Quebec’s immigration pilot program for workers in AI, IT, and VFX

The pilot program targets AI, IT, and VFX workers who are either currently employed in Quebec or who have a job offer from a Quebec employer. The program is accepting candidates from April 22, 2021, until January 1, 2026.

This program includes a stream for French-speakers and a stream for non-French-speakers.

The Quebec immigration pilot program for AI, IT, and VFX workers is one of three new immigration pilot programs Quebec launched that target specific occupations. These pilot programs are designed to help Quebec meet crucial demand in its labour force.

The Quebec immigration pilot program for AI, IT, and VFX workers is accepting 600 applicants in 2021, not including accompanying family members. Successful applicants will be able to apply for Canadian permanent resident status along with their accompanying family members.

Eligibility requirements — Quebec’s immigration pilot for workers in AI, IT, and VFX

This pilot program targets people residing in Quebec who have an offer of employment or are currently employed in the sectors of artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects. This program encompasses both a French-speaking stream and a non-French-speaking stream. To be considered for the French-speaking stream, applicants must demonstrate an intermediate oral knowledge of French.

This pilot program is divided into two streams: one for the artificial intelligence sector, and another for the information technologies and visual effects sector.

The artificial intelligence stream has the following requirements for applicants — requirements are divided into two subcomponents:

Artificial intelligence — Foreign worker substream requirements:

• Education: Hold an educational credential which is equivalent to a Quebec Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
• Work experience: Have at least 24 months of full-time skilled work experience (NOC 0, A, or B) gained within the five years preceding application.
• Current employment or employment offer: Either be currently working or hold an offer of employment for a position in the sector of artificial intelligence (as outlined by the comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre en technologies de l’information et des communications). This position must pay an annual salary of at least $75,000 if located outside the Montreal metropolitan area, or $100,000 if located within the Montreal metropolitan area.

Artificial intelligence — Foreign student who is a Quebec graduate substream requirements:

• Education: Hold an educational credential from a Quebec institution for a post-graduate diploma, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree.
• Work experience: If the applicant’s qualifying educational credential is a post-graduate diploma, they must have obtained at least six months of full-time skilled work experience (NOC 0, A, or B) within the 12 months after graduation.
• Current employment or employment offer: Either be currently working or hold an offer of employment for a position in the sector of artificial intelligence (as outlined by the comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre en technologies de l’information et des communications). This position must pay an annual salary of at least $75,000 if located outside the Montreal metropolitan area, or $100,000 if located within the Montreal metropolitan area.

The information technologies and visual effects stream has the following requirements for applicants:

• Education: Hold a diploma from a technical program which is equivalent to a Quebec diploma of college studies or higher.
• Work experience: Have at least 24 months of full-time skilled in an eligible occupation (see below) gained within the five years preceding application.
• Current employment or employment offer: Either be currently working or hold an offer of employment for a position in an eligible occupation (see below). The position must have an hourly wage greater than the ninth decile of the average hourly wage of the last 3 years available for that employment, as estimated by the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity.

Eligible occupations (organized by National Occupational Classification code) for the information technologies and visual effect stream include:

• information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171);
• graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 5241), but only if it is carried out in the visual effects sector;
• computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213);
• software engineers and designers (NOC 2173);
• electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 2133);
• producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 5131), but only if it is carried out in the visual effects sector;
• computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174);
• audio and video recording technicians (NOC 5225), but only if it is carried out in the visual effects sector;
• computer network technicians (code 2281); and
• electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 2241).

Application procedure — Quebec’s immigration pilot for workers in AI, IT, and VFX

In order to apply for the immigration pilot program for workers in AI, IT, and VFX, candidates must begin by submitting an application using Quebec’s online immigration platform, Arrima. Full details about what needs to be included with the application and how to apply are outlined on Quebec’s immigration website.

It should be noted that Canadian permanent residence applications submitted through Quebec programs follow a two-stage process. First, applicants must apply to the Quebec government for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). After receiving a CSQ, applicants may submit a subsequent application at the federal level for their permanent resident status.