The government of Quebec announced today major changes to its immigration programs. These changes will become effective August 1, 2013.

Program changes have been broken down as follows:

Skilled Workers

Starting in August, a cap of 20,000 applications has been placed on the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The Quebec Experience Program remains open to an unlimited number of applications. In addition, applicants with a valid offer of employment are not subjected to this cap.

A level of ‘advanced intermediate’ proficiency in French will become the new language threshold for receiving points under the “French language” selection factor for both programs.

Additionally, a new list of areas of training/fields of study will be published for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

Investors

The investor program, currently closed, will reopen to accept a maximum of 1,750 applications. A maximum of 1200 applicants per country has also been put in place. However, applicants who speak at least an ‘advanced intermediate’ level of French will not be subject to this cap.

In addition, beginning August 1, investor applicants must pay a government fee of $10,000 for review of their applications. Applications must be received between August 1 and August 16, 2013.

Businesspeople (Entrepreneurs) and Self-Employed Workers

A maximum of 500 entrepreneur and self-employed worker applications will be accepted for review. A minimum level of ‘advanced intermediate’ proficiency in French will be required to achieve “French language” points in both categories.

For more information on the upcoming changes to Quebec immigration programs, stay tuned to cicnews.com and canadavisa.com