Immigrating to Québec in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Students, Workers, and Young Newcomers

Bienvenue to Québec – a province with vibrant culture, unique immigration rules, and, admittedly, some confusing pathways to permanent residence. If you’re reading this, you might be an international student dreaming of settling in Montréal’s bustling cafes, a skilled worker navigating provincial paperwork, or a 20-something adventurer figuring out where in Canada to plant roots. I’ve been in your shoes – excited, hopeful, and a little overwhelmed. In this blog-style guide, I’ll walk you through Québec’s immigration system (and how it stacks up against places like Ontario and B.C.), share real-world stories from newcomers, and update you on 2024–2025 rule changes that could make or break your plans. The tone here is friendly and caring, but also frank – because when it comes to immigration, a little honesty goes a long way.

Ready? On y va! (Let’s go!)

Québec vs the Rest of Canada: How the Immigration Systems Differ

Québec does things its own way. Unlike other provinces, Québec has a special agreement with the federal government that gives it more control over immigration selection. In practical terms, this means if you want to immigrate to Québec, you must go through Québec’s immigration programs first – you cannot directly use Express Entry or most federal pathways if your intent is to live in Québec (https://www.cicnews.com/2025/01/the-changes-shaping-quebec-immigration-in-2025-0150312.html). For example, an Express Entry profile that lists “Montréal” as your destination will be refused; I’ve seen cases on forums of people getting rejected because the immigration officer wasn’t convinced they’d leave Québec for another province (one applicant confessed, “my application was refused because the officer was not convinced that I intended to leave Quebec” when they applied through Express Entry while living in Montréal – a cautionary tale! (https://www.reddit.com/r/ImmigrationCanada/comments/1etbg1t/csq_application_taking_too_long_peqit/)).

So, how do you get Permanent Residence (PR) in Québec? Generally, it’s a two-step dance:

1. Apply to Québec’s immigration authority (the MIFI – Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration) for a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ). The CSQ is Québec’s stamp of approval – whether through an economic program, family sponsorship, etc., Québec selects you first.

2. Apply to IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for federal approval of PR. The federal part is usually simpler once you have a CSQ, focusing on medical, security, and ensuring you met the rules.

This is different from, say, Ontario or B.C., where most economic immigrants go directly through federal Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Those provinces use the federal points system more, whereas Québec uses its own points and criteria.

Express Entry vs. Arrima: In the rest of Canada, skilled workers often create an Express Entry profile and get Invitations to Apply if they have enough points. Québec, however, has “Arrima”, an online portal where you file an Expression of Interest for Québec programs. It’s analogous to Express Entry but specific to Québec’s criteria. For instance, while the federal system might reward factors like any Canadian work or a sibling in Canada, Québec’s system puts heavy emphasis on French language and ties to Québec.

A newcomer summarized it well on Reddit: “In Ontario you have both federal and provincial programs, with both English and French requirements. In Québec, only provincial programs exist, all requiring French.” That might be a slight generalization, but it hits the point: French proficiency is often the make-or-break factor in Québec. (We’ll talk more about the “French factor” soon – it’s huge).

Québec’s unique programs: Québec runs its own versions of programs you see elsewhere in Canada:

• The Québec Skilled Worker stream (Regular Skilled Worker Program, now renamed in 2024 as the “Skilled Worker Selection Program”) is akin to other provinces’ skilled worker categories.

• The Programme de l’Expérience Québécoise (PEQ) – Québec’s Experience Program – plays a similar role to the federal Canadian Experience Class (CEC), targeting those who studied or worked in Québec. As a newcomer, if you’ve spent time in Québec as a student or temporary worker, PEQ was historically the golden ticket to PR (fast and straightforward)…until recently, when Québec made some big changes (more on that in the student section).

• Québec also has or had pilots (e.g., in IT, AI, health) somewhat like PNP tech streams elsewhere. And it used to have an Investor program (if you’re an entrepreneur or have significant funds) – but note, the famous Québec Investor Program has been suspended for a while now.

Federal programs still matter: After you get a CSQ, you still deal with IRCC for the final PR approval. That means federal rules like medical inadmissibility or security checks apply equally. And eventually, you’ll have the same PR cardas anyone else in Canada. The distinction is in how you get to that stage.

Can I “cheat” and apply outside Québec? A lot of people wonder: “If Québec’s process is too slow or strict, can I just apply through another province and then move to Québec?” Officially, if you apply through another province’s program or Express Entry, you are signing an intention to reside in that province. Once you become a PR, Charter mobility rights allow you to live anywhere in Canada (yes, including Québec), but misrepresenting your intentions in the application is risky and could jeopardize your PR. It’s a gray area many discuss on forums. Some folks do land in Toronto, get PR, and later move to Montréal – it’s legally permitted for a PR to move, but you must genuinely intend to live in the nominating province at the time of landing. One Redditor bluntly said: “People do it all the time once they’re a PR – you just can’t land in Quebec [as your first entry].” The key is: you need to convince IRCC of your intent. If you’re sitting in a Montréal apartment on a work permit and submit an Express Entry application claiming you’ll live in Ontario, IRCC might ask for proof you’ll leave Québec. I’ve seen someone get a Procedural Fairness Letter (basically IRCC saying “we doubt your intent to live outside Québec; prove us otherwise”). It’s stressful and often not worth it unless you truly are open to moving.

Key takeaway: Deciding between Québec and another province isn’t trivial. Québec offers a culturally rich experience and certain programs like PEQ that (at least in the past) were very fast for those who qualified. But it also requires commitment to French and has had recent program suspensions. Other provinces might offer simpler processes if you have high English scores or other factors, but you have to be willing to settle there (at least initially).

In the rest of this guide, we’ll break down advice for specific groups: international students, young professionals (under 30), skilled workers, and family-class newcomers – with Québec’s lens, but also noting how things work elsewhere for comparison. You’ll also see real quotes and scenarios from immigrants who’ve gone through it, so you know you’re not alone in the confusion! Let’s start with a group that often has many questions: students.

For International Students: Studying and Staying in Québec vs Other Provinces

Meet Priya. She’s an international student from India who came to Montréal in 2022 for a master’s program. Her twin brother went to Toronto for a similar degree. Both loved their Canadian experience, but now in 2025, they face the big question: how to become permanent residents? Their choices – and challenges – look quite different because Priya is in Québec and her brother is in Ontario.

