Bad news for the many looking to join the Quebec Skilled Worker’s Program (QSWP), as the cap has been reached and applications will no longer be accepted until at least April 2015.
Quebec Skilled Worker’s Programme Capped
The cap for Quebec’s most popular immigration program was reached back in August. This is with more applications than ever flooding the system from hopeful immigrant workers.
The QSWP attracts thousands of applicants each year through several programs. The province made the announcement earlier in the year that it would be extended until March 31, 2015, with a total of 65,000 to be accepted. Unfortunately, the spaces were completely filled five months early, leaving many potential applicants disappointed.
The Good News
The good news is that there could be a silver lining in the form of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which is the main alternative for individuals applying for QSWP.
The FSWP works similarly to the QSWP. It is generally based upon an applicant’s human capital, meaning that an applicant doesn’t need a job offer in order to apply for permanent Canadian residency. The FSWP judges applicants based on the probability they can establish themselves financially once they immigrate. It also opens the door to potential skilled immigrant workers who do not already have a sponsor or a relative living in Canada.
How It Would Work
Picking up where the QSWP left off, the FSWP is set to take in 25,000 applicants and their dependents under the current application cycle. Those accepted into the program will become permanent residents, and places will be spread across 50 different occupations that are deemed to be in demand. Each occupation is capped at 1,000 places, and they are filling up fast.
Those who were hoping to apply to the QSWP may be eligible to apply for a place within the FSWP, but there are some ways the two programs differ. If you apply for an FSWP place, you must have:
- At least a year’s experience in full-time employment or paid work experience in one of the 50 eligible occupations.
- Be able to pass a minimum threshold to show your language ability in either English or French.
This varies slightly from the QSVP, which applies a special points system to judge proficiency in areas including language. Applicants can receive up to 22 points for language, with 16 awarded for French and as many as 6 for English.
The Wait
Those wishing to apply for the QSVP will have to wait until at least April 2015, but are advised to read up on the qualifying requirements in the mean time.
In the future, Quebec may adopt the Express Entry system. This will bring about a significant change in the current selection process of applicants for these programs.
Are You Interested in the Quebec Skilled Worker’s Programme?
Applicants for the Quebec Skilled Worker’s Programme would have to add their name to a list, where the government and provinces will be able to select appropriate candidates. This replaces the more traditional immigration streams.
If you are interested in applying for the Quebec Skilled Worker’s Programme book a consultation or contact VisaPlace today.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
