Quebec's new points test
The government of Quebec has enacted new selection criteria for independent applicants under the Skilled Worker class, writes Mitchell Brownstein.
They are unlike previous criteria which required immigrants to have an attested job offer, meaning proof the employer had the capacity to offer employment to a foreign national for which a rigorous evaluation procedure by the Quebec immigration authorities would have to be undertaken.
This has been abolished and the Quebec government has chosen to adopt more occupation-oriented criteria.
The new programme emphasises the employability and mobility and settlement potential of the future prospective immigrant.
Three occupations lists exists, namely:
- Dealing with labour market demand;
- Shortage;
- An inadmissible occupation list;
Applicants who are not on any of the occupations lists may still qualify for immigration to Canada if they score sufficient points based on a two tiered employability/mobility points selection criteria.
Single applicants require a lower score to pass while married applicants can receive bonus points for their dependent spouse's attributes.
The new criteria have been adopted to attract educated individuals who possess good knowledge of French.
The demand for Francophone immigrants is very apparent when you look at the points awarded for language, since applicants receive a maximum of 17 points for French and a maximum of six points for English.
Additionally, out of the 65 or 75 points needed to pass up to 22 are discretionary and will be awarded to the applicant only at the time of the interview with a Quebec immigration officer.
Once applicants are selected as eligible for immigration to the province of Quebec they still have to pass security and medical clearance through the Canadian Embassy or High Commission and receive their landed immigrant status documents from the Canadian government.
Although the applicant's primary intention is to settle in the province of Quebec, upon arrival in Canada he will have freedom of movement throughout the country as well as the protection offered to all other permanent residents.
All citizens and permanent residents of Canada have the right to move anywhere in the country after their arrival in Canada should their personal circumstances warrant it.
For more information on this and other programmes concerning immigration to Canada, contact Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates, 1310 Greene Avenue, Suite 750, Westmount, Quebec, H3Z 2B2. Tel: 514-939-9559, Fax: 514-939-2289; E-Mail: brownstein@total.net Website: http:\\www.brownsteinlaw.com