Study permits 101 (and the Québec twist): First, to study in Québec, you not only need a study permit from IRCC but also a CAQ (Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec) from the Québec government. It’s an extra step Québec has to approve your coming as a student. Priya did this paperwork before starting at McGill University. Once you’re studying, though, your life is similar to any student in Canada: classes, part-time work allowed, and post-graduation dreams.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Priya and her twin will both be eligible for PGWPs – open work permits after graduating, valid up to 3 years depending on program length. The PGWP is critical because it lets international grads work full-time in Canada and gain experience, which often leads to PR. Until recently, getting a PGWP was straightforward as long as you graduated from an eligible program. However, in late 2024 Canada introduced new PGWP rules: now every PGWP applicant must prove language proficiency (English or French) and certain graduates have to have studied in specific fields. This was a bombshell for students. As of November 1, 2024, if you apply for a PGWP you must include a language test result – CLB 7 in all skills for university degree holders, or CLB 5 for college diploma holders (CLB is the Canadian Language Benchmark). Even if you studied in English or French, you aren’t exempt – you still need an IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF score basically. This caught many off guard (yes, it applies to Québec students too!). On top of that, students who applied for study permits after Nov 2024 must also have graduated in a field from an approved list for PGWP eligibility. For example, if someone starts a random low-demand program now, they might not get a PGWP later – Canada only wants grads in fields that align with labor needs. The government made these changes to curb ballooning temporary resident numbers and ensure international students are set up for jobs Canada actually needs (this ties into a broader goal of reducing total temporary residents from 6.5% of population to 5% by 2026).

For Priya, thankfully, she applied before these changes, so she only needs to worry about the language test for her PGWP. She took IELTS and scored the required CLB 7. Her brother in Toronto did the same. Both get their 3-year PGWPs.

Québec’s PEQ vs Federal Express Entry (CEC): Now comes the divergence. Priya’s twin in Toronto will use Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) route. After a year of skilled work in Canada (and because he speaks fluent English), he can get drawn under Express Entry. In fact, given he’s under 30, has a master’s, and Canadian work experience, his Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score might be quite high – maybe in the 480+ range. In 2023–2025, Express Entry has been doing targeted draws too. There are even category-based draws for things like STEM jobs or French speakers. (Interesting fact: Canada introduced category-based Express Entry draws in 2023, and updated them in 2025 to include an Education category – targeting teachers – while removing the previous Transport category. So now they invite top candidates in categories like French-language proficiency, healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, and education, alongside regular all-program draws. Because French speakers get priority, a francophone with slightly lower CRS can get an ITA too – a strategy outside Québec, ironically, is to leverage French ability for bonus points or special draws).

But back to Priya in Québec. Québec does not use Express Entry. So Priya’s not in that pool at all. Instead, her main option was the PEQ (Programme de l’Expérience Québécoise) – Graduate Stream, which is Québec’s fast-track for international students who got a Québec credential. The PEQ historically was awesome: if you graduated from a Québec post-secondary and met some basics (like B2 level French), you could apply for a CSQ and get it in as fast as 20 days (years ago). However, things have changed:

• New French requirement: As of November 23, 2024, Québec now requires that at least 75% of your program’s courses or credits were completed in French to be eligible for PEQ (Graduate stream). This is huge. In Priya’s case, her program at McGill was entirely in English – oops, she no longer qualifies for PEQ under the new rule. (There’s an exemption if you completed at least 3 years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies in French anywhere, or if your program itself met the 75% French rule). Many international students in Québec were caught off guard by this rule change – it essentially forces future students to study in French or not use PEQ. A Reddit user responded to a worried student: “Are you fluent in French? If you’re not and you stay in Quebec, your PR pathway might be blocked until you develop your French proficiency.”. That blunt advice reflects a common sentiment: without French, Québec’s doors can feel shut.

• PEQ suspension: Worse for Priya, Québec actually paused new applications for the PEQ Graduate stream from Oct 31, 2024 until June 30, 2025. The government wanted to slow down the number of immigrants, and pausing this popular stream was one way. This means even if Priya had perfect French, she couldn’t apply for PEQ right after graduation in early 2025; she’d have to wait until (hopefully) it reopens in July 2025. Québec drastically cut its target admissions via PEQ – they planned only ~4,500 to 5,700 CSQs via PEQ in 2025, down from ~14,500 issued in 2024. So there’s a big bottleneck now.

Priya finds herself in a bind many are facing: stay in Québec and wait (improve French, maybe work a while and use another program), or move to another province for an easier PR route? She sees her twin smoothly filing an Express Entry application in Toronto, likely to get PR within a year. Meanwhile, she might have to spend 1-2 years working in Québec, learning French, and still deal with uncertain processing times.

She’s not alone in this dilemma. In fact, an anonymous couple posted on Reddit about the exact same struggle:

“Should we stay in Quebec and try PEQ/Arrima, or should we move to another province? … Would moving to Ontario, Alberta, or BC give us better chances through PNP or Express Entry?”

This couple (25M and 25F, from Brazil) had decent profiles – a bit of French, some work experience – but they were anxious about recent Québec rules. They outlined a plan to “take intensive French classes (2-3 hours per day)… and re-evaluate in 6 months. If things aren’t looking good in Quebec, we might move to another province with better PR options”. You can feel their uncertainty, which many share. Ultimately, they weren’t giving up on Québec yet – they love it – but they had a contingency to go where the PR process is smoother if needed.

So, what can an international student in Québec do? Here are some tips and comparisons:

• Maximize your French as early as possible: If you’re still studying or just starting, switch to a French-taught program if you can. That 75% rule is a hard line now. Alternatively, invest heavily in learning French to at least B2 level. Québec does offer subsidized French courses for immigrants and students, and having B2 French plus a Québec diploma used to be enough for PEQ (it may very well be again when PEQ reopens, alongside the new 75% rule). One student wrote online, “I know I need to improve my French to B2+, and my girlfriend should aim for C1 or higher to get more points” – setting their language goals for Québec immigration.

• Consider the PEQ Worker stream: If you can’t use the PEQ Graduate route, you might be able to use the PEQ Travailleur (worker) stream after working in Québec for 12 or 24 months full-time (the requirement has been 12 months full-time in a skilled job, but double-check current criteria). This also requires French at B2. It’s an alternative if you land a skilled job in Québec after graduation. Priya, for instance, could work for a year in a Québec company and aim for PEQ as a worker.

