Quebec’s New Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP): Essential Guide

Written by

Pavel Lifanov

Post date

December 2, 2024

Home - Quebec’s New Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP): Essential Guide

Understanding Quebec’s Updated Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)

On November 29, 2024, Quebec unveiled the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), replacing the older Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP). This revamped initiative introduces fresh streams and updated eligibility criteria, tailored to meet the evolving demands of Quebec’s labor market. It’s important to note that Quebec has temporarily paused issuing invitations for permanent selection applications until June 30, 2025, as they work on finalizing their new multi-year immigration strategy. This article highlights the key components, requirements, and essential steps for those interested in applying.

Program Structure and Eligibility

Quebec’s SWSP focuses on aligning skilled workers with the province’s labor needs. The program has introduced various streams to cater to different professional skills and backgrounds. Ensuring you meet the updated criteria is crucial as these requirements have been adjusted to better serve the province’s economic interests.

Temporary Suspension of Invitations

While Quebec refines its immigration plans, the suspension of permanent selection invitations remains in effect until June 30, 2025. This pause provides the province with the necessary time to establish a comprehensive immigration framework that benefits both immigrants and the local economy.

Steps for Prospective Applicants

For those considering applying through the SWSP, understanding the new program’s structure and requirements is essential. Stay informed about the latest updates and ensure your application meets the necessary criteria once invitations resume.

General Requirements for Quebec Work Program

Interested in working in Quebec? PL Immigration helps you understand the necessary criteria for the Quebec Work Program:

Age Requirement: You must be 18 years or older to qualify.
Work Intent in Quebec: You should plan to work for a Quebec-based employer. Your job must not:
- Be with a company where you hold legal or effective control.
- Be in restricted areas like payday lending, adult entertainment (which includes creating or selling explicit content, escort services), or similar sectors.
Financial Stability: It’s crucial to:
- Agree to a financial self-reliance contract.
- Prove you can sustain yourself and any family members joining you for three months after getting permanent residence.
Understanding Quebec’s Values: Applicants and family members over 18 must pass a values assessment test to show familiarity with Quebec’s democratic principles as stated in the Charte des droits et libertés de la personne.
Obligation for Returning: Follow any return requirements if you’ve benefited from Quebec’s educational scholarships.

How to Check Your Career Eligibility for Immigration

When applying for immigration to Canada through PL Immigration, it is essential to determine if your profession qualifies. Follow these steps to assess your eligibility:

Identify Your NOC Code: Begin by selecting the main profession you want to pursue in Quebec. Use Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to find the corresponding code associated with your profession.
Align Your Profession with the SWSP Stream: Each immigration stream targets specific job categories known as TEER levels. The TEER level of your profession is indicated by the second digit of your NOC code.
Understand TEER Categories:
- 0: Careers in management.
- 1: Jobs typically requiring university education.
- 2: Roles that need a college diploma, trade certification, or supervisory experience.
- 3: Positions that require shorter diploma programs or specialized on-the-job training.
- 4: Jobs needing a high school diploma or brief training.
- 5: Roles that only require on-the-job training.

Four Program Paths at PL Immigration: The SWSP

PL Immigration presents the Streamlined Work Skills Program (SWSP) with four distinct paths tailored for varying professions and expertise levels. Each path comes with specific criteria, complementing the general requirements for aspiring immigrants to Canada.

Stream 1: Advanced Qualifications and Specialized Skills This path is designed for individuals with high-level qualifications in specialized fields.

Eligibility Requirements:

TEER Categories: Candidates should belong to TEER categories 0, 1, or 2.
Work Experience: Applicants need a minimum of one year of full-time paid work experience within the last five years. Up to three months of necessary internships may be counted if they are part of a diploma program.
Educational Qualifications: Candidates must possess diplomas equivalent to those in Quebec’s educational system, such as:
- Secondary-level diplomas (e.g., Diplôme d’études professionnelles).
- College-level diplomas (e.g., Attestation d’études collégiales or Diplôme d’études collégiales techniques).
- University-level degrees (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD).
French Language Proficiency: Applicants must have a minimum oral proficiency of level 7 and written proficiency of level 5, as per the Échelle québécoise.

