Quebec is set to reopen its three specialized immigration pilot programs on January 13, 2025, to help address labor shortages in key sectors. These programs offer eligible workers a pathway to Canadian permanent residence (PR).

Originally launched in 2021, these programs target skilled workers in specific industries:

1. Food Processing Workers (PP TA)
2. Beneficiary Attendants (PP PAB)
3. Workers in Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Visual Effects (PP IA/TI-EV)

Key Details:

• Application Period: January 13 to December 31, 2025.
• Application Limits:
  • PP TA & PP PAB: 600 applications each.
  • PP IA/TI-EV:
    • 600 total applications, split evenly between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology/Visual Effects (TI-EV).
    • Each component reserves 150 spots for applicants in the Francization profile.

These programs will expire on January 1, 2026, so interested applicants should act quickly.

Here is the eligibility details for each program.

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1. Eligibility Conditions For Food Processing Workers (PP TA)

To qualify under this program and receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, you must meet all the following requirements:

General Requirements

1. Age: Be 18 years or older.
2. Residency Intent: Intend to settle in Quebec and work in a business that you do not control (directly or indirectly).
3. Education: Have at least:
   • A secondary school diploma, or
   • A professional studies diploma from Quebec (minimum of one year full-time study).
4. Current Employment: Hold an eligible full-time job in an eligible sector in Quebec.
5. Work Experience: Have at least 24 months of eligible full-time work experience within the past 36 months in Quebec. Work must be:
   • Full-time (30+ hours/week),
   • Paid, and
   • For a business you do not control (directly or indirectly).
6. French Proficiency: Demonstrate spoken French at level 7 or higher according to the Quebec Scale of Competency Levels in French (or equivalent).
7. Financial Independence: Prove your ability to be financially independent.

Targeted Occupations

Eligible work experience and current job must match one of the following NOC codes:

• 94141 – Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers.
• 95106 – Food and beverage processing laborers.
• 95107 – Laborers in fish and seafood processing.
• 65311 – Specialized cleaners.
• 94140 – Machine and process operators in food and beverage processing.
• 85100 – Livestock care laborers (chicken catchers only).
• 94142 – Fish and seafood processing plant workers.

Eligible Sectors

Work experience must be in one of these NAICS sectors:

• 311 – Food Manufacturing.
• 3121 – Beverage Manufacturing.

French Language Requirements

You must provide proof of spoken French proficiency at level 7 or higher, verified through:

• Educational transcripts for at least 3 years of full-time study in French (secondary or post-secondary).
• Results from one of the following approved French tests:
  • TCF-Quebec, TCF-Canada, TCF, DELF, DALF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, or TEF.
  • Test results must be less than 2 years old.

Ineligible Employment Sectors

Work experience or jobs in the following sectors are not eligible:

• Payday loans, check cashing, or pawnshops.
• Production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services (e.g., escort services, erotic dancing, or massages).

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2. Eligibility Conditions for Beneficiary Attendants (PP PAB)

You must meet all the following conditions to obtain the Québec Selection Certificate:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Intend to settle in Québec to work for a company over which you exercise no legal or de facto control.
• Work as a patient service associate in Québec for such a company.
• Demonstrate spoken French proficiency at level 7 on the Québec Scale of Competency Levels in French or its equivalent.
• Prove your ability to be financially self-sufficient.

Knowledge of French

You must:

• Submit a declaration of your French proficiency.
• Provide one of the following:
  • Transcripts showing three years of full-time study in secondary or post-secondary education conducted entirely in French.
  • A certificate from your institution confirming the duration of study and language of instruction, if French is not the official language of your country.
  • Official test results or diplomas from recognized institutions, such as TCF, TEF, DELF, or DALF.
• Test results must be no older than two years at the time of application.

Financial Self-Sufficiency

• Sign the Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract.
• Have sufficient funds for the first three months in Québec, based on the number of dependents (2023 amounts in CAD):

Dependents (under 18)1 Adult2 Adults0$3,588$5,2611$4,822$5,8942$5,441$6,3613$6,062$6,829(Add $1,672 per dependent over 18).

