How to Easily move to Québec – Quebec PNP

Québec is known as a very popular tourist attraction, but it’s also a great place to reside permanently; World-class education, a great healthcare system, and a rich cultural scene are just some of the reasons many immigrants and natives decide to move there.

If you’re still on the fence about whether you should move to Québec or other parts of Canada, we will break down everything you need to know about this province: job opportunities, healthcare system, culture, and more.

While there are several ways to move to Canada, there is one specific way of moving to Québec; This immigration pathway is called Quebec PNP.

Quebec PNP is Québec’s unique immigration pathway for foreign nationals. This pathway grants them permanent residency. Having a permanent resident status will allow you the same rights as Canadian citizens: access to social benefits, healthcare benefits, financial benefits, and more.

If you want to go to Québec temporarily, there are other visas and programs available to you. Be sure to consult with our team at Great North Visa to learn about your options.

So, what is Québec all about? And what is the Quebec PNP process?

About Québec

Québec is much more than its pretty pictures. Below we break down 6 facts about Québec that make it an ideal living place for individuals and families.

Location

Québec is the largest province by area and second-largest by population; It borders Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, New Brunswick to the southeast, and a coastal border with Nunavut. In the south, Québec borders U.S cities such as New York and Vermont.

If you want to live in a populous area, go to Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands. Most Québec residents live there thanks to the warm climate and rich soils.

Job Opportunity

Québec’s strongest industries are electric power generation, mining, pulp and paper, and manufacturing. In fact, the manufacturing sector represents 25 percent of the Canadian total!

Of course, if you don’t have work experience or qualifying education in any of these sectors, there are dozens of other job opportunities you can explore. For example, you can search for job openings on quebecemploi.gouv.qc.ca/plateforme-emploi/.

Québec is also known as having some of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.

Salary

Canada has laws in place to protect workers; citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents. Every employer must pay at least the minimum wage and provide worker benefits. Each province in Canada has a different average wage requirement.

In Québec, the average wage is CAD13.50 per hour, as of May 1, 2021. Québec raised its average wage from CAD 13.10 per hour in response to the pandemic.

Healthcare

Among many things, Canada is known for its comprehensive healthcare system. You can learn about how the healthcare system works in our blog post Canada’s Healthcare System Explained.

Québec healthcare covers almost all medically necessary care by a family doctor, general practitioners and specialists, in private clinics, and more. In addition, Québec provides free screening for COVID-19 tests and other applicable health coverage to residents.

Quality of Life

According to a survey conducted by the Gandalf Group in 2019, residents of Québec seem to enjoy their living standards more than most Canadians.

While the definition of good living standards may vary between people, there’s no denying that Québec has invested many resources into ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents. It is also known to be an innovative and vibrant province, hosting colorful festivals and major events throughout the year.

The downsides of living in Québec are the weather, which brings very harsh winters. Taxes are some of the highest in Canada, and heating bills are more expensive due to the harsh winters and relatively high natural gas prices.

Experience France

Of course, Québec is known for having strong French influences. It is the only region in North America with a French-speaking majority. In fact, Québec has its own unique culture called Québécois.

Living in Quebec almost mirrors what it would be like to live in France; the architecture, the language, and the culture. So, if you ever wanted to visit France, Québec is the next best thing!

Québec PNP vs. Other Immigration Programs in Québec

The Provincial Nominee Program is one of the most popular ways to gain permanent residency status in Canada.

The Provincial Nominee Program aims to support Canada’s 13 provinces and territories is fulfilling financial and demographic goals. Each province has its own PNP requirements. After you apply for this program, if selected by a specific province, you will be granted permanent residency and will be able to move there.

Quebec PNP works a bit differently. In fact, the province doesn’t actually have a PNP program! This province has its own specific immigration program for foreign nationals called Québec Experience Program, or Programme de l’expérience Québécoise (PEQ).

Québec Experience Program or: Programme de l’expérience Québécoise (PEQ)

Québec Experience Program has 2 pathways: one that focuses on international students, and the other which focuses on skilled workers. For this blog post, we will focus on the skilled worker’s eligibility criteria:

General eligibility criteria for both streams

✔︎ You follow and respect the conditions of your stay

✔︎ Your intention is to settle and hold a job in Québec

✔︎ You are AT LEAST 18 years of age

✔︎ You gain a LEVEL 7 equivalent in the French Skill Level Adult Test

✔︎ You are IN QUÉBEC at the time of your application

✔︎ You have enough funds to support yourself

Each stream has specific selection conditions that follow the general conditions.

Temporary Foreign Workers Stream

✔︎ Your stay in Québec falls under any of the following:

✔︎ Working Holiday Visa

✔︎ Young Professionals Program

✔︎ International Co-op Internship

✔︎ Your work experience/s has the following eligibility

✔︎ Corresponds to Level 0, A, or B in the NOC

✔︎ Performed legally

✔︎ Full time (doesn’t need to be continuous)

✔︎ Paid work

✔︎ Must have eligible work for 24 to 36 months before the PEQ Application

Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)

Québec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) aims to invite applicants interested in moving, working, and settling in Québec. The RSWP selects potential applicants using the Quebec PNP Point System.

The program differs from that of the PEQ. For the RSWP, you need to send an Expression of Interest (EOI). If you qualify for the criteria, you will get an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Start your application for Canada’s La Belle Province!

The province of Québec offers immigration programs that are significantly different than other immigration programs in Canada, partially because of their demand for French speakers.

However, you can take courses in French and pass an exam to prove your proficiency. This will be a significant part of your application process.

To learn more about Quebec PNP Point System, how the application process works, and what can you do to qualify for the PEQ immigration program, contact our team at Great North Visa today!

We offer document preparation services, language prep courses, legal assistance, step-by-step guidance, and more. Book a free consultation with a personal immigration agent to discover your options of moving to Québec.