The Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the AI, IT, and VFX Sectors selects eligible workers and graduates for permanent residence. Once you get the Quebec Selection Certificate through this pilot program, you can apply to IRCC for a PR visa through the Quebec Selected Skilled Worker and immigrate to Canada.
Download Free Immigration and PR Guide PDF
Overview
About the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies, and Visual Effects Sectors
This Pilot program is exclusively for candidates who are:
- Either a foreign worker or a Quebec graduate in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Or
- A foreign worker in the IT and Visual Effects sectors
You must have a job offer to be eligible for this Pilot program.
This pathway was launched on 22nd April 2021 and will close on 1st January 2026. The pilot program will accept a maximum of 700 applications for the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
The pilot program has two streams –
- The AI stream – this stream will accept 200 applications
- The IT and VFX including video games stream – this stream will accept 500 applications
Eligibility Requirements for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stream
You can apply to the AI stream either as a foreign worker or a graduate. The eligibility requirements for both are listed in the table below.
| General Eligibility Requirements | |
| Eligibility Factors | Requirements |
| Age | You must be at least 18 years old or above |
| Aim to Settle in Quebec | You must aim to permanently settle and work in Quebec |
| Financial Stability | Make sure that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself and your accompanying family members. |
| Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Workers | |
| Eligibility Factors | Requirements |
| Academic Proficiency | Must have a bachelor’s degree. |
| Work Experience | You must have eligible work experience either in Quebec or abroad. This experience must: – Be gained in a job belonging to TEER category 0,1, or 2 – It must be paid and full-time – Must be of at least 2 years (24 months) in the last 5 years (60 months) – Must be gained by working in a company that you do not own directly or indirectly |
| Requirements without work experience | You can apply to this pilot program without any work experience if: – You have a master’s or doctoral degree within one year before applying – Already have or have accepted a valid full-time and paid job offer in Quebec in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – The annual salary of your job offer must be at least $75,000 if it is outside the Metropolitan Montréal Community. It should be at least $100,000 if the job is inside the Metropolitan Montréal Community. |
| Language Proficiency | You can apply through this pathway either under the francophone profile (if you speak French), or under the Francization profile (if you will be learning French). – For the Francophone profile: To be eligible to apply as a Francophone, you must score at least 7 on the oral French proficiency test. Quebec accepts TCF, TEF, DELF, DALF, and TEFAQ as valid French proficiency tests. The tests are valid for 2 years. – For the Francization profile If you apply under this profile, you will get registered with Quebec’s integration service for immigrants. This will support your learning of the French language and a smooth integration into the provincial culture and society Note: Since the maximum application limit was reached on 24th May 2024, no applications can be submitted for this profile. |
| Eligibility Requirements for Graduates | |
| Eligibility Factors | Requirements |
| Living in Quebec | You must have lived in Quebec to study. Your stay in the province should be for at least half of the course duration. |
| Quebec Education | Must have completed a university degree in Quebec within the last two years of applying. The degree can be for: – A higher specialized study (DESS) – A master’s program – A Doctoral or PhD degree |
| Quebec work experience | You must have valid Quebec work experience if you have a degree in higher specialized studies (DESS). The work experience must: – Be in NOC TEER category 0,1, or 2 – Must be full-time and paid – Must be of at least 6 months. – Must be acquired within one year of completing the study program – Must be for a company that you do not own directly or indirectly. |
| Job Offer in Quebec | You must have accepted or received a valid job offer in Quebec. The employment offer must be: – Paid and full-time – In the AI sector – Must not be in an ineligible sector. |
| Confirmation from the Information and Communications Technologies sectorial workforce committee | If you are applying for a CSQ through the AI Stream, you must provide an opinion issued by the Information and Communications Technologies sectorial workforce committee. This will be provided by your employer. The committee must confirm that your job offer belongs to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector and is suitable for your skills |
Eligibility Requirements for the Information Technologies and Visual Effects stream
If you are applying to the IT and VFX stream, you will need to meet the following requirements.
| Eligibility Factors | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Age | Be 18 years old or older |
| Settle in Quebec | Aim to permanently settle and work in Quebec in the IT or VFX sectors |
| Sufficient funds | You must have enough money to support yourself and any family members accompanying you to Quebec |
| Academic Proficiency | Must have either a college diploma in technical training or a bachelor’s degree |
| Quebec Work Experience | You must have 2 years of full-time and paid work experience in Quebec within 5 years of applying. |
| Job offer | You must have a job offer from a valid employer in Quebec. The job must be: – Full time – Must not be in an ineligible sector – The hourly wage must be equal to or the maximum wage in your profession |
| Language proficiency | Just like the AI stream, you can apply either under the Francophone profile or the Francization profile. If you are applying under the Francophone profile, score at least 7 in oral French proficiency. The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration accepts TEF, TCF, DELF, DALF, and TEFAQ for French tests. The test results are valid for 2 years. If you are applying under the Francization profile, you will be registered with the Quebec Integration Service for immigration to assist your French learning. Note: Since the maximum application limit was reached on 1st December 2023, no applications can be submitted for this profile. |
Step-by-Step Application Process
The application process for the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the AI, IT & VFX Sectors includes the following steps.
- Create an account on Arrima – the online application platform for Quebec immigration.
- Gather all mandatory documents and forms
- Submit all documents
- Pay the non-refundable fees and submit the application
- During application processing, the MIFI will request you to get an attestation of learning about democratic values and the Québec values. You must obtain the attestation within 60 days.
- The application will be reviewed.
- Upon approval, the Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) will issue a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
- With a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec), you can apply to IRCC for Canada PR through the Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Program within 2 years.
Documents Checklist
Before applying, prepare your paperwork. You will need to upload the scanned copies of the original documents. The copy must be a colored PDF file. All documents must either be in French or English.
The mandatory documents required for the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the AI, IT & VFX Sectors will vary according to the stream you are applying to. However, you will need some documents in almost all cases. A mandatory document checklist is listed below.
- Pages of your valid passport that include:
- Personal details
- Date of issue
- Expiry date
- Birth Certificate
- Work / Study Permit – whichever is applicable (of the last 5 years)
- CAQ or Certificats d’acceptation du Québec of the last three years – if applicable
- Marriage/divorce certificate – if applicable
- Language test results
- Diploma/Degree – whichever is applicable
- Final transcripts of the program
- Notice from the Information and Communications Technologies sectorial workforce committee
- Work Experience letter dated and signed by the Quebec employer that includes:
- Job designation
- Joining and resignation date
- Location of job
- Salary
- Working hours per week
- Job role and responsibilities
- Employer’s contact details like email, phone number, etc
- Employment contract signed by you and your employer
- At least three salary slips – at the beginning of the job, halfway through the job, and the latest salary slip before submitting the application
Processing Fee and Time
The processing fee for the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the AI, IT & VFX Sectors is $895 (CAD) for the main applicant. You must pay an additional $192 (CAD) each for the accompanying spouse and dependent child.
The processing time for the pilot program is approximately 6 months. Submitting a complete application might lead to faster processing time.
The Quebec Pilot Program offers a unique opportunity for AI, IT, and VFX professionals to advance their careers in a dynamic region. Talent Connected Worldwide simplifies your application process, ensuring accuracy and success.
Count on us to make your move to Quebec smooth and set you up for a brighter future.
Call us now!