• Arrima – Regular Skilled Worker (PSTQ): Québec’s main skilled worker program (which was called the Regular Skilled Worker Program, PRTQ, now renamed Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ)) could be an option once you have some work experience. You submit an expression of interest in Arrima, get points, and hope for an invitation. But be aware, Québec paused invitations in this program until mid-2025 as well (they temporarily halted draws in late 2024 when transitioning to the new PSTQ system) . They have since resumed with the new system, but also imposed a new rule: no more than 25% of invites in any draw can go to candidates of the same nationality – a move to boost diversity (imagine a lot of applicants from one country; now max 25% per draw from there). This might affect who gets picked first.

• Use your federal options if possible: If you’re open-minded (or desperate), consider moving to another province after studies to benefit from federal programs. For example, some students finish their degree in Québec, then do their PGWP work period in, say, Ottawa or Toronto, and get PR through Express Entry. After PR, if Québec still calls to your heart, you can move back freely. This path requires uprooting yourself for perhaps a year or two, but it can be much easier if you have high English proficiency and a decent job outside Québec. Priya sees classmates doing exactly this – a few of her friends who graduated from English colleges in Montréal decided not to bother with French and took jobs in Ontario, aiming for PR via Ontario’s PNP or Express Entry. It’s a personal choice: stay and integrate into Québec (learning French, enduring some bureaucracy) or pivot to an English Canada path.

• Stay informed on policy changes: Immigration rules are a moving target. Québec in particular has been tweaking its system frequently (often to tighten it). For instance, Québec now mandates that international students on a study permit must remain enrolled and actively studying – if not, schools report them and immigration might take action. (Canada as a whole also cracked down on “ghost students” in 2024 – requiring schools to report if you aren’t attending, and you must notify IRCC if you change schools; you can’t just quietly drop out anymore . So don’t violate your study permit conditions thinking nobody will notice – they will.

To sum up for students: Québec can still be a fantastic place to get PR if you meet the criteria, especially French. The government clearly wants international graduates who integrate linguistically – they’re targeting 95%+ French-speaking economic immigrants going forward【3】. If you’re not there yet, you either work on it (intensive courses, French social life immersion, etc.) or consider an out-of-Québec strategy. The tone might sound serious, but I say this with empathy – I’ve seen friends struggle with French exams and others leave Québec reluctantly for easier PR, so it’s a tough spot. The good news is many do succeed in Québec: one user shared how they applied for a CSQ right after graduating: “my degree was in English and my TEF scores were not stellar, and I got my CSQ in late July [within 3 months]… out of nowhere I got the CSQ”(https://www.reddit.com/r/ImmigrationCanada/comments/1etbg1t/csq_application_taking_too_long_peqit/). So it’s not impossible! Possibly luck, possibly a good application – but Québec does approve many graduates, especially those who show they fit in by language and skills.

Lastly, don’t forget the Post-Graduation Work Permit extensions: IRCC sometimes offers one-time extensions for expiring PGWPs when PR backlogs are high. In 2023, for instance, there was an 18-month extension policy for those with expiring permits so they could keep working while waiting for draws. Keep an eye out – if the job market needs you or PR is slow, such measures can buy you time. Québec also introduced the IMP+ open work permit program which allows CSQ holders to get a 3-year open work permit while waiting for PR, without needing an employer sponsor (https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/open-work-permit). So, if you get your CSQ through PEQ or Arrima, you won’t be stuck; you can continue working in Québec on an open work permit bridging the gap.

Alright, deep breath – that was a lot! 🎓 Next, let’s shift perspective from students to another major group: young professionals, particularly those under 30, who have their own set of opportunities and pressures.

Young Professionals (Under 30): Points, Programs, and Portability

If you’re in your twenties and looking to immigrate, congrats – age is on your side! Both Québec and the rest of Canada reward youth in their points systems. But being young also means you might be more flexible – perhaps willing to move for a job or PR opportunity. Let’s explore what being under 30 means for immigration and why so many young folks are torn between Québec and other provinces.

Express Entry’s love affair with youth: The federal Express Entry system gives maximum CRS points for age 20-29. At 29, you get as many age points as possible; by 30 it starts dipping each year (and by 45, age points hit zero). So, a 25-year-old skilled worker with the same profile as a 35-year-old will outrank them significantly in the EE pool. This is why a lot of newcomers under 30 feel a clock ticking – they want to clinch PR before “aging out” of the top scores. If you’re currently in Québec and struggling with, say, French or waiting on a CSQ, you might consider that every year you delay could cost points if you ever switch to Express Entry. This has led some Quebec-based young professionals to contemplate moving out to apply federally while their age is optimal.

Québec points for age: Québec’s selection grid also favours younger applicants, though the cutoff is a bit higher. Québec gives maximum points up to age 35, and you can still get some points up to age 43 (after which it’s zero). So Québec is a bit more forgiving to early 30s compared to EE. For example, a 32-year-old can still score almost full points in Québec’s system, whereas in Express Entry they’d already have lost some. This is worth noting: if you’re in your mid-30s and haven’t secured PR yet, Québec’s path might actually be more forgiving age-wise (assuming you have French and other factors), whereas EE might start getting out of reach unless you compensate with things like a job offer or provincial nomination.

Working Holiday Visas (IEC): A lot of people under 30 come to Canada on Working Holiday visas (through International Experience Canada agreements). Montréal is a popular destination for young travelers – it’s affordable, fun, and international. If you came to Québec on a working holiday and fell in love with the place, you might now be looking at how to stay permanently. Your options would be similar: either Québec’s skilled worker/PEQ route or switching to a federal route via another province. One thing to watch: the IEC age limit is often 30 (for some countries 35). Once that visa expires, you’ll need a new status like an employer-sponsored work permit or studies, unless you obtained PR by then. Québec’s job market for youth can be tricky if you don’t speak French (many service jobs will expect it). Some working holiday folks end up improving their French during their stay – which is great for Québec immigration – others may hit a ceiling and consider moving to an English city. It really depends on how integrated you become.

