaining your Certificat de selection du Quebec (CSQ — Quebec Selection Certificate), you must submit an application for permanent residence (visa) to the Canadian embassy or the Canadian Visa Office serving your country.

The Government of Canada will evaluate your medical records and those of your family members, and conduct a security check.

If you meet all the requirements, you will be issued a permanent residence visa by the Government of Canada.