Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ)

The Québec Selection Certificate, also called a Certificat de sélection du Québec or CSQ, is an official document issued by Québec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

A CSQ confirms that Québec has selected an applicant for permanent immigration under an eligible Québec immigration programme. After receiving a CSQ, the applicant must submit a separate application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

IRCC assesses the permanent residence application under federal immigration requirements, including medical, criminality and security checks.

A CSQ is not a visa or a permit and does not, by itself, authorise entry to Canada.

Page Contents

• What is CSQ Quebec?
• How is the CSQ Used?
• Which Immigration Programs Require a CSQ?
• What is the Eligibility Criteria for a CSQ?
• How Do I Apply for a CSQ?
• What Happens After I Obtain a CSQ?
• What Happens After I Apply for Permanent Residency?
• What Are the Fees and Processing Times?
• What’s the Difference Between the CSQ and CAQ?
• How Can Total Law Help?

Québec has an immigration agreement with the Government of Canada that allows the province to select candidates under Québec immigration programmes.

For a Québec-selected permanent residence application, the process has two stages.

First, the applicant applies to Québec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for permanent selection. MIFI assesses the application against the selection criteria for the relevant immigration programme.

If MIFI selects the applicant, it issues a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ). The CSQ confirms that Québec has selected the applicant for permanent immigration.

The applicant must then submit a separate permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC assesses the application under Canadian immigration law, including medical, criminality and security requirements.

A Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ) is issued to applicants selected for permanent immigration to Québec. After receiving a CSQ, applicants must submit a permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Immigration programmes that can lead to a CSQ include:

• Skilled Worker Selection Program
• Entrepreneur Program
• Investor Program
• Self-Employed Worker Program
• Family Reunification Program, where Québec approves the sponsorship undertaking and issues a CSQ to the sponsored person

The former Regular Skilled Worker Program has been replaced by the Skilled Worker Selection Program. The Québec Experience Program ended in November 2025, and Québec’s permanent immigration pilot programs ended on January 1, 2026. They should not be presented as programmes open to new applicants.

A CSQ is for permanent immigration. Students applying to study in Québec must obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies before applying for a federal study permit. Certain temporary foreign workers also need a CAQ before applying for a work permit.

The eligibility requirements for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ) depend on the permanent immigration programme under which an applicant seeks selection. A CSQ confirms that Québec has selected the applicant under that programme.

Applicants under the Skilled Worker Selection Program must first submit an expression of interest through Arrima. Québec scores eligible profiles against selection criteria and may invite candidates whose profiles meet the criteria sought for a particular invitation round. An invitation does not guarantee selection, as applicants must still meet the requirements of the relevant program stream.

The Skilled Worker Selection Program has four streams, each with separate requirements. These can include age, education, work experience, occupation, French-language ability, a validated job offer and the applicant’s intention to work and settle in Québec. Applicants must also sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract.

Investor Program applicants must meet separate requirements. These include at least 2 years of qualifying management experience, a net worth of at least CAD $2,000,000, an eligible diploma and spoken French at level 7 on Québec’s French proficiency scale.

If MIFI approves the application, the applicant’s financial intermediary must make a CAD $1,000,000 5-year investment and a CAD $200,000 financial contribution within 120 days of MIFI’s request.

Applicants under the Skilled Worker Selection Program must obtain an Attestation of Learning About Democratic Values and Québec Values. Accompanying family members aged 18 or over must also obtain the attestation unless an exemption applies. MIFI requests the attestation after the permanent selection application is submitted, and the person concerned has 60 days to obtain it.

Applicants do not apply for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ) as a separate document. They apply for permanent selection under an eligible Québec immigration programme. MIFI issues a CSQ if it approves the application.

The application steps depend on the immigration programme.

Applicants under the Skilled Worker Selection Program must first create an Arrima account and submit an expression of interest online. Québec may invite eligible candidates to apply for permanent selection based on the criteria for an invitation round. Only candidates who receive an invitation can submit a permanent selection application through Arrima.

Applicants under the Entrepreneur Program must complete the required application forms, sign them and submit the full application package to MIFI by mail. The package must include the supporting documents and the required processing fee. Applicants to the Investor and Self-Employed Worker Program must also follow the application instructions for their programme.

MIFI reviews the application and supporting evidence. It may request further documents or require the applicant to attend an interview to verify the accuracy of the information provided or carry out further checks.

After receiving a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ), the applicant must submit a separate permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The Government of Canada decides whether to grant permanent residence.

A valid CSQ is required for applicants seeking permanent residence as Québec-selected skilled workers. Applicants must submit their CSQ with the federal application and meet all IRCC requirements.

The supporting documents required depend on the federal immigration class and the applicant’s circumstances. They can include identity and civil status documents, family information, police certificates, medical examination results, proof of work experience, and other documents listed in the relevant IRCC document checklist.

Québec-selected skilled worker applicants must complete the Economic Classes—Declaration of Intent to Reside in Québec form.

Applicants must pay the applicable IRCC processing fees, biometrics fee where required, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. They may also need to pay third-party costs for medical examinations, police certificates and document translation.

After an applicant submits a permanent residence application, IRCC checks that it is complete and processes it in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements. IRCC assesses medical, criminality and security admissibility.

Applicants aged 14 to 79 must provide fingerprints and a photograph for each permanent residence application. After receiving IRCC’s biometrics instruction letter, applicants have 30 days to provide their biometrics at an authorised collection location.

The principal applicant and their family members must complete an immigration medical examination when instructed by IRCC. IRCC provides instructions on the medical examination and any required biometric appointment.

The following issues can delay processing:

• Unclear scans or photocopies of documents
• Further verification of information or documents
• A medical condition requiring further tests or consultations
• A criminality or security concern
• Consultation with other Canadian or overseas offices

If IRCC approves an application made from outside Canada, it issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, where required, a permanent resident visa. The applicant becomes a permanent resident after completing the landing process in Canada.

Applicants confirming permanent residence from within Canada receive an electronic COPR through the Permanent Residence Portal. IRCC automatically issues the first permanent resident card after the person provides a Canadian address and photo, unless they do not provide these within 180 days.

Applicants pay a fee to MIFI when submitting an application for permanent selection. This is separate from the federal permanent residence fees payable to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

MIFI fees are adjusted on 1 January each year. The following fees apply from 1 January 2026:

MIFI also charges separate fees for an accompanying spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under the Skilled Worker Selection Program and Entrepreneur Program. The Investor Program does not charge an additional MIFI processing fee for accompanying family members.

IRCC fees are payable after MIFI issues the CSQ and the applicant submits a federal permanent residence application. For a Québec-selected skilled worker, the federal fee for a principal applicant is CAD $1,590, including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Biometrics fees and third-party costs, such as medical examinations, police certificates and translations, may apply separately.

MIFI does not publish a processing period that applies to every CSQ application. Processing can differ by programme, application volume, completeness and whether MIFI requests further information.

IRCC currently shows an estimated processing time of 11 months for Québec-selected skilled worker permanent residence applications.

The Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) are issued by Québec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). However, they serve different immigration purposes.

A CSQ does not grant permanent resident status. After receiving a CSQ, the applicant must apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

A CAQ does not authorise a person to study or work in Québec by itself. Most foreign nationals planning to study in Québec for more than six months need a CAQ for studies and a federal study permit. They must first receive a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution.

Certain temporary foreign workers need a CAQ under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program before applying for a federal work permit. In roles requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the employer must obtain a positive LMIA, and the worker must obtain a CAQ where required.

Some workers are exempt from the CAQ requirement, the LMIA requirement, or both, depending on the job and work-authorisation category.