Quebec's Declaration of Interest: Who gets selected first?

By now , all potential applicants to the Quebec Skilled Workers program should know about the new regulations that came into effect on August 2nd, 2018. If you have no clue yet, take a look at our new regulations update, which lists everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to the program.

While we know that the "Declaration of Interest" will be applicable to all applicants of the Quebec Skilled Workers program, we didn't know which candidates would be selected to apply for a CSQ after submitting their declaration of interest.

However, the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité et de l'Inclusion (MIDI) has released a new set of ministerial instructions (AM-2018-009) which include additional information on the selection criteria following the declaration of interest.

Selection after declaration of interest

After you have submitted your declaration of interest, the MIDI will only invite you to apply for a CSQ if you meet one of the following criteria:

1. You have a validated job offer outside the Greater Montreal Region

2. You have a validated job offer inside the Greater Montreal Region

3. You live in Quebec on a valid work permit which was obtained through:

-Diploma of 900 hours or more of training

-Diplôme d'études collégiales (DEC) of at least 1 year of full-time studies

-1st cycle University diploma of at least 1 year of full-time studies

-2nd cycle University diploma or post-graduate studies

-3rd cycle University diploma

4. You have a valid work permit of a minimum duration of 12 months + 6 months of full time experience and you are currently employed

Selection process based on ranking and criteria

To determine which candidates will be selected or receive invitations to apply for CSQ, the MIDI will base their rankings on the following criteria:

1. Age

2. a) Spouse's french level

b) Spouse's level of education

3. Quebec diploma

4. Work experience in Canada or USA

5. Main applicant level of french

6. Other language knowledge (Ex. English)

7. Level of education

8. Potential of transfer of knowledge

a) Level of education + level of French

b) Level of education + work experience in Canada or USA c) Foreign work experience + level of French d) Foreign work experience + work experience in Canada or USA + level of French

Priority treatment for these skilled workers applications:

The MIDI has also announced that the following applications will receive priority treatment:

1. PEQ applications

2.1 Validated job offers outside the city of Montreal

2.2 Validated job offers inside the city of Montreal

2.3 1 year Work permit holders residing in Quebec with 6 months of full-time work experience and currently employed in a full-time job

We can deduct from the new regulations that the PEQ program has kept the same priority and mostly the same eligibility. We also notice the value of validated job offers will really affect the priority of the application and your chances of being selected to apply for a CSQ. Furthermore, it is also important to note that skilled work in the NOC 0, A, B, C or D, are now all accepted for validated job offers.