Immigrate to Montreal: The city of Montreal, in the province of Quebec, is a highly common first stop for people moving to Canada. In the year 2022, more over 62,000 new immigrants were accepted into Quebec, the majority of whom settled in Montreal.
It is not surprising that it is so popular given how inexpensive it is and how many different cultures it contains. In addition, the province of Quebec has a high job vacancy rate, which indicates that there are several prospects for employment.
The Quebec Experience Program – Working in Quebec
If you are eligible and meet the requirements, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is your best option for settling in Montreal as a permanent resident. PEQ does, however, have a few significant requirements that applicants must fulfill in order to be considered qualified.
The first thing that is required of you is to demonstrate that you have an advanced-intermediate level of French understanding. Unfortunately, if you don’t already speak French, you won’t be able to participate in this program.
There are two different paths available in the PEQ for students who are able to demonstrate proficiency in the French language. One for candidates who have previous job experience in Quebec, and another for candidates who have completed their education in Quebec.
To be eligible for the category reserved for employees, you need to be employed in Quebec at the time that you submit your application. Many individuals are able to obtain this authorisation by participating in an overseas co-op internship, obtaining a working holiday visa, or participating in a young professionals program. In addition, you need to have at least 12 months of full-time work experience at the management, professional, or technical level during the past two years.
If you are able to demonstrate that you fit these criteria, applying for a worker’s position through PEQ will grant you the permanent status necessary to live and work in Montreal.
The Quebec Experience Program – Studying in Quebec
Those who are completing post-secondary courses in Quebec are eligible for the PEQ’s second stream of funding. It is still required that all applicants have an advanced-intermediate level of French proficiency. On the other hand, in order to qualify for the study path of the PEQ, candidates need to demonstrate that they have finished (or will finish within the next six months) an appropriate post-secondary program in Quebec.
In general, admission to the vast majority of postsecondary programs lasting two years or more is possible. Those who are working toward obtaining a diploma of vocational studies (DEP), on the other hand, should double check that the prerequisites of their program are met before continuing.
If you have graduated from an educational institution in Quebec that offers post-secondary programs, then the PEQ program might be your best bet for becoming a permanent resident.
Immigrate to Montreal: Quebec Business Immigration
One of the major business categories for immigration to Quebec is reserved for entrepreneurs, and the other is reserved for investors. Because a high personal net worth is required for both of these programs, you should move on to the next available choice if your bank account is not yet in the six-digit range (believe us, we understand!).
If you already have some experience running your own company, applying for the Quebec Entrepreneur Program can be a good idea. In order to submit an application, you need to either have an idea for a business in which you are ready to invest at least CAD $200,000 or have your business idea financed by one of the recognized business accelerators or business incubators in the province of Quebec.
The Quebec Investor Program is reserved for significant financial backers. You are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Quebec through this route if you have a personal net worth of at least CAD $2 million and are ready to spend at least CAD $1.2 million into the province.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program
The Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program has in the past made it possible for workers from other countries to submit an application for immigration to Quebec. It is important to know about Quebec Skilled Worker Program before taking any of the decisions. Nonetheless, throughout the course of the past twelve months, QSW has been subjected to a number of significant reforms.
In August of 2018, the QSW program was converted from a first-come, first-served system to a competitive, points-based one, which is very similar to the approach that the federal government uses for Express Entry. Because applicants who were fluent in French and who had job offers in Quebec were given a far higher priority under the new points system, it became significantly more difficult for applicants who spoke English and who wanted to apply from outside of the province.
Following the provincial election that took place in October 2018, a new government was installed, and this government promptly decreased the overall immigration quota for Quebec. The most noticeable effect that this lowering had was on QSW. Since the last election, QSW has not yet sent out even one round of invitations to potential candidates who are interested in running again.
It is possible that Quebec Selection Worker (QSW) could become a feasible choice once again in the future, particularly for French speakers and workers who have employment offers in Quebec; nevertheless, it appears that the program is in a state of stagnation at the present time while the government determines the most effective approach to manage immigration policy.
Summary:
- Immigrants settle in Montreal.
- PEQ requirements: French, experience.
- Post-secondary students qualify.
- Corporate immigration for investors.
- QSW program currently stagnant.