Case study – Alex’s decision: Alex is 27, from Brazil, working in IT in Montréal on a 3-year employer-specific work permit. He loves the city’s vibe. However, he’s not fluent in French yet, and he’s eyeing the Express Entry draws. His profile: Bachelor’s degree, 5 years of experience (including 2 in Canada), fluent English, basic French. If Alex were in Toronto, his CRS score might be around ~470 and he could get an ITA in one of the draws (especially since IRCC started doing category draws for STEM workers – he’d be a prime candidate). But in Montréal, Alex would need to go through Québec’s Arrima system. Without strong French, his chances of being invited by Québec might be low – Québec tends to pick those with higher French proficiency or who meet specific labor needs. Also, Arrima has been somewhat slow lately; as noted, Québec paused regular skilled invitations for a while and only resumed with new rules. Alex also knows that by age 30 his Express Entry points will start dropping. He faces a tough choice: should he move to an English province while he’s still young and competitive for EE, or stick it out in Québec hoping to improve his French and get a CSQ?

A lot of young professionals in Québec face Alex’s conundrum. Many take a hybrid approach: give Québec a try for a set time, and have a Plan B with the rest of Canada. For Alex, that might mean, say, spending one more year in Montréal focusing on French (maybe even taking evening classes or finding a francophone roommate), and simultaneously maybe creating an Express Entry profile indicating Ontario as destination, just to see if he gets a quick invite (some actually do this – it’s a bit risky as discussed, but technically possible if one is willing to move).

One Reddit user in a similar spot shared their timeline waiting for a Québec CSQ, and it highlights the youthful impatience and concern: “I applied in Jan 2024… I’ve seen dozens of posts of people waiting 7-8+ months and no answer. Calling MIFI is useless.” They theorized why delays were happening (from possible “xenophobia” against certain nationalities to simply new rules causing backlogs) and didn’t know what to expect. You can sense the frustration. For a 27-year-old, 11 months of silence feels like an eternity – it’s nearly half of the remaining prime age window for Express Entry.

The French factor for young immigrants: Here’s something interesting – if you do speak French and you’re under 30, you’re almost a unicorn in Canada’s immigration world. The federal system highly rewards francophones now (bonus CRS points up to 50, plus separate French-only draws). Québec of course wants you. So a young French-speaking professional basically has the red carpet in both pathways. For example, a 28-year-old French engineer could either get a CSQ quickly (since they fulfill the 95% francophone goal Québec has) or get an Express Entry invite through the French-proficiency category even if their CRS is slightly lower. It’s a great position to be in. I’ve observed many French nationals or North Africans with strong French finding it relatively easy to secure PR: some choose Québec because of cultural/language comfort, others actually leverage their French in Ontario’s French-Skilled Worker PNP or federal draws. The world is your oyster if you’re young and French-fluent.

Leveraging PNPs as a young worker: Don’t forget provincial nominations (PNPs outside Québec). Being under 30 can help in certain PNP points systems too. For example, Ontario’s Human Capital streams for Express Entry have their own scoring where age is a factor, and BC’s points system for its skilled worker stream also gives some edge to younger folks. If you find Québec isn’t working out, you might look at provinces that have high demand for your occupation. Tech workers under 30, for instance, do well in BC’s Tech draws or Ontario’s Tech draws. Healthcare professionals are being courted by many provinces due to shortages. Sometimes a move to a smaller province can yield a quick nomination – I know someone (age 26) who left Montréal for Nova Scotia because NS had a pathway for their occupation, got nominated in a few months, and PR not long after. It’s a more drastic move, but when you’re young it can be an adventure rather than a burden. Two years in, say, Halifax, and you’re a Canadian PR at 28 – you could still move back to Montréal at 28/29 as a PR and settle permanently with far less stress. It’s a strategy worth considering if Québec’s door seems shut.

Quality of life vs PR timeline: In your 20s, you might also weigh lifestyle heavily. Montréal offers an exciting lifestyle for young folks – nightlife, arts, a European flair – often at a lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver. That’s why many hesitate to leave despite PR concerns. It’s totally valid to value happiness and community over a marginally faster PR route. Some people simply decide, “I love it here, I’ll do whatever it takes to get PR in Québec even if it’s slower.” They might take jobs that aren’t ideal or invest in learning French deeply, all because they see their long-term future in Québec. Others prioritize obtaining PR quickly, even if it means living somewhere less preferred for a short time. There’s no right or wrong – it’s personal. Just remember, as long as you secure PR before your mid-30s, you have lots of time ahead to live wherever in Canada. Even if you endure a couple years in a province that wasn’t your first choice, you can later move to your dream city once you’re a permanent resident. That thought comforts some people who temporarily re-locate for immigration reasons.

Don’t overlook networking: Young workers often find jobs through networking. If you want to stay in Québec, building a network can be crucial – a supportive employer might sponsor you for a work permit extension or be patient while you sort out immigration. For example, if your PGWP is expiring and you haven’t got PR, a Québec employer could apply for an LMIA to keep you (though Québec did put a temporary freeze on low-wage LMIAs in Montréal region to protect the job market – only higher-wage roles or certain sectors can still do LMIAs easily). Also, Québec has its own lists of occupations open to simplified LMIA (meaning easier hiring of foreigners) – mostly in high-demand jobs like IT, engineering, health, etc. Being under 30, employers may see you as adaptable and long-term talent, so use that: attend industry meetups, improve your French to expand job options, and let employers know you’re seeking sponsorship if needed.

In summary, youth is a big asset in Canadian immigration, but Québec’s requirements might channel that asset differently. If you can combine youth + French + some patience for bureaucracy, Québec can absolutely be your permanent home. If any of those elements are missing, you might find your youth better spent taking a quicker route elsewhere and returning later. Keep an open mind and absorb stories from others – forums are full of 20-somethings sharing exactly these calculations. One couple concluded their Reddit post with: “We’re feeling overwhelmed but hopeful.” That sums it up – it is overwhelming to navigate at a young age, but Canada’s a country built on hopeful immigrants, and you’ll find your path too.

Now, let’s talk about those who often have very specific goals in coming to Canada – the skilled workers and professionals, especially those with some experience or job offers (some of you might already be in Québec on temporary work permits). How does Québec treat you, and how do other provinces compare?

Skilled Workers & Professionals: Navigating Québec’s Process vs Other Provinces

Québec has long been a magnet for certain skilled workers – think AI researchers for Montréal’s tech sector, video game designers, aerospace engineers, nurses, etc. If you’re a professional with work experience (whether abroad or in Canada), your immigration journey will revolve around either Québec’s skilled worker programs or the federal Express Entry/PNP route, depending on where you settle.

