Useful Links for Immigration to Québec & Canada

Immigrating to Québec is different from immigrating to the rest of Canada. Not only does Québec select its own economic immigrants, it also has distinct rules for French language integration, settlement programs, and family reunification. That can be overwhelming, but it also means that there are tons of resources designed to guide you through it.

This post is your one-stop resource list for reliable, official, and community-based tools for immigration, organized into clear categories.

🛫 Pre-Arrival Essentials

Before arriving in Québec, you can begin preparing through both federal and provincial services. Many of these are free and available online.

Canada-wide Pre-Arrival Help (Federal)

• IRCC Pre-Arrival Services Overview
  Learn what to do before arriving, from job readiness to housing and health advice:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/pre-arrival-services.html

• Next Stop Canada
  A free program funded by IRCC to help you prepare before landing:
  https://nextstopcanada.ca/

• Planning to Work in Canada?
  A must-read IRCC publication to help skilled immigrants:
  https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/workbook.pdf

Québec-specific Pre-Arrival Help

• Information Sessions for Newcomers to Québec
  Sign up for free webinars about life in Québec, immigration options, and practical tips:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/immigration-programs/information-sessions

• Official Québec Immigration Portal (Pre-Arrival Section)
  Everything you need to know about the steps to come to Québec:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/come-to-quebec

🧭 Immigration Pathways: Québec vs. Canada

Government of Canada (IRCC)

• IRCC Main Portal
  The main federal site for Express Entry, study permits, family sponsorship, and PR applications:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html

• Eligibility Tool for Immigration Programs
  Find out which immigration pathway is right for you:
  https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=165&top=29

• Family Sponsorship for Spouses, Children, and Parents
  Full guide and eligibility criteria:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html

• Express Entry Overview
  Federal skilled workers or tradespeople outside of Québec can use this system:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html

Québec Immigration Programs (MIFI)

Québec runs its own selection process for economic immigrants, including:

• Québec Immigration Programs
  Economic programs (PEQ, Arrima, QSWP), humanitarian immigration, temporary stays, and more:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration

• Arrima Portal
  Québec’s official platform for submitting expressions of interest (EOI):
  https://www.arrima.quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en

• Québec Experience Program (PEQ)
  Tailored to foreign students and temporary workers already in Québec:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/immigration-programs/experience-program

• Immigration Roadmap: Québec Government Guide
  This official guide summarizes all immigration and integration steps:
  https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/immigration/publications/fr/Guide-installation-quebec-immigrants-en.pdf

🏠 Settlement Support in Québec

Once you arrive, these programs help with day-to-day life: housing, finding work, learning French, and accessing health care.

Federal Services for Newcomers (Outside Québec)

• Find a Settlement Service Provider
  Locate support services near you (Canada-wide, not Québec):
  https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

• Start Your Life in Canada (IRCC Guide)
  Official IRCC settlement advice:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants.html

• Welcome to Canada Guide (PDF)
  A general guide for newcomers:
  https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/welcome.pdf

Québec Settlement Services (MIFI)

• Settlement Assistance Services in Québec
  Services for job search, housing, school registration, and more:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/integration-services

• Government-funded French Courses
  Québec offers full-time, part-time, and online French courses:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/integration-services/french-courses

• Accompagnement Québec
  This program matches you with an integration agent and provides step-by-step support:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/integration-services/accompagnement-quebec

• Financial Assistance During Francisation
  Financial aid available while learning French:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/integration-services/french-courses/financial-assistance

⚖️ Legal Rights and Everyday Protections

Understanding your rights as a resident or temporary immigrant is essential.

• Éducaloi – Legal Guide for Newcomers
  Free legal info on renting, working, health care, and family law in Québec:
  https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/web-guide/newcomers-quebec/

• Québec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
  Legal protections guaranteed by Québec’s human rights law:
  https://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en/your-rights/charter

• Tenant Rights in Québec (TAL)
  From rent increases to eviction rules, know your rights:
  https://www.tal.gouv.qc.ca/en

• Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF)
  Get help with French terminology and workplace communication:
  https://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/

🏥 Health & Mental Health Resources

Québec Health Insurance (RAMQ)

• RAMQ – Santé Québec: Québec’s public health insurance program. Essential registration after arrival.
  https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance

Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)

• IFHP – Health coverage for protected persons and refugee claimants: Provides temporary healthcare coverage until provincial eligibility.
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health.html

Public Health Clinics & CLSCs

• Find a CLSC near you: Québec’s public community health centres offering primary care and referrals:
  https://sante.gouv.qc.ca/en/organisation/clinique-locales-services-communautaires/

Mental Health Supports – Canada-wide

• Newcomers aged 5‑29 receive free, confidential counselling 24/7 via Kids Help Phone – call 1‑800‑668‑6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 en.wikipedia.orgcanada.ca+3canada.ca+3canada.ca+3

• IRCC Mental Health Resources: Tips and services to support newcomer well-being.
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/health-care/mental-health.htmlcmha-yr.on.cacanada.ca

Local Mental Health Services

• CICS Canada – Newcomer mental health services: Online chats and counselling in several languages.
  https://www.cicscanada.com/en/content/130/newcomer-mental-health-servicesnewcomersincanada.ca+4cicscanada.com+4canada.ca+4

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): Local branches offer peer support, mental health first aid, and newcomer-specific programs.
  https://cmha.ca

🤝 Refugee & Sponsorship Programs

Federal Refugee Sponsorship

• Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR): Community or group sponsorship programs, including Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR).
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/private-sponsorship.htmlsuicideinfo.ca+15canada.ca+15help.unhcr.org+15

• How to Sponsor a Refugee: Outline of group eligibility and responsibilities.
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/sponsor-refugee.html

Québec’s Collective Sponsorship

• Québec – Program for Refugees Abroad: Complete guide to sponsoring a refugee from abroad under Québec rules.
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/refugees-asylum-seekers/collective-sponsorship/program-overview/sponsoring-refugee quebec.caquebec.ca+1quebec.ca+1

Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH)

• Become a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (Canada): Requirements and guidelines for organizations.
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/sponsor-refugee/private-sponsorship-program/agreement-holders/eligibility.html cuc.ca+3canada.ca+3canada.ca+3

• Canadian Unitarian Council: Example SAH supporting sponsoring congregations.
  https://cuc.ca/justice-and-equity/refugee-sponsorship/ quebec.ca+4cuc.ca+4en.wikipedia.org+4

Advocacy & Rights

• Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR): Policy advocacy, resources, and networking hub.
  https://ccrweb.ca/ en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2ccrweb.ca+2

• Rights of Privately Sponsored Refugees: What refugee sponsors must provide.
  https://www.rstp.ca/en/infosheet/the-rights-of-privately-sponsored-refugees-3-2/help.unhcr.org+10rstp.ca+10en.wikipedia.org+10

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Reunification & Delays

• IRCC Family Sponsorship: Official guidance on sponsoring spouses, partners, and dependants.
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html

• Québec Family Reunification Delays: Reports highlight delays up to 34 months due to caps on applicationscanada.ca+3canada.ca+3canada.ca+3en.wikipedia.org

• Mobilisation après regroupement familial: Québec support networks for families affected by delays (e.g., Québec Réunifié community).

👶 Youth, Seniors & Vulnerable Groups

• Kids Help Phone (5‑29 yrs old): 24/7 mental health support for young newcomers.
  https://kidshelpphone.ca en.wikipedia.orgcanada.cabmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com

• Newcomers’ Health & Well‑Being (Ontario example): Community-based primary care and counselling for youth and families.
  https://cmha-yr.on.ca/get-support/newcomers-health-and-well-being-12/ cmha-yr.on.ca

• Seniors Resources: Quebec’s Access to Community Resources for Seniors program provides settlement support for elderly newcomers.
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/seniors/

🏛️ Legal Aid & Community Advocacy

• Éducaloi: Plain-language legal information on landlords, employment, family law in Québec.
  https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/web-guide/newcomers-quebec/

• Office québécois de protection du consommateur: Consumer help on contracts, credit, fraud.
  https://www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/en/home/

• Quebec Charter of Human Rights: Québec's protection for discrimination, housing, and employment rights.
  https://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en/your-rights/charter

✍️ Language & Francisation

• Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF): Terminology bank, language policies, workplace French support.
  https://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/

• Free French Courses: Québec government offers courses with integration aid.

💼 Employment Supports & Career Integration

Job Search Assistance

• Emploi Québec – Services for Newcomers
  Government-based employment support including résumé help, job fairs, and internships:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/employment/integration-support-newcomers

• Yes Montréal
  Non-profit offering career development, mentorship, and hands-on workshops:
  https://yesmontreal.ca/

• Welcome to Canada – Job Finder
  IRCC’s portal helps users find jobs and prepare for the Canadian labour market:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals.html#newcomers

Credential Recognition

• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
  Federal assessment of degrees for immigration purposes:
  https://www.alberta.ca/iqas-overview.aspx

• Conseil des métiers d’art – Québec
  Provincial assessment for trades and craft recognition:
  https://www.cmaa.qc.ca/

• Ordre professionnel lookup list
  Québec’s registry for regulated professions – engineering, healthcare, education, etc.:
  https://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/

Professional Networking

• LinkedIn Local Montréal
  Regular in-person meetups for networking:
  https://mnldmontreal.org/

• Women in Tech Montréal (WITM)
  Seminars, mentoring, and events for women in technology:
  https://women-in-techmontreal.com/

🎓 Education & Skill Development

Higher Learning

• Study in Québec – Official Portal
  Degree programs, scholarships, and admission guides for international students:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/international-students

• Université de Montréal French for Foreigners
  French immersion and academic preparation:
  https://frenchforyou.umontreal.ca/

Vocational & Continuing Education

• Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)
  Offers training for newcomers and employees:
  https://www.cpmt.gouv.qc.ca/

• IRDFA – Professional Integration
  Resources for immigrants in skilled trades:
  http://www.irdfa.qc.ca/

💰 Financial Literacy & Aid

Banking Basics

• Bank of Canada – Managing Money
  Guides for newcomers on banking, credit, fraud protection:
  https://www.bankofcanada.ca

• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
  Helps newcomers understand credit, budgeting, and Canadian financial systems:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency.html

• Desjardins Cooperative
  Popular in Québec for newcomers, offers guidance in both French and English:
  https://www.desjardins.com/ca/personal/getting-started/moving-to-canada/index.jsp

Scholarships & Grants

• FAFMC – Francophone Minority Scholarship
  Federal funding for francophone immigrants in minority environments:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/post-secondary-scholarships-francophone-minority-students.html

• Québec Scholarship Program
  Assistance for international students, often by province or institution:
  https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/international-students/scholarships-and-programs

🗃️ Additional Resources & Tools

Online Community Platforms

• Montréal Version Française Facebook Group
  A community of francophones sharing advice, events, and everyday tips.
  (Search “Montréal version française” on Facebook)

• Reddit r/montreal
  A frequently used forum for local and newcomer questions:
  https://www.reddit.com/r/montreal/

• Nextdoor
  Digital neighborhood network useful for local recommendations and community connections:
  https://nextdoor.com/city/montreal--qc--canada/

Web Apps & Calculators

• Canadian Immigration Points Calculator
  Useful for Express Entry and federal applicants:
  https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp

Unanswered Questions ?