Work Stream Conditions

To qualify under the Work Stream, you must:

1. Education: Hold a diploma related to the occupation of orderly that:
   • Was obtained through a program lasting at least 1 year full-time.
   • Is equivalent to a Québec Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS).
2. Work Experience:
   • Have at least 24 months of full-time experience as an orderly in Québec within the 36 months preceding your application.
   • OR at least 12 months as an orderly in Québec and 12 months in a health-related occupation outside Québec during the same period.

Eligible Occupations

• NOC 33102 – Nurse aide, orderly, and patient service associate.
• For work experience outside Québec:
  • NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinator and supervisor.
  • NOC 31301 – Registered nurse and registered psychiatric nurse.
  • NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioner.
  • NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurse.

Work-Study Stream Conditions

To qualify under the Work-Study Stream, you must:

1. Education:
   • Obtain a Québec Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) for Institutional and Home Care Assistance (870 hours of continuous training).
   • Complete this program within 24 months prior to applying.
2. Work Experience:
   • Have at least 12 months of full-time work as a patient service associate in Québec, gained during the 24 months preceding your application.

Additional Conditions for Both Streams

• Work experience must:
  • Be gained legally and full-time (30+ hours/week).
  • Be paid.
  • Be in a company over which you exercise no direct or indirect control.

Work Permit

• After completing the study program, you must secure employment in Québec and obtain a valid work permit.

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3. AI and IT Immigration Program: Key Details and Eligibility Simplified (PP IA/TI-EV)

Quebec has launched an immigration program for skilled workers in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology (IT), and Visual Effects (including video games). The program offers two streams:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stream
2. Information Technology and Visual Effects (IT/Visual Effects) Stream

Each stream has two profiles:

• Francophone Profile (requires knowledge of French)
• Francization Profile (requires a commitment to learn French).

Here’s what you need to know:

Common Eligibility Criteria (Both Streams)

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Plan to settle and work in Quebec for a company you don’t control.
• Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.
• Employment or experience must not be in restricted industries (e.g., payday loans or adult entertainment).

Artificial Intelligence Stream: Eligibility

You can apply as a Foreign Worker or a Quebec Graduate:

Foreign Worker Requirements

• Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher (e.g., Master’s or PhD).
• Have 24 months of full-time work experience in a TEER 0, 1, or 2 (NOC 0, A, or B) job within the past 5 years.
• OR recently completed a Master’s or PhD in Quebec (within 12 months).
• Hold or accept a full-time job in AI:
  • Annual salary of at least $75,000 (outside Montreal) or $100,000 (inside Montreal).

Quebec Graduate Requirements

• Must have lived in Quebec for at least half of your study program.
• Have completed a DESS, Master’s, or PhD from a Quebec institution within the past 2 years.
• Hold or accept a full-time AI job in Quebec:
  • For DESS graduates: At least 6 months of Quebec work experience in a TEER 0, 1, or 2 (NOC 0, A, or B) job.

Information Technology & Visual Effects Stream: Eligibility

Requirements

• Hold a technical diploma (Quebec college studies) or a Bachelor’s degree.
• Have 24 months of full-time work experience in an eligible IT or visual effects job within the past 5 years.
• Accept a full-time eligible job in Quebec:
  • Your salary must meet the 9th decile (top 10% of wages) for your profession.

Examples of Eligible Jobs (with hourly wage)

• Software Developers: $60.00
• Data Scientists: $55.29
• Web Designers: $48.08
• Graphic Designers (Visual Effects): $46.15
• Cybersecurity Specialists: $57.69

French Language Requirements

Francophone Profile

• Must demonstrate French proficiency at Level 7 or higher (oral comprehension and expression).
• Provide transcripts showing 3+ years of full-time study in French or an accepted French test result.

Francization Profile

• Sign an agreement to learn French and participate in Quebec’s immigrant integration program.

Ineligible Sectors

You cannot qualify if your work experience or job is in:

• Payday loans, cheque cashing, or pawn services.
• Adult entertainment (e.g., erotic dancing, escort services).

This program is designed to attract top talent in AI, IT, and visual effects. Applicants must meet all conditions and provide necessary documents, including a positive opinion from a Quebec expert committee (for AI jobs).

For more details, visit Quebec’s official immigration page.

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