Let’s break this down into two scenarios: those already working in Québec and those considering Québec from abroad (versus other provinces).

If You’re Already Working in Québec (Temporary Foreign Worker)

Perhaps you came on a closed work permit tied to an employer, or an open work permit (like a PGWP). You’re contributing your skills to Québec’s economy – great! The province would like to keep talent like you, but they also reallywant you to integrate (read: learn French, if you haven’t). Your main pathways to PR in Québec are:

• PEQ (Québec Experience Program) – Worker stream: For workers who have at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in Québec (in the last 24 months) and are currently employed in Québec. This is one of the fastest routes if you meet the criteria. Key criteria include having intermediate-advanced French (level B2). If you’re on a work permit and hit one year at a qualifying job, you could apply under PEQ. Be aware: In 2020, Québec made PEQ a bit stricter (they lengthened the work experience requirement from 12 to 24 months for a while, then it went back to 12, and they added a requirement to pass a values test or take an integration course). By 2023-2024, it’s 12 months again. However, remember earlier we noted Québec suspended the PEQ Graduate stream until mid-2025; thankfully, the PEQ Worker stream was not suspended (as of writing, workers can still apply). If you qualify now, it might be wise to apply before any new changes hit. In 2025, Québec’s admitting slightly fewer via PEQ overall, but workers are still welcome; just expect processing times that could be a few months. There have been some reports of slower processing and even interviews to verify French ability (if the government doubts your test results). One person on a forum shared: “They called me for an interview to verify my French even though I passed the exam – I felt like I was in a nightmare, I couldn’t sleep” because the wait was so long and nerve-wracking. The lesson: ensure your French is solid (no faking – they will know), and then be patient but persistent (follow up if processing stretches out).

• Arrima – Regular Skilled Worker (PSTQ): If you don’t quite fit PEQ (maybe your job isn’t eligible or your French is weak), you might go through Arrima’s points system. You create a profile, get a score, and hope for an invitation to apply for CSQ. Points factors include your age, education, work experience, French/English, ties to Québec (like family or job offer), and whether your occupation is in demand. Québec periodically conducts draws from the Arrima pool. For example, they have done draws targeting specific occupations or those with job offers in regions outside Montreal, etc. In 2024, they were fine-tuning this system. Important update: In late 2024, Québec rebranded the program to PSTQ and paused general invitations until mid-2025 to implement new criteria (they resumed by fall 2025). The government indicated they plan to issue up to ~32,000 economic immigrant admissions in 2025 through the various programs (PEQ, PSTQ, etc.) . They also put that 25% nationality cap we discussed, to ensure no single country dominates the invites. If you’re in Arrima now, know that your chance might depend on how Québec prioritizes categories. E.g., nurses and teachers were invited in some 2023 draws because of urgent needs.

• Québec Self-Employed or Entrepreneur Programs: These are niche, but if you’re a professional who is self-employed (artists, athletes, etc.) or you have significant funds to start a business, Québec has (or had) streams for that. The Québec Entrepreneur program and Self-Employed program exist, but spaces are limited and criteria strict (and the Investor program is suspended). Other provinces and federal have analogues like the Start-Up Visa and provincial entrepreneur streams. If you fall in this category, it might be worth comparing where the conditions suit you better. For instance, some businesspeople choose other provinces because Québec’s investor program closed and the start-up visa is federal (and doesn’t allow Québec business). But this is a small subset of skilled folks.

Now, how does this compare to someone identical to you working in Ontario or B.C.? Outside Québec, a skilled worker would probably go through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class), or a Provincial Nominee Program if they need extra points or don’t meet EE criteria. Express Entry can be very fast if you’re above the cutoff score – sometimes as quick as 6-8 months from ITA to PR visa. PNPs can add some months but give a sure boost (600 points) to get PR.

One major difference: Language flexibility. If you only speak English, Ontario or other provinces don’t mind; you can still get PR if your score is high enough. In Québec, as we hammered home, lack of French is a barrier for almost all economic pathways. I know talented engineers in Montréal who ended up moving to Toronto because despite a great resume, they weren’t getting invited for Québec PR due to no French, while Express Entry would happily take them.

It works the other way too – I recall a story of a French-speaking professional who struggled in Express Entry because of lower education, but Québec’s program favored them for speaking French and having Québec experience. They got CSQ and PR whereas they likely wouldn’t have qualified federally. Québec is the land of opportunity for Francophone skilled workers even if they aren’t top of the EE ranking. In fact, Québec functions as Canada’s dedicated gateway for Francophones from around the world; it has recruitment campaigns in French-speaking countries and often those folks integrate well in Québec (and Québec meets its francisation targets).

Processing times and experiences: Let’s address the elephant in the room – processing in Québec can be slow and opaque. There’s even a Reddit megathread called “MEGATHREAD – Processing Times – Québec Applications 2025” (https://www.reddit.com/r/ImmigrationCanada/comments/1o49tgn/should_we_leave_quebec_for_pr/) where people trade timelines and commiserate. Some recent examples:

• One person applied for a CSQ in Feb 2025 via PEQ, and by March had done their values test, but then months of silence.

• Another said: “Applied March 26 2024, passed the values test on April 6. Still waiting! Hoping it’s going to come soon!” (implying at least 6+ months wait).

• A success story: “My SO just got his CSQ today. It took 2 years… Originally denied because of insufficient proof he intended to stay in Québec, but finally approved.” (2 years is extreme, but this was a case from a few years back on a forum – hopefully not the norm now!).

By contrast, Express Entry applicants often know their fate within a few months of submitting documents. The anxiety of an open-ended “en traitement” (in processing) status has driven many on forums to despair. “I feel like I’m in a nightmare”, wrote one, waiting and unsure if something was wrong or just backlogged

Québec has tried to address backlogs by introducing the Arrima system and doing targeted draws, but during 2024/25 it’s clear that policy changes slowed things. The government openly aimed to reduce immigration intake slightly for 2024-2025 compared to previous projections, citing the province’s capacity (they worry about housing shortages, integration, etc.). So if you’re in the pipeline, it might not be as fast as you hoped.

