New immigration pilot programs have been initiated by Quebec targeting workers in the food industry, orderlies, and technology sectors. These programs aim to address the pressing labor shortages within several vital industries.

Overview

Quebec’s pilot initiatives are designed to address labor shortages in various sectors crucial to the province. The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) aims to grant Quebec Selection Certificates (QSC) to a maximum of 600 principal applicants along with their families annually for each of the three pilot programs.

These pilot programs will remain active from November 2023 until January 1, 2026.

Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Food Processing Workers

This pilot program provides a route to permanent immigration for temporary foreign workers employed in eligible roles within the food processing sector.

The application intake period is from November 23rd, 2023, to December 31, 2024, or until the maximum number of applications is reached.

General Requirements

  • Age 18 or older
  • Intent to settle and work in Quebec
  • Compliance with Quebec stay conditions
  • Demonstrated financial self-sufficiency for the initial three months in Quebec

Education Requirements

Possession of a diploma equivalent to at least a high school diploma or a Quebec vocational diploma from a full-time program lasting a minimum of one year

Work Experience Requirements

  • Full-time employment in an eligible sector in Quebec; or
  • Minimum 24 months of full-time, paid work within Quebec’s eligible sectors within the 36 months preceding the application date

Eligible Sectors (According to NAICS)

  • NAICS 311 – Food Manufacturing
  • NAICS 3121 – Beverage Manufacturing

Language Requirements

Proficiency in French equivalent to level 7 (advanced intermediate) on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, or its equivalent

Targeted Occupations (According to NOC)

  • NOC 94141 – Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers and Related Workers
  • NOC 95106 – Labourers in Food and Beverage Processing
  • NOC 95107 – Labourers in Fish and Seafood Processing
  • NOC 65311 – Specialty Cleaners
  • NOC 94140 – Machine and Process Operators in Food and Beverage Processing
  • NOC 85100 – Labourers in the care of livestock, limited to the job title of chicken gatherer
  • NOC 94142 – Workers in fish and seafood processing plants

Additionally, both the work experience and/or the current job must align with the eligible sectors defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) of the Government of Canada:

  • NAICS 311 – Food Manufacturing
  • NAICS 3121 – Beverage Manufacturing
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    Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Orderlies

    This pilot program offers a pathway to Canadian permanent resident status for individuals residing in Quebec and employed as orderlies, nurses’ aides, or patient service associates. The program consists of two streams:

    • Work Stream
    • Work-Study Stream

    The application intake period is from November 23rd, 2023, to December 31, 2024, or until the maximum number of applications is reached.

    General Requirements for Both Streams:

    • Age 18 or older
    • Intent to settle and work in Quebec for a company where you have no direct or indirect legal or de facto control
    • Compliance with Quebec stay conditions
    • Demonstrated financial self-sufficiency for the initial three months in Quebec
    • Proficiency in French equivalent to level 7 (advanced intermediate) on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, or its equivalent

    Work Stream – Specific Conditions

    1

    Education Requirements

    • Possession of a diploma related to the orderly occupation obtained from a full-time program lasting at least one year
    • The diploma must align with a Quebec Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP)

    2

    Work Experience Requirements

    • Minimum 24 months of eligible work experience as an orderly in Quebec within the 36 months preceding the application date; or
    • Minimum 12 months in a health occupation related to basic personal care outside Quebec and minimum 12 months as an orderly in Quebec within the 36 months preceding the application date
    • Work experience must be legally acquired, paid, and full-time

    3

    Targeted Occupations

    • Work experience or current job must align with National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 33102 – Nurse aide, orderly, and patient service associate
    • Alternatively, work experience outside Quebec in occupations such as Nursing Coordinator and Supervisor, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Licensed Practical Nurse can be considered

    Work-Study Stream – Specific Conditions

    Education Requirement:

    • Completion of a Quebec Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVE) leading to an eligible orderly occupation within 24 months before the application submission date
    • Successful completion of the Institutional and Home Care Assistance Program and possession of a secondary diploma of vocational studies are required

    Work Experience Requirement:

    • Minimum 12 months of work experience as an orderly in Quebec, accumulated within 24 months after completing the program of study
    • Work experience must be legally acquired, paid, and full-time
    • After completing the program of study, applicants must secure employment with a Quebec employer and obtain a work permit.

    Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies, and Visual Effects Sectors

    This permanent immigration pilot program aims to attract and retain Quebec graduates in artificial intelligence, as well as international talent working in the technology industry in Quebec or with a job offer from a Quebec employer.

    The program is divided into two streams:

    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Information Technology and Visual Effects (IT/VE)

    This program aims to select 300 Quebec graduates and temporary workers in the AI sector and 300 foreign workers in the IT/VE sector.

    The application intake period is from November 23rd, 2023, to December 31, 2024, or until the maximum number of applications is reached.

    General Requirements for Both Streams:

    • Age 18 or older
    • Intent to settle and work in Quebec for a company where you exercise no direct or indirect legal or de facto control
    • Compliance with Quebec stay conditions, if applicable
    • Demonstrated financial self-sufficiency for the initial three months in Quebec

    Language Requirements for Both Streams:

    Both streams include profiles for French speakers and non-French speakers (Francization).

    • French Speaker Profile: Demonstrate proficiency in French equivalent to level 7 (advanced intermediate) on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes, or its equivalent.
    • Non-French Speaker Profile: Automatically enrolled in a free, personalized program called “Accompagnement Québec” to facilitate integration into Quebec society and support French learning.

    Artificial Intelligence Stream – Specific Conditions

    Foreign Workers:

    Education and Work Experience Requirements:

    • Hold a diploma equivalent to a Quebec bachelor’s degree and have at least one year of full-time work experience in the five years before your application, in a level 0, A, or B job according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC); or
    • Obtain a diploma equivalent to a Quebec master’s or PhD in the last year before submitting the application and hold or have accepted a job in Quebec in the AI sector. The gross annual salary for the job must be at least $75,000 if the employer is located outside of the Metropolitan Montreal Community or at least $100,000 if located in the Metropolitan Montreal Community.

    Quebec Graduates:

    Education and Work Experience Requirements:

    • Hold a higher specialized studies (DESS) diploma, a master’s, or a Ph.D. from a Quebec educational institution issued in the last 24 months;
    • Hold or have accepted a full-time job in Quebec in the AI sector;
    • DESS diploma holders must have held a full-time job in a level 0, A, or B according to the NOC for at least 6 months after completing their studies;
    • Have resided in Quebec as a student for at least half of the study program.

    Information Technology and Visual Effects Stream – Specific Conditions

    Education Requirement:

    • Hold a diploma equivalent to a Quebec diploma of college studies – technical training, or a Quebec bachelor’s degree.

    Work Experience Requirement:

    • Have held an eligible full-time job for at least 2 years; and
    • Have or accept a full-time eligible job with an hourly wage equivalent to the maximum wage of the average wage of your occupation as specified on the Emploi-Québec website.

    Targeted Occupations:

    The work experience or current job must correspond to one of the following occupations under the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

    • NOC 0213 – Computer and information systems manager
    • NOC 2133 – Electrical and electronics engineer
    • NOC 2171 – Information systems analyst and consultant
    • NOC 2173 – Software engineer and designer
    • NOC 2174 – Computer programmer & interactive media developer
    • NOC 2241 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologist and technician
    • NOC 2281 – Computer network technician
    • NOC 5131 – Producer, director, choreographer, and related occupations
    • NOC 5225 – Audio and video recording technician
    • NOC 5241 – Graphic designer and illustrator

    Application Procedure for Quebec Pilot Programs

    To immigrate to Quebec through one of the three permanent immigration pilot programs, you must initiate your application via Quebec’s online immigration platform, Arrima.

    The application process for Canadian permanent residency under Quebec programs involves two main steps. Initially, applicants must submit an application to the Quebec government to acquire a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Following the receipt of the CSQ, applicants can proceed to submit a permanent residency application to the federal government.

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