With tailored pathways, PL Immigration aims to simplify the process for skilled professionals wishing to immigrate to Canada through the SWSP.

Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills Pathway

This pathway is tailored for tradespeople and individuals in middle or low-skilled manual professions looking to build a future in Canada.

Eligibility Requirements:

TEER Categories: Applicable to those in TEER categories 3, 4, or 5.
Work Experience: Candidates need two years of paid work within the last five years, including at least one year of experience in Quebec. An allowance of up to one year for work outside Quebec is acceptable. Mandatory internships may be considered.
Education: A minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent, plus some form of vocational training.
French Language Skills: A minimum oral proficiency level of 5+ for applicants and 4+1116Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
This program targets individuals in trades and manual work with mid- to low-level skills.

Eligibility Requirements:

TEER Categories: Must fall under TEER levels 3, 4, or 5.
Work Experience: Requires two years of paid work within the last five years, including at least one year in Quebec. Up to one year of relevant experience outside Quebec is acceptable. Mandatory internships may also count.
Education: A minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent, along with some vocational training, is necessary.
French Proficiency: Applicants need an oral French level of 5+, while their spouses need at least a level of 4+.

Stream 3: Regulated Professions

This path is tailored for jobs that require licensing or certification in Quebec.

Eligibility Requirements:

Regulated Status: The profession must be listed as regulated by Quebec.
Licensure: You must have your credentials recognized or obtain a partial equivalency evaluation from the relevant regulatory body.
French Proficiency: Depends on the TEER level:
- TEER 0–2: Oral French level 7+, written level 5+.
- TEER 3–5: Oral French level 5+.

Stream 4: Exceptional Talent

This stream is designed for those who have made significant achievements.

Eligibility Requirements:

Proven Expertise: Applicants need to demonstrate recognized achievements or endorsements from partners in key areas such as:
- Strategic economic sectors.
- Research.
- Arts and culture.
- Sports.
Work Experience: At least three years of relevant experience in the past five years.
French Proficiency: Requirements are the same as those in Stream 1.

Temporary Pause on Invitations

PL Immigration has announced that no new invitations will be issued under the SWSP program until at least June 30, 2025. This pause is to ensure the program aligns with Quebec’s updated multi-year immigration goals. In the interim:

Applicants are encouraged to update their declarations of interest.
Those in regulated professions should hold off on applying for formal licensure until the issuance of invitations is resumed.

How Does the SWSP Differ from the RSWP?

PL Immigration explains the key distinctions between the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) and the previous Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP). These changes are designed to better align with Quebec’s current labor market and demographic needs.

Targeted Streams for Specific Skills
- RSWP: Operated as a single program with broad eligibility, lacking focused targeting toward labor market needs.
- SWSP: Categorizes applications into four specific streams:
  - High Qualification and Specialized Skills (Stream 1)
  - Intermediate and Manual Skills (Stream 2)
  - Regulated Professions (Stream 3)
  - Exceptional Talent (Stream 4)
    This categorization allows for tailored requirements, matching applicants’ qualifications and professions with Quebec’s economic demands.
Emphasis on Specific Professions
- RSWP: Evaluated a variety of occupations without differentiating by skill level or licensing needs.
- SWSP: Uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) and TEER categories, specifying eligibility per profession, with particulars like:
  - Stream 1 prioritizes roles needing advanced education (TEER 0, 1, 2).
  - Stream 2 supports intermediate/manual workers (TEER 3, 4, 5).
  - Stream 3 ensures regulatory compliance for professions in Quebec.
Refined Language Requirements
- RSWP: Applied uniform language proficiency criteria.
- SWSP: Adjusts French language proficiency based on the stream and TEER category, with higher expectations for highly skilled roles. Spouses also need to meet language requirements, aiding societal integration in Quebec.
Inauguration of an Exceptional Talent Stream
- RSWP: Did not offer a specific path for those with exceptional achievements.
- SWSP: Introduces Stream 4 to acknowledge individuals with extraordinary talents in sectors like arts, sports, or research.
Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract
- RSWP: Did not have a formal agreement for economic stability.
- SWSP: Requires applicants to sign a contract ensuring they have the funds to support themselves and their families for the initial three months in Quebec.
Temporary Hold on Invitations
- RSWP: Continuously issued invitations without major interruptions.
- SWSP: Implemented a pause on invitations until June 30, 2025, aiding the government in aligning its immigration strategies with Quebec’s long-term objectives.
Upholding Quebec Values
- RSWP: Included basic integration components with less emphasis on Quebec values.
- SWSP: Mandates a Certificate of Knowledge of Democratic and Quebec Values for applicants and family members aged 18 or older, supporting cultural assimilation.