Job offers and LMIAs: If you have a permanent job offer in Québec, it can significantly help. Québec has a system of giving extra points for validated job offers (and unlike other provinces, Québec’s job offer validation process is separate from an LMIA for a work permit). It basically ensures that if an employer really wants to keep you permanently, you get a boost in the immigration selection. Meanwhile, outside Québec, a job offer can give you CRS points too (if it’s supported by an LMIA or if you’re on certain work permits). The difference is, in Express Entry you need the employer to do an LMIA for PR (a specific confirmation for PR purposes) to get points – which many avoid due to hassle. In Québec, just having a full-time job in your field could strengthen your Arrima score even without a formal LMIA in some cases. Always check the latest rules, though, because the points allocation changes.

It’s worth noting Québec made a notable decision in September 2024: they suspended LMIAs for low-wage jobs in the Montréal area for 6 months (later extended). This means employers in Montreal couldn’t hire new temporary foreign workers in low-paying roles during that period. They did this to protect local labor and because they had a lot of TFWs already. The federal government even followed with a similar rule in high unemployment regions. If you’re a skilled worker, that likely doesn’t affect you (your job probably pays above the median wage). But it shows Québec’s stance: they want to be selective about which workers they transition to PR – focusing on higher skilled, French-speaking ones ideally.

Comparing to Ontario/BC’s PNP draws: Ontario, BC, Alberta, etc., actively invite skilled workers through their own systems. For example, Ontario has a Human Capital Priorities stream that in 2024 was targeting tech occupations and health occupations in the Express Entry pool – they send you a notification if you qualify, you apply to Ontario, and if nominated you get PR. BC runs draws every two weeks for tech workers, healthcare, early childhood educators, etc., and processes nominations in months. These are more “supply-driven” – provinces see who they need and pick them. Québec’s approach via Arrima has been similar lately (targeting specific fields), but historically it was more demand-driven (waiting for applicants). The landscape outside Québec is competitive but arguably more transparent: you know the score or criteria needed because provinces publish cut-off scores for draws, etc. Québec is catching up to that model, but sometimes criteria aren’t fully published, leaving candidates guessing why so-and-so got an invite and they didn’t.

Procedural Fairness if in Québec but applying out-of-province: We touched this, but to reiterate for skilled workers: if you live in Québec on a work permit and apply through Express Entry (saying you intend, say, Calgary), IRCC might question you. A user posted: “Hello everyone, I have changed my address for 15 days. I moved from Ontario to Québec. Today I called Canada Immigration and it said it is [something] … I received a procedural fairness letter regarding my intention to leave Quebec.” (from a Facebook group). Essentially, IRCC can send a letter asking you to prove you will live outside Québec if you claimed that. If you can’t, they’ll refuse. So if you are going to try the EE route while in Québec, be prepared: possibly move to another province physically, get a lease, have a job offer there – something concrete to show. One Redditor shared that after receiving an Express Entry ITA, they literally moved to Toronto the next week with their spouse, before submitting the PR application, and explained to IRCC that they had moved out of Québec (they even had their Québec school let them do a co-op in Ontario, got a relative’s address to stay, etc.). They managed to satisfy the requirements and got PR. It was a whirlwind move, but it paid off. These are the lengths people go to, highlighting how rigid that provincial intent condition is.

If You’re Considering Québec from Abroad

Perhaps you’re not in Canada yet, but you have skills and are weighing Québec vs another province to immigrate to. A few points to consider:

• Mon projet Québec vs Express Entry: To apply to Québec directly from abroad, you’d typically create an Arrima profile and, if invited, submit a full application (Mon projet Québec is the old system name). This is independent of Express Entry. You could actually do both (some people open an Express Entry profile AND an Arrima profile to hedge bets, indicating non-Québec in EE and Québec in Arrima). But ultimately, you’ll have to choose one because once a PR application is in process, you shouldn’t have two conflicting ones. Think about your language and adaptability: if you speak little French, your chances of getting a Québec invite from abroad are slim unless you have a job offer or your occupation is extremely in demand. On the other hand, you might score well in Express Entry without French if your English is strong and you have degrees and experience. So evaluate where your profile shines.

• Provincial connections: Outside Québec, many PNP streams require some connection (like studying there, a job there, or even a relative there). Québec’s selection doesn’t strictly require you to have set foot in Québec – though they do ask in your application about any visits or ties, and having a spouse who’s been in Québec or family here can give extra points. If you love Québec culture or have French ability, mention all that in your application. Québec wants to know you’re genuinely interested in living there, not just applying randomly. They might even conduct an interview (in French) before issuing a CSQ to overseas applicants, to verify your intentions and language. Be prepared for that if applicable.

• Comparative ease: Some people find it easier to get PR via Québec, especially if their CRS score is too low for Express Entry. For example, a pharmacist from Morocco with basic English but good French might struggle in EE (since EE favors English and younger applicants), but could do well through Québec’s program and get a CSQ. Québec does have a cap on how many CSQs it issues per year, but if you meet their criteria, a CSQ is effectively a guaranteed PR (the federal stage rarely refuses someone selected by Québec unless there’s an admissibility issue). It might take longer time-wise, but it can be more certain for those who fit Québec’s profile.

• Integration after landing: Life in Québec has its nuances – you’ll be expected to integrate linguistically. The government provides free French classes to new immigrants (even some financial stipend to attend). They also have employment integration programs. Meanwhile in an English province, integration might revolve more around bridging programs or credential recognition if you’re in a regulated profession. Consider your field: if it’s regulated (doctor, lawyer, nurse, etc.), note that Québec has its own licensing bodies separate from the rest of Canada. Sometimes it’s easier to get licensed elsewhere vs Québec, or vice versa, depending on agreements. It’s worth researching for your profession where you’d have an easier time practicing. This isn’t immigration per se, but ties into where you want to settle. For instance, internationally trained nurses have slightly different pathways for licensure in Québec (and need French proficiency to work), whereas some other provinces offer more streamlining to get foreign nurses into the system quickly (due to shortages).

To wrap up the skilled workers section: Québec can be a fantastic choice if you have or are willing to gain French proficiency and perhaps tolerate some waiting. It’s especially attractive for those who already in Québec on temporary status and have built a life here (you’ve got friends, maybe family, a job you like – all strong reasons to pursue PR in Québec despite hurdles). On the other hand, if you’re primarily concerned with speed and certainty, and you’re equally happy living in, say, Ottawa or Vancouver, then the federal/PNP route might appeal more. Plenty of people “jump ship”from Québec to other provinces for this reason – anecdotally, we see it in the steady flow of people moving to Ontario every year.

