Guide

Moving to Quebec: start here, by situation

Visitor, student, temporary worker or permanent immigration candidate: your entry point, the first five steps in order, and the pages to read next — country by country.

⚠ Immigration thresholds and programs change fast — check the date

This page describes the general structure of the system, which stays stable. But exact thresholds, fees, and specific program statuses can change within weeks. Before relying on a specific figure or date below, confirm the current status on Quebec.ca or Canada.ca.

Start from your situation, not from a programme name

A visitor, a student, a temporary worker and a permanent immigration candidate do not have the same steps, or the same order. This page points you to the right entry point — and helps you avoid an expensive file in the wrong programme.

What is your situation?

Visiting

Entry requirements, private health insurance, driving with a foreign licence, winter, customs. A visit authorises neither work nor settlement: the three are regulated separately.

Studying

Study authorisation, tuition depending on your country, working while studying, and what happens after graduation.

Working

Employer-specific permits, employer requirements, changing jobs, and your rights if you are abused through your status.

Settling

Quebec selection or a federal route, then housing, health, school, work and francisation once you are here. The file is prepared before leaving; daily life is sorted after.

The first five steps, in order

Check your eligibility for the programme you are targeting before spending money: programmes target different profiles, and a refusal costs time and fees.
Prepare documents: civil status, legalisation or apostille, certified translations, police certificates, credential assessment, employer letters.
Take the required tests — French is a criterion in Quebec programmes, including for French speakers.
Plan the arrival: temporary housing, private insurance during the health coverage waiting period, budget for the first weeks.
Complete the formalities locally: social insurance number, health coverage, bank account, children's school, francisation.

Your country changes three things

The steps are the same for everyone. What changes with your country of origin: what transfers (social security agreements, licence exchange, credential recognition), what must be legalised, and the community already here.