There are three categories under the Quebec Immigration System:
- Independant (worker)
- Investor
- Entrepreneur
- Self-Employed

All applicants, intended to immigrate to Quebec must submit an application either to a Service d'immigration du Quebec (SIQ) outside Quebec, or to a Canadian embassy, which will forward the application to Quebec. Applicants must first complete a Preliminary Immigration Questionnaire and submits is to a Service d'immigration du Quebec or a Canadian embassy.

If the evaluation is positive, the Service d'immigration du Quebec will forward the applicant a Selection Certificate Application form. The applicant then fills out the Selection Certificate Application form and submits it to the Service d'immigration du Quebec .

If the result is positive, the Service d'immigration du Quebec invites the applicant to come in for a selection interview; if the result is negative, the Service d'immigration du Quebec will send a refusal letter. If the applicant will recieve a Selection Certificate from the Service d'immigration du Quebec which will be forwarded to the Canadian embassy.

The Canadian embassy performs the health and national security checks. If the results of these checks are position, the Visa officer will issue an immigrant visa. If the results are negative a letter of refusal will be forwarded to the applicant.

Application Process Cost

To process an application for a Certificate, application fees vary according to the immigration category:

Category

Independant(worker)
Investor
Entrepreneur or Self-Employed

Fees Payable to Quebec

$ 300 CAN (applicant) $ 100 CAN (each dependent accompanying the applicant)
$ 850 CAN (applicant) $ 100 CAN (each dependent accompanying the applicant)
$ 700 CAN (applicant) $ 100 CAN (each dependent accompanying the applicant)
Similarly, the Canadian government (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) requires additional payment of fees to process permanent residency applications. Once immigrant visas are issued, the Canadian government also requires a right of landing fee. Nothing prohibits the federal immigration authorities from admitting to Canada an applicant who has been refused a Quebec Certificate of Selection or who otherwise is not in possession of a Quebec Certificate of Selection.

Discretionary Powers Of Quebec Immigration Officials

Quebec Immigration Officials are afforded broad discretion by law. This discretion is exercised in such a manner to satisfy public policy objectives to favour Francophone immigrants. A Quebec Certificate of Selection may be issued where the selection criteria do not reflect the possibilities of the applicant to establish successfully in Quebec.
Conversely, Quebec immigration authorities are entitled to prevent immigration by refusing to issue a Certificate of Selection to an applicant where there are reasonable grounds to believe that:
- The applicant does not have the intention to establish residency in the province of Quebec
- The applicant has little possibility of establishing successfully in Quebec
- The establishment of the applicant in Quebec would be contrary to the public interest
The "public interest" provision is undefined and permits the Quebec immigration authorities to refuse the issuance of any Certificate of Selection. The applicant will be provided written reasons for the refusal.

Without Notice Changes

Quebec immigration law allows regulatory changes of the selection criteria without notice and with retroactive effect. The Minister may also decree without notice that certain occupations are no longer eligible for selection purposes, with