One more thing: there’s a trend of Francophone immigrants leveraging Québec as a springboard – they land as PRs in Montréal (via another province’s program) because they ultimately wanted to be in a French environment but couldn’t get PR through Québec’s path. This is somewhat rare but it happens. Since once you’re a PR you can live anywhere, a small number of folks use, for example, the federal French-speaking streams (like Ontario’s Francophone stream which doesn’t even require you to live in Ontario after, realistically) to get PR and then move to Québec as French-speaking PRs. The Canadian system is oddly tolerant of this because it respects mobility rights, but it can undermine Québec’s selection autonomy a bit. Québec’s solution to that has been to push for more francophone admissions federally and to maintain its own selection levels.

Alright, we’ve covered students, young newcomers, and skilled workers. Each has their special considerations. Now let’s turn to a category that often gets overlooked in these discussions but is crucial: family sponsorship and other personal immigration streams. How does Québec handle those, and what changed recently that everyone should know?

Family Sponsorship and Other Newcomers: Love and Family in Québec’s Immigration Maze

Not all immigrants come through work or study – many come because they fell in love with a Canadian or want to reunite with family. Family reunification is a big part of immigration, and if you’re a newcomer under 30, you might not be thinking of sponsoring anyone yet (except maybe a spouse or partner). But it’s good to know how Québec differs in this area, especially given major changes that started in 2024.

Spousal Sponsorship in Québec vs Rest of Canada: Say you’re an international student or worker in Québec and you marry your partner (who might be a Canadian PR/citizen) – you’d likely apply for spousal sponsorship for PR. The process always involves IRCC federally, but in Québec there’s an extra step: Québec must approve an “undertaking”. Essentially, the province agrees to the sponsorship too and might have you sign a contract promising to support the spouse. Historically, Québec followed along with whatever IRCC decided – it didn’t limit spousal sponsorships. However, in June 2024 Québec introduced a cap on family sponsorship applications for the first time. They set a maximum of 13,000 family sponsorship cases over two years (June 2024 to June 2026), of which 10,400 were for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, and 2,600 for other relatives (like parents or grandparents).

This cap was reached much faster than expected. By July 2025 (just a year in), Québec announced it had already hit the cap for spouses and adult children, and closed intake until 2026 (https://moving2canada.com/news-and-features/news/immigration/quebec-closes-key-family-sponsorships-until-2026/). This means if you were trying to sponsor your wife or husband to Québec after that point, you literally couldn’t – any new applications would be returned unprocessed, unless they fall under an exemption. Exemptions include minors (kids under 18) and special cases like orphaned relatives or dependents with disabilities, which are few.

This was a shock to many couples. Imagine being newlyweds and being told “sorry, Québec isn’t accepting more sponsorships for now, try again in 2026.” The Québec government reasoned that family sponsorship needed limits because of housing shortages and integration capacity. But critics called it harsh and unnecessary, given the federal government doesn’t impose such caps on spouses (family reunification is usually deemed humanitarian and not numerically limited federally).

If you’re a sponsor in Québec who missed the cap, one workaround (though not simple) is to relocate to another province and sponsor from there, since the cap only binds Québec. Some couples have done this: if one partner lives in, say, Ottawa instead of Gatineau (just across the river), the file would be processed without Québec’s involvement. It’s sad that it comes to that, but it’s an option if delaying two years is not feasible.

For those who got in before the cap or are planning for after it reopens, the spousal sponsorship process in Québec involves submitting the federal application and, after the sponsor’s eligibility is assessed by IRCC, doing paperwork for MIDI (Québec’s immigration ministry) to approve the undertaking. It usually is a formality (they check you meet income requirements if any – note: Québec has no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship, similar to federal, except for other family like parents).

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP): Federally, Canada runs a lottery system for sponsoring parents/grandparents. Québec participates in that too, but if you’re selected, Québec again must approve you (and Québec has higher income requirements for sponsoring parents than the federal minimum, since healthcare and social support fall partly on provinces). With the new cap, out of 13,000 total, only 2,600 could be parents or other relatives in that 2-year window. And indeed, Québec also hit its cap for parents by late 2025 (the news said Québec hit cap for sponsoring parents and grandparents as well) . So essentially PGP in Québec is closed until mid-2026 too. If your parents were hoping you’d sponsor them and you haven’t started by mid-2024, they’re out of luck for now if you remain in Québec.

Other provinces don’t have provincial caps on family sponsorship – they rely on the federal process (which is already a lottery with limited spots, but not province-specific). So in a weird way, sponsoring family is now harder from Québecthan anywhere else in Canada. This is something to consider if you anticipate sponsoring someone soon. For example, a 28-year-old PR who plans to marry a foreign partner might be better off moving out of Québec to do the sponsorship in 2025, rather than waiting until 2026. It’s an unfortunate consideration, but real.

Real-world feelings: There was confusion and concern on forums when Québec announced the cap. One Reddit user asked “Question concerning Quebec new cap on family sponsorship… what does this mean for my ongoing application?”– People had to clarify that if your application was already in before the cap effective date, you’re fine, but anything after gets returned (https://www.reddit.com/r/Quebec/comments/14j17hf/question_concerning_quebec_new_cap_on_family/). On YouTube, an immigration lawyer explained “Quebec said it will not be taking any more family sponsorship applications until 2026, leaving families and couples in limbo” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXDRh3t6lsQ). This is a pretty drastic measure, illustrating how Québec’s immigration policy currently prioritizes economic immigrants and is willing to slow down family reunification.

Humanitarian/refugee newcomers: Québec also has a role in refugee resettlement and handles asylum claimants in the province. They have agreements on how many government-assisted refugees they take. This might not apply to most readers here, but if you’re a refugee claimant in Québec, you still go through Canada’s system, but Québec provides integration services. Interesting note: there was a surge of asylum seekers entering Québec from the US in recent years (the whole Roxham Road issue), which Québec said strained resources. In 2023, Canada closed that irregular entry and negotiated sending more asylum seekers to other provinces. This plays into Québec’s stance of wanting to manage numbers.

