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Quebec

Working in Quebec

The Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec (Certificate of Acceptance to Quebec, CAQ) is required for most temporary foreign workers and students who intend to reside in the province of Quebec.

Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec

A Quebec-based employer hiring a foreign skilled worker on a Temporary Work Permit must secure a CAQ in addition to a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The CAQ certifies that the Quebec Ministère d’Immigration, Diversité et Inclusion (MIDI) concurs with Service Canada’s assessment that hiring a foreign worker will have a neutral or positive effect on the local labour market. Jobs in Quebec that will last for a period of 30 days or less do not require a CAQ.

Individuals whose jobs are LMIA-exempt do not need a CAQ to perform work in Quebec.

Students in Quebec

Most individuals who intend to study in Quebec must first obtain a CAQ before applying to the Canadian federal immigration authorities for a Canada Study Permit. In order to apply for a CAQ for a study program, the potential applicant must first obtain a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Certain individuals may be exempt from the requirement for a CAQ before applying for a study permit. Alternatively, if an individual is exempt from the requirement for a study permit, he or she may also be exempt from the requirement for a CAQ.  

Individuals who are intending to pursue a study program of six months or less do not need a CAQ or a study permit. However, it is important to verify if a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is required, in order to be able to enter Canada as a visitor.

To find out if you or your business is eligible to apply for a CAQ, or if you have any questions about studying in Canada, contact us today.

To ensure a successful settlement in the province of Quebec, Canadavisa would like to present you with this landing guide.

In this guide, you will find contact information for each service agency that you may be required to contact in order to begin your new life in Quebec, whether you are moving to the city of Montreal, to Quebec City or the surrounding areas.

Learn more about life in Quebec.

Included in this Landing Guide to Quebec you’ll find information on:

General Information on Quebec

Quebec is a unique province in Canada, and prides itself on being democratic, secular, pluralist, and French speaking. It will be helpful for you to research the culture in Quebec, and have a good knowledge of the French language before you arrive.

www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca

Official website of the capital city, Quebec City: www.quebecregion.com

Official website of the city of Montreal.

Health Care in Quebec

Quebec residents are entitled to free basic healthcare coverage. You must register with Quebec healthcare (Régie de l’€™assurance maladie du Quebec, or RAMQ). For more information, visit: www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca

There is a three-month waiting period after you have arrived in Quebec before you are eligible to receive full healthcare coverage. Ensure that you have private health insurance to cover you and your family during this three-month waiting period in case of emergency.

Be sure to bring your Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, also known as a CSQ) with you when you go to register for your healthcare card. It is important to apply as soon as you arrive in Quebec.

Employment in Quebec

In order to work legally in the province of Quebec, you must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN). Apply for your SIN card as soon as possible after you arrive so that you can begin working as soon as possible. For complete details on obtaining your SIN, visit: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin

After you have obtained your SIN number, it is important to have your credentials are assessed. This is necessary to do so that Canadian employers will be able to understand your qualifications and experience in comparison to Canadian standards. Contact the Canadian Centre for International Credentials for information on having your credentials assessed. Visit: www.cicic.ca

If you work in a trade, you must obtain Canadian trade certification to practice your trade in Quebec. Try contacting Red Seal, a nation-wide trade certification organization. For complete details, visit: www.red-seal.ca

Trades people and professionals may be required to register with a provincial regulatory organization. You should be able to locate your profession or trade regulatory organization in the phonebook or by doing an online search. For example, dentists should search for Dentist Organization, Quebec. The first search result is the Association des Chirurgiens Dentists du Québec (www.acdq.qc.ca).

If you need to improve your language skills in either English or French, register for a course. Being able to speak, understand and write fluently in English and French is a necessity in Quebec. If you need to improve your French and/or English skills, be sure to start studying before you come to Quebec, and to enrol in a course immediately upon your arrival.

French is the official language of Quebec, so it is important that you have a moderate ability to speak, read and understand the French language.

There are countless immigrant serving and community organizations, as well as educational institutions that offer French language courses, some without charge to newcomers. Contact the organizations in the directory below for more information.

Tip: In addition to taking courses, watching television in French, reading French language newspapers, and making friends with French-speaking neighbours are great ways to help you learn the language in no time!

Your Resume

Before you begin searching for a job in Canada, ensure that your resume is up to date and that you have carefully checked it and your cover letters for spelling and grammatical errors. In Quebec, it may be important to have your resume translated into both French and English. Many immigrant-serving organizations offer resume writing and cover letter services to help you with this. See the directory below.

Searching for a Job

There are multiple popular online search engines for browsing job postings and finding work in Canada. The most popular include Craigslist (www.montreal.en.craigslist.ca for Montreal and www.quebec.craigslist.ca for Quebec City), Monster (www.monster.ca), and the Government of Canada’s Job Bank (www.jobbank.gc.ca).

Note: Finding work can take time, so be prepared to support yourself financially while you are looking for employment.

Tip: Are you having trouble finding work? Gain Canadian work experience by volunteering! Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your new community, improve your language skills and gain work experience and work references from Canadian organizations. Volunteering opportunities are available through most community centres, or in your local newspaper.

Finances in Quebec

Within the first days that you arrive in Quebec, it is advisable to open an account at a local bank or financial institution. Popular banks in Canada include HSBC, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Bank of Montreal (BMO), TD Canada Trust, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), National Bank of Canada, and Desjardins Bank. You can find contact information about these banks by searching for them on the internet, or you can simply walk into a local branch and ask for information.

Be sure to make an appointment with a financial advisor at your banking institution, so they can help you organize your finances in Canada, provide you with information on financing home and automobile purchases, inform you about paying for further education for yourself or your family members, and advise you about financially preparing for your retirement.

For general information on banking and financial matters in Quebec and the rest of Canada, visit the Canadian Bankers Association website at: www.cba.ca

Important to know: Canadian money is made of cents and dollars. There are 100 cents in 1 Canadian dollar. Currency is found in denominations of coins and bills, or paper currency. Divisions are as below:

  • Coins of 1 cent ($0.01) called the “penny” – Note: the penny is no longer used in commercial transactions
  • Coins of 5 cents ($0.05) called the “nickel”
  • Coins of 10 cents ($0.10) called the “dime”
  • Coins of 25 cents ($0.25) called the “quarter”
  • Coins of 1 dollar ($1.00) called the “loonie” for the Canadian loon featured on the coin
  • Coins of two dollars ($2.00) called the “twoonie” equivalent to two loonies, and
  • Bills of five dollars ($5.00), ten dollars ($10.00), twenty dollars ($20.00), fifty dollars ($50.00) and one hundred dollars ($100.00)

To find out what your home currency is against Canadian currency, talk to a representative from a local bank, or visit this popular currency exchange website: www.xe.com

In Canada, most commonly, transactions are made with cash currency, cheques, debit banking cards, and credit cards.

Tip: If your children that are under 18 years of age, you may be eligible to receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit. For information, visit the website for the Canadian Revenue Agency at www.cra.gc.ca, or call toll-free 1-800-959-2221.

Schooling and Education in Quebec

Children under 18 must be registered for school. Schooling generally begins at age four or five. Most children stay in school until they finish high school, generally at 18 years of age.

The Quebec public school system is generally divided into four levels: Elementary, Secondary, CEGEP (Collège d’enseignement general et professionnel in French, or College of General and Vocational Education, in English) and Post-Secondary, either college or university. Some districts or private schools may organize their grade levels differently, though education standards are regulated by the provincial government. The academic year for all levels of education begins in September and runs through June for elementary and secondary students. For college and university students, the academic year generally ends in April or May.

Standard holidays include Christmas and New Year’s holidays in December and January, and a spring break in either March or April. Students have the right to observe religious holidays. Additional holidays are regulated by the school board. Contact the local school board in your neighbourhood for information on registration.

Quebec is home to multiple academically recognized universities and colleges.

For complete information on post-secondary education, visit the Study in Canada Guide.

Obtaining a Driver’s Licence in Quebec

If you are planning on renting, leasing, or buying a car, you must have an official Quebec driver’€™s licence. You must register with the Société de l’€™assurance automobile du Quebec. www.saaq.qc.ca

Note: Every vehicle and driver must have insurance. Contact a local insurance provider to become properly insured before you drive.

Tip: The Société de l’assurance automobile du Quebe has a series of quizzes to help you get up to speed on the essentials of driving in Quebec: www.testdeconnaissances.saaq.gouv.qc.ca

Housing in Quebec

There are multiple different housing options across Canada. If you have not visited your new city previously, it may be best to rent a temporary apartment when you first arrive, and/or hire a real estate agent to guide you through the housing process and provide you with knowledgeable advice on the best areas to live for you and your family. It is important that you take your family, the location of your place of work, neighbourhood, and finances into account before deciding on a place to live.

Typical Types of Housing in Quebec

Apartment buildings are large, multi-unit buildings owned by one person or company where each inhabitant rents a unit. Studio or bachelor apartments are generally one room with a kitchen area and bathroom and are suited only for a single individual. Larger apartments can accommodate families as they have bedrooms and additional living space.

Tip: In Quebec, apartments are listed by room-size, rather than by square footage as they are in other parts of Canada. The number represents the number of rooms and bathrooms present in the apartment:

1 ½ = studio or bachelor apartment (1 room + 1 bathroom)

2 ½ = 2 rooms (generally living space and kitchen) + 1 bathroom

3 ½ = 3 rooms (generally living space, kitchen and bedroom) + 1 bathroom

Etc.

A large multi-unit building where each unit is owned by the inhabitant is called a condominium, and each unit is called a condo.

Often apartments and condos are found in homes that have been divided into separate living spaces.

Houses can be connected in a row, called townhouses or row houses, or detached, as separate, individual dwellings.

Though average living costs vary given the size of your family, location and level of income, housing is generally more expensive in cities. As a result, many families choose to live in suburbs which are towns located just outside of the city limits, where housing is more affordable. Suburbs often provide good neighbourhoods, schools, shopping, and healthcare, all within close proximity to the amenities of the city. Housing in the country can be even less expensive and is desirable for many families, but you will require a vehicle in order to travel for your basic needs including groceries, work, school, and healthcare.

Pets

If you are renting your home or live in a condominium, it is important that you ensure pets are legally allowed on the premises before you move in with your family pet, or purchase a family pet. It is also important to check with city bylaws to ensure that your animal is legal in Quebec.