Comprehensive Guide to Immigrating to Quebec via the Skilled Worker Selection Program

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility Before starting your application, verify if you are eligible based on general and stream-specific criteria relevant to your occupation.

General Criteria:

Be 18 years or older.
Intend to work as an employee in Quebec, not run your own business.
Agree to a financial self-sufficiency contract and satisfy the savings requirements.
Obtain a Quebec Values Certificate for yourself and any family members over 18.

Stream-Specific Requirements:

Identify your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
Align your job’s NOC code with a Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category. For instance, TEER 0 covers managerial roles.
Evaluate the specific criteria for each stream:
- Stream 1: High Qualifications and Specialized Skills (TEER 0–2).
- Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills (TEER 3–5).
- Stream 3: Regulated Professions (requires proper licensing).
- Stream 4: Exceptional Talent (requires recognition or endorsements).

Step 2: Submit or Update a Declaration of Interest

Quebec utilizes Arrima, an online platform with a points-based selection system.

Create/Update Your Arrima Profile:

If you previously submitted a Declaration of Interest before November 29, 2024, ensure it matches the new criteria of the PSTQ.
Your profile must accurately reflect your occupation, education, language skills, and work experience.

Choose the Suitable Stream:

Select the stream that best fits your professional background.
Invitations are paused until June 30, 2025, but updating ensures you’re ready when the process resumes.

Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents Upon receiving an invitation, prepare the following materials:

Identity and Civil Status:

A valid passport.
Birth certificates for you and family members.
Marriage or divorce documents (if applicable).

Educational Proof:

Diplomas, transcripts, and evaluations if your education was abroad.

Work Experience Verification:

Employment letters detailing job responsibilities, titles, and duration.
Pay stubs or employment contracts as supporting evidence.

Language Skills:

French proficiency test results, such as TEF Canada or TCF Canada, according to your stream requirements.

Financial Documentation:

Bank statements confirming funds to support your family for three months.

Quebec Values Certificate:

Proof of completing the values test for yourself and family aged 18 or older.

Stream-Specific Documents:

Stream 3: Licensure or credential evaluations from Quebec authorities.
Stream 4: Documents proving your achievements or endorsements.

Step 4: Submit Your Application Once invited, complete your application for permanent selection.

Log into Arrima:

Accept your invitation and fill out the application online.
Attach the necessary documents in the specified format.
Pay the application fees, which vary based on the number of applicants.

Step 5: Application Processing After submission:

Stay Informed:

Regularly check your Arrima profile for updates or requests for additional information.
Processing times vary, but providing accurate documents can expedite recognition.

Step 6: Receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) If approved, you’ll obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), essential for applying for permanent residence with the IRCC.

Step 7: Apply for Permanent Residence With your CSQ, proceed to the federal phase:

Submit to IRCC:

Complete the permanent residence application via the IRCC portal.
Include your CSQ, results from your medical examination, and police clearance certificates.

Final Decision: