Maple News reports that temporary residents — particularly skilled workers and international graduates — currently living in Quebec are being encouraged to explore immigration options outside the province. This shift in guidance follows the recent suspension of Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for diploma holders, two key pathways to permanent residence previously available in the province.
While Quebec retains its unique immigration selection powers, those now facing uncertainty due to paused streams may consider Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) as alternative routes toward permanent residence. PNPs allow provinces and territories across Canada to nominate candidates who wish to settle in those regions and meet local labor market needs.
Unlike Quebec’s exclusive programs, PNPs are available in all other provinces and can be a strategic option for candidates who either fall short in the federal Express Entry system or do not qualify for category-based draws due to lower CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) scores or occupation classifications under TEER 4 or 5.
To pursue a PNP stream, candidates must first identify which province aligns with their goals, research the relevant eligibility criteria, and express their intent to settle there. Many PNPs are directly linked to Express Entry, which allows successful provincial nominees to receive an additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from the federal government.
For those unfamiliar with the process, the general steps include choosing a province, finding eligible streams, applying for nomination, securing nomination, receiving an ITA, and finally, submitting a full application for permanent residence.
Maple News highlights that over 60 distinct PNP streams exist, offering diverse opportunities depending on the applicant’s profession, education, language skills, and work experience. This means that even if an individual doesn’t meet Quebec’s current requirements—or is impacted by processing pauses—they can still pursue Canadian permanent residency by tailoring their immigration strategy to another province.
It’s important to note that all PNP applications must demonstrate a genuine intent to reside in the nominating province. This helps ensure integrity within Canada’s decentralized but cohesive immigration framework.
As immigration policies and provincial demands evolve, temporary residents in Quebec may benefit significantly from remaining flexible and open to opportunities in other parts of the country.