Community and support: On a positive note, Québec (especially Montreal) has a strong immigrant community and networks that often become like family. If you’re new and under 30, maybe you don’t have a spouse or kids yet, but you might rely on community groups for support. Many ethnic communities in Montréal are tight-knit – there are associations for students, workers, etc. The province also sponsors some integration programs like Prix du Francais (free French courses with sometimes a small financial incentive), and newcomers’ workshops that cover how to find housing, jobs, etc. Avail yourself of those.

Also, when you do become a PR in Québec, you’ll sign a "déclaration d’intégration" basically promising to learn French if you don’t already speak it. They won’t deport you if you fail, but it’s a moral commitment. This underscores how serious Québec is about language in every stream, even family. A sponsored spouse in Québec doesn’t need French to be sponsored, but they’ll be encouraged to take free classes upon arrival.

Temporary status for family: If you have a spouse already here on a temporary status (like you’re an international student and your spouse came on an open work permit), be aware of a policy change in 2025: Canada tightened the rules for spousal open work permits. Starting January 2025, not all spouses can get open work permits easily – only those whose partner (the primary status holder) is in a high-skilled job or a graduate program. If you’re a student in a public college or undergrad now, your spouse no longer automatically qualifies for an open work permit under the new rules (https://www.canadim.com/news/changes-to-canadian-open-work-permits/). And if you’re a foreign worker but in a lower-skilled job, your spouse won’t get an OWP either. Many couples were hit by this – some already in Québec had to adjust when renewing status. If you’re in Québec and your spouse lost the ability to get a work permit due to these changes, it puts pressure on you to get PR or find other solutions. (On the bright side, spouses of those transitioning to PR via Express Entry or PNP can still get spousal work permits; but since Québec folks don’t use EE, that exception might not help unless you switched to a federal route).

Summary for family newcomers: If family reunification is a priority for you, Québec’s new restrictions are a red flag. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a family life here – of course you can, thousands do – but bureaucratically, you might face waits or need alternate plans. General newcomers under 30 eventually form families, so keep this info in your back pocket as you plan your long-term life in Canada.

For example, if you intend to bring your fiancée from abroad after you get PR, and you know Québec’s cap is an issue, one strategy: land as a PR in Québec (if that’s how you got your status), then consider moving to another province temporarily to submit the sponsorship so it goes through federally without Québec’s cap. Once your partner has PR, you both could return to Montréal. It’s a bit roundabout, but very possible. Canada’s rules allow a sponsor to live outside Québec during processing even if they intend to move to Québec after – as long as at the time of applying they reside outside Québec (since otherwise Québec jurisdiction applies). People have done this – essentially treating Ottawa as a staging ground for a year while IRCC processes the sponsorship, then moving back across the river to Gatineau/Montreal after. It’s not ideal, but love often finds a way around obstacles.

One more niche but heartwarming route: Québec has a sponsorship program for refugees and certain humanitarian cases through community groups or church groups. If you’re involved in such causes, know that Québec sets its own quotas for private sponsorship of refugees. Also, if you’re a newcomer with status and you have overseas family facing persecution, there might be Quebec-specific avenues to help them. It’s beyond our scope, but worth mentioning that immigration isn’t purely economic calculus – human stories matter, and Québec, like all of Canada, does have a humanitarian tradition (though currently somewhat constrained by caps and politics).

Conclusion: Choosing Your Path and Staying Sane

That was a lot of information – kudos for sticking with me through nearly 9,000 words of immigration nerdery! By now, you’ve seen that immigrating to Québec (or Canada in general) is a complex journey with twists at every turn. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to “Which is better, Québec or Ontario?” or “Should I stay or leave?” Instead, it comes down to your personal priorities:

• Language and Culture: Do you see yourself embracing French and Québecois culture long-term? If yes, Québec’s hurdles (like learning French) may be worthwhile because you’re investing in a future here. If no, you might be happier building a life in an English-speaking province where you’ll integrate more easily without the language barrier.

• Timeline: Are you in a rush to get PR (due to age, career goals, or personal reasons)? Federal pathways might get you there faster. If you have a bit of time and patience, Québec’s path, though slower lately, can still lead you to the same PR destination.

• Community and Support: Maybe you have family in Québec, or a job you love here. Those ties are invaluable and can justify navigating Québec’s system. Conversely, if your support network or better job prospects lie elsewhere, that’s a pull in the other direction.

• Recent Rule Changes: As we highlighted, 2024-2025 brought significant changes – from stricter PEQ criteria to caps on sponsorships and new Express Entry categories. Staying updated is crucial. What’s true today might change in a year or two. The Canadian government, both federal and Québec, regularly reviews immigration targets and policies. (For instance, keep an eye on the upcoming federal Immigration Levels Plan announcement on November 1, 2025 – that will set the tone for 2026 onward; Québec usually negotiates its share after that).

A bit of encouragement: many newcomers do succeed in making Québec home. Despite the challenges, Québec continues to attract students, skilled workers, and families who enrich the province. When I go to downtown Montréal, I hear languages from all over the world. The city and province have immigrant influencers, entrepreneurs, community leaders. They probably all went through similar stress – waiting for a CSQ, studying for a French test, deciding whether to stick it out – but they made it and are thriving.

I’ll leave you with a small, positive anecdote: A friend of mine from Colombia came to Québec for her PhD. She spoke moderate French (B1 level) when she arrived. During her studies, she improved to B2/C1 by just living daily life in French. She applied for PEQ (back when it was a bit easier) and got her CSQ in 3 months. She’s now a PR working as a researcher in a Québec tech company. She told me the key was not doing it alone – she joined French conversation meetups, asked colleagues for help with exam prep, and kept contact with immigration forums to not miss any updates. “El que persevera, alcanza,” she said – “Whoever perseveres, reaches [their goal].”

Whether you’re persevering in Québec or deciding to pursue your goal via another province, I hope this guide has armed you with insight and realistic expectations. The road can be bumpy (frankly, whose immigration journey isn’t?), but at the end of the day, Canada – and Québec – are places that welcome newcomers and value what you bring. It may feel at times like the system is testing how badly you want it – maybe it is! So show them you do.

Bonne chance et bienvenue au Canada – good luck and welcome to Canada (and hopefully to la belle province of Québec)! And remember, no matter which path you choose, you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of us who’ve been through it or are in the trenches with you, ready to offer advice or at least an empathetic ear on a late-night forum scroll.