Immigrating to Quebec has recently had more options because Quebec launched 3 new immigration pilot programs for temporary foreign workers and international graduates residing in the province. Among them, the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technologies (IT), and Visual Effects (VFX) Sectors is for temporary foreign workers employed in the respective sectors in the province.
This program will welcome up to 550 new permanent residents every year until January 2026. Successful applicants and their accompanying family members will receive Canadian permanent residence.
There are 2 streams under this pilot program:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stream
- Information Technology (IT) and Visual Effects Stream
Both temporary foreign workers and international graduates are eligible to apply for the AI stream.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the AI, IT, and VFX Sectors?
This pilot program allows applicants to have 2 types of profiles in each stream:
Francophone: For applicants who have an oral French fluency score of 7 on the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels for Adult Immigrants.
Francization: For applicants who agree to learn French at the time of submitting their application for permanent residence. These applicants will be automatically registered with an immigration integration service.
Since Quebec is a predominantly French-speaking province, fluency in the French language is quite important for successful integration into the community.
As mentioned above, there are 2 streams under this pilot and both have their eligibility criteria:
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stream
The following criteria applies to the AI stream applicants:
- Be currently employed in Quebec in the AI sector or have a valid job offer for a full-time job in AI in Quebec
- Demonstrate at least a level 7 on the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels for Adult Immigrants, or
- Be enrolled in a French-language training program
Based on where you have graduated from, the eligibility requirements for education levels are different.
If you graduated from Quebec:
- Have a specialized graduate diploma (DESS), master or doctoral degree issued by a designated institution in Quebec in the last 2 years
- Must have completed at least half of the study program while living in Quebec
- Applicants with DESS will require at least 6 months of full-time work experience in an occupation classified as NOC Skill level 0, A, or B within a year of graduation
If you graduated from outside Quebec:
- Have at least a university degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s in Quebec
- Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in an occupation classified as NOC Skill level 0, A or B obtained in the last 5 years, or
- Have a university degree equivalent to Masters or Doctoral degree from a Quebec university issued within one year before applying
- Have an annual salary of at least $100,000 within the boundaries of the Montreal Urban Community (MUC) or $75,000, if residing outside the MUC
Information Technology (IT) and Visual Effects Stream
Applicants to this stream must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least a level 7 on the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels for Adult Immigrants, or
- Be enrolled in a French-language training program
- Have a college diploma or a bachelor’s degree issued by a Quebec university
- Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in one of the eligible occupations obtained within the last 5 years
- Be currently employed or have a valid job offer for one of the eligible occupations and a salary that is at least 90% above the average wage rate for that occupation in Quebec over the last 3 years as measured by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity (Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale)
What Is the Process of Applying for the Quebec Pilot Program for Workers in the AI, IT, and VFX Sectors?
The application process for this program will begin by submitting an application using Quebec’s online immigration application platform, Arrima. If you meet the eligibility criteria, then your application may be approved. However, obtaining permanent residence through this program will be a 2-step process. As Quebec operates its immigration system, as an applicant, you will be required to apply for a Certificate of Selection (Certificat de sélection du Québec, CSQ) that states that you have been approved for permanent residence by the Quebec government.
Once you have the CSQ, you can use it to apply for permanent residence to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you clear all the admissibility requirements, then you will be granted Canadian permanent residence.
