Quebec will reopen three permanent immigration pilot programs on January 13, 2025. The programs aim to address labor shortages in critical sectors and offer successful applicants a pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Initially launched in 2021, these pilot programs focus on food processing, beneficiary attendants, and the artificial intelligence and information technology sectors.
Quebec’s government has established guidelines for programs accepting applications from January 13 to December 31, 2025. The food processing and beneficiary attendant programs each cap at 600 applications. The AI, information technology, and visual effects program will also accept 600 applications, evenly split among its parts. These programs expire on January 1, 2026.
The Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Food Processing Workers requires applicants to be 18 and possess a secondary school or professional studies diploma from Quebec.
They must have 24 months of full-time work experience in a qualifying sector within the past three years, demonstrate spoken French knowledge at level 7 on the Quebec Scale, and provide proof of language proficiency. The program targets individuals in specific National Occupational Classification codes related to food and beverage manufacturing.
The pilot program for beneficiary attendants offers two pathways: 24 months of full-time work as a beneficiary attendant in Quebec within the last three years, or a vocational studies diploma in Quebec and 12 months of post-graduation work experience. Both require French proficiency and documentation. Eligible professions include beneficiary attendants and related healthcare roles.
The AI, IT, and visual effects program has different criteria for foreign workers and Quebec graduates. Foreign applicants for the AI component need a relevant diploma and at least two years of skilled work experience. Quebec graduates must complete half of their program in Quebec and have a university diploma from the past two years, along with six months of relevant work experience for graduate diplomas.
Applicants to the AI component must provide an expert committee opinion confirming the job offer aligns with their skills and sector requirements. For the IT and visual effects component, they must demonstrate recent work experience and obtain a full-time job offer in Quebec competitively wage.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken French at level 7 on the Quebec scale to qualify for the Francisation profile. Required documents include transcripts of three years of French education or recognized test results. Applicants must also commit to ongoing French learning.
Quebec’s immigration department is focused on tackling labor shortages via targeted programs, while also encouraging French language integration. The reintroduction of these pilot initiatives highlights the province’s commitment to attracting skilled workers to satisfy its economic and demographic requirements.
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