image-7-1024x269 Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration: Step-by-Step Guide

This program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada and live in Quebec.

Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada. This means you need to apply to Quebec before you apply for permanent residence.

Who can apply

Eligibility

You can apply as a Quebec-selected skilled worker if you

  • hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) from the Government of Quebec
  • submit a complete permanent residence application, including police certificates

How to apply

You must now apply online

As of September 23, 2022, it is now mandatory to apply online.

If you can’t apply online, and require accommodations, including for a disability, you can ask for the application in another format (paper, braille or large print).

Sign in or create a Permanent residence online application portal account (opens in a new tab) .

The instruction guide (Q7000), will help you fill out the forms properly.

You must fill out these digital forms online

You’ll fill out these digital forms online (for yourself, and any family members 18 or older)

  • Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) 
  • Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
  • Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
  • Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)

You must also fill out these PDF forms

Complete and sign these PDF forms, if they apply to you

Using an immigration representative

If you’re a representative, find out how you can create an account and submit applications on behalf of your clients.

If you want to appoint someone to do business with us on your behalf, you must

  • submit a Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) form
  • sign it digitally or by hand and get your immigration representative to do so also
  • upload it with your application

An immigration representative (an immigration consultant or lawyer) can

  • give you advice and help you with your application for a fee
  • help you prepare the forms and documents you need to upload
  • answer questions about the forms
  • communicate with us on your behalf through their own account

They can’t

  • open a portal account on your behalf
  • electronically sign the application for you
  • sign into the portal using your username and password

After you read the declaration, you must be the one who types your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed,” according to Canada’s immigration law.

If you want to allow us to release information from your application to someone other than yourself who will not act as your representative you must

Photo specifications

You need one photo for each person on your application.

Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo.

Technical issues

If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form

  • under type of application/enquiry, choose technical difficulties from the drop-down menu
  • in the text box, specify the program you’re applying under
  • upload screenshots from your account that show us
    • the page where you’re having problems
    • the error message(s) you get

If you need to upload a number of images, find out how to combine them into 1 document.

Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).

Find out if you need to give your biometrics

  • You must pay the biometric fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.
  • Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
  • You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.

Pay your fees

In most cases, your fees will include:

You have to pay your fees online(opens in a new tab). 

Biometrics fee

Your fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

Book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays. Find out how to give biometrics.

In most cases, you must pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.

After you pay the biometrics fee with a complete application, we’ll send you a letter confirming that you need to give your biometrics and where you can go. You must show this letter when you give your biometrics.

You must give your biometrics in person. Make sure to book an appointment if this service is offered. Find a collection point close to you.

Third-party fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:

Our instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you.

Submit your online application

Before you submit your application, make sure you:

  • answer all questions
  • electronically sign your application (type your full name exactly as shown on your passport)
  • include your processing fee receipt
  • upload all the supporting documents

If your application is incomplete, we’ll reject it. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.

After you apply

Processing time ?

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You may need to give biometrics with your application. This processing time includes the time you need to give your biometrics.

Find out what you should do after you apply to come to Canada as a Quebec selected skilled worker.

On this page

Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit to us. Even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.

  • You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.
  • Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
  • You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.

Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.

Processing your application

After you apply, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will check that you

  • filled out your application forms correctly and signed them
  • paid your processing fee
  • included all required documents

If you forget something, your application will not be processed and will be sent back to you.

When we receive your complete application, we’ll tell you what you need to do and what happens next.

Processing times

This processing time only applies to the time it takes IRCC to process your application. It does not include the time it takes for the province of Quebec to process the Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec).

Avoid delays by updating your information. Use our web form to report important changes to your application, such as

  • contact information updates, including
    • email
    • phone number
    • mailing address
  • births and deaths in your family
  • a marriage or divorce
  • adoptions

Causes of processing delays

Your application will be delayed if:

  • we need to verify information
  • there are criminal or security problems
  • we need to do more background checks
  • your family situation isn’t clear, such as:
    • a divorce or an adoption that isn’t yet completed
    • child custody issues that haven’t been resolved
  • you need to submit more documents or have an interview with us (if this is the case, we’ll contact you to let you know)

You can check your application status online, once we start processing it.

Medical exams

You must have a medical exam before you come to Canada. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they’re not coming with you.

We will not accept your application if your health:

  • is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety
  • would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada

We’ll send you a letter to tell you how to get the medical exam after we send your application to the processing office.

Police certificates

If you have a criminal record, you may not be allowed to enter Canada. Also, people who pose a risk to Canada’s security are not allowed to come to Canada.

To immigrate to Canada, you and any family members 18 years of age or older must provide additional police certificates if asked to do so during the processing of your application for permanent residence.

Verifying your information

If you are not truthful in your application for permanent residence, we may

  • refuse your application
  • find you inadmissible
  • bar you from applying to come to Canada for any reason for 5 years

Decision on your application

We’ll make a decision on your application, based on:

  • whether you’re eligible for the program
  • whether you have the funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada
  • the results of your medical exam
  • the information on your police certificate

If your application is approved

If we approve your application, we’ll mail you a

  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
  • permanent resident visa (if you’re from a country that requires a visa)

Your COPR will have your photograph and information about who you are.

Check to make sure your information is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there’s a mistake on your COPR, contact us using the web form and upload your COPR with an explanation letter.

We cannot extend your COPR. You should use it before it expires.

Prepare to arrive

Be prepared and know what to expect when your application for permanent residence is approved.

If you’re already in Canada

We’ll contact you to tell you what to do next.

You’ll need to have a short interview with an officer. You have 2 options for your interview:

  • make an appointment at an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada office in Canada (best option)
  • go to a Canadian port of entry (border crossing) and present:
    • proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family
    • your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa (if we gave you a visa)

During the interview, the officer will

  • make sure all your documents are valid
  • ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada
  • confirm your Canadian mailing address, so we can mail your permanent resident card (PR card) to you

If you’re outside Canada

Before you arrive in Canada

You can also prepare for life in Canada by

When you arrive in Canada

You must have

  • your valid passport, travel documents or both
    • your passport must be a regular, private citizen passport
    • you can’t immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport
  • your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa (if we gave you a visa)
  • proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border officer, who will:

  • make sure you’re entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your COPR
  • make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada (we may use your biometrics to do this)
  • ask to see your passport and other travel documents
  • ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada
    • the questions will be similar to the ones you answered when you applied

To help speed up your entry to Canada, keep your passport and other documents with you at all times. Do not pack them in your luggage.

We will not allow you into Canada if you

  • give false or incomplete information
  • don’t convince the officer that you meet the conditions to enter Canada

If you’re admissible, and there are no problems when you arrive, the officer will

  • allow you to enter Canada as a permanent resident
  • confirm your Canadian mailing address, where we’ll mail your permanent resident (PR) card

Disclosure of funds

If you arrive in Canada with more than CAN$10,000, you must tell this to the border officer. If you do not tell them, you could be fined, and your funds could be seized.

What you can bring into Canada

Before you travel to Canada, find out what you can and cannot bring into the country.

After you arrive in Canada

Changing your address

If you change your address within 180 days of arriving in Canada, you must tell us by using the web form.