Expression of Interest ranking system new selection system by Quebec

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Quebec released new information Wednesday that details how candidates in its new skilled worker Expression of Interest bank will be organized and ranked. The ranking system takes into consideration work experience in the United States, making Quebec’s the only immigration system in Canada that currently considers U.S. work experience when ranking candidates.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) candidates who submit a profile to the program’s new EOI Rank will be classed in two groups — one group for candidates with a job offer or who are living in Quebec and meet specific criteria, and another for candidates living outside of Quebec.
According to regulations published August 1, the first group is for candidates who:

• have a job offer in Quebec; OR
• are residing in Quebec with the principal goal of working and
• have a work permit and an eligible degree from a Quebec educational institution; OR
• have a work permit that is valid for 12 months or more, six-months of full-time work experience and are currently working full-time.
This first group will be ranked on the basis of scores obtained under the following seven factors:

1. Age
2. Quebec diploma
3. Canadian or U.S. work experience
4. Proficiency in French
5. Knowledge of other languages
6. Education
7. A spouse or common-law partner’s education and proficiency in French.
Candidates in this group will also receive points for the following “Skill Transferability” combinations:
1. Education combined with proficiency in French (either their own or, if applicable, their spouse’s — whichever score is highest);
2. Education combined with work experience in Canada or the US and proficiency in French;
3. Foreign work experience combined with proficiency in French;
4. Foreign work experience combined with work experience in Canada or the U.S. and proficiency in French.
The second group is for candidates who do not reside in Quebec.
Candidates in this group will be ranked based on scores obtained under the following eight factors:
1. Age
2. Quebec degree
3. Canadian or U.S. work experience
4. Training that Quebec has listed as in-demand
5. Proficiency in French
6. Knowledge of other languages
7. Education
8. A spouse or common-law partner’s education and proficiency in French.
Candidates in this second group will also receive points for the Skill Transferability combinations listed above.
Quebec has not detailed the points structure for the various factors and skills combinations.
The regulations state that Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration (MIDI) could issue invitations to apply for a CSQ to the highest scoring candidates or based on selection criteria or conditions that are deemed a priority.
Based on what we know so far Quebec’s EOI system, one major difference between it and the federal Express Entry system could be transparency.
“Invitations through Express Entry are based on a candidate’s score, whereas Quebec’s EOI system has much more discretion built into it,
“This leaves MIDI potentially free to select candidates who meet specific labour needs in the province. Whether those needs will be specified when candidates are invited remains to be seen.

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