Quebec's immigration pilot for workers in artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects
If you are a specialist in these areas, you can immigrate through the Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the AI, IT/VE sectors.
The Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence (AI), information technologies and visual effects (IT/VE) sectors allows temporary foreign workers in technology to obtain permanent residency. Each year up to 550 candidates will be invited under this pilot, with whom their families can immigrate. The program will run until January 1, 2026.
Subcategories
The program has several subcategories of candidates, depending on their profession and knowledge of French.
The program is divided into two streams:
- Artificial intelligence stream;
- Information technologies and visual effects stream.
Conditions common to both streams:
- be 18 years of age or older;
- intend to live and work in the province of Quebec;
- show financial self-sufficiency (see below).
There are two profiles in each stream:
- francophone profile — you must demonstrate the French language ability at level 7 on the Quebec scale of competency levels (upper-intermediate);
- francization profile — you have to sign a contract of obligation to learn the French language.
Artificial intelligence stream
Foreign workers and Quebec graduates can apply for this stream.
Requirements for foreign workers:
- living and working in Quebec at the time of application;
- bachelor's degree;
- at least 2 years of work experience in Quebec in NOC level 0, A or B occupation within the last 5 years;
- or a master's or doctoral degree and a job offer in Quebec with a salary of $75,000 CAD if the company is incorporated outside Montreal, and $100,000 CAD if within Montreal.
Requirements for graduates of Quebec universities:
- living in Quebec for at least half of your studies;
- job offer in Quebec;
- no scholarship, which obliges you to return to your home country after your studies;
- master's or doctoral degree obtained at least 2 years prior to application;
- or higher specialized education (DESS) and at least 6 months of NOC 0, A or B work experience within 1 year after graduation.
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In addition to the listed requirements, candidates in this stream must receive confirmation from the Information and Communications Technology Workforce Sector Committee that their profession is in the field of artificial intelligence.
Information technologies and visual effects stream
Candidates in this stream must meet the following requirements:
- living and working in Quebec;
- at least 2 years of work experience in Quebec within the last 5 years;
- college studies – technical training or bachelor's degree;
- job offer in Quebec.
The following professions are suitable for participation in the IT and visual effects stream:
- information systems analysts and consultants;
- graphic designers and illustrators (visual effects only);
- computer and information systems managers;
- software engineers and designers;
- electrical and electronics engineers;
- producers, directors, choreographers and related professions (visual effects only);
- computer programmers and interactive media developers;
- audio and video recording technicians (visual effects only);
- computer network technicians;
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians.
Settlement funds
You must prove that you have enough money, depending on your family composition. The amounts are in Canadian dollars:
| 1 adult | 2 adults | Number of children |
| $3,371 | $4,943 | 0 |
| $4,530 | $5,537 | 1 |
| $5,112 | $5,976 | 2 |
| $5,695 | $6,416 | 3 |
How to apply
To apply for a pilot, candidates must fill out a form:
The form also lists the required documents, they need to be scanned and saved in PDF format. After that, you need to create an account in the Arrima system. The system will ask you to provide information about yourself and about your family members who intend to immigrate with you. There you will also upload the completed form.
