January 5, 2016 – Changes have been made to two selection criteria and the interchange of applications under the Regular Skilled Worker Program and for business immigrants. Interchange refers to the Ministère’s ability to switch between the applicant and his or her spouse to determine who will be the principal applicant.
The first criterion changed is that of “Area of training.” This change ends the requirement by the Ministere for recent work experience related to the area of training for diplomas obtained more than five years ago. From now on, applicants will receive points for their diplomas regardless of when they were earned, provided that they were obtained before the application was submitted.
The second criterion changed is that of “Level of education.” This change will allow applicants to obtain points for this criterion provided that they obtained their diploma before their application was submitted.
Furthermore, the Minister will no longer do switches between the principal applicant and the spouse. Accordingly, the principal applicant identified when the application is submitted will remain the same throughout the review process by the Ministère.
To ensure you receive the highest number of points, you are therefore strongly advised to complete the online Preliminary Evaluation for Immigration before submitting an application.
These changes, which went into effect on December 31, 2015, apply only to new selection certificate applications received after this date.
The work experience of skilled worker applicants must have been acquired:
during the five years preceding the date of submission of the application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec;
in an occupation with a competency level above “D” according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
legally in the country or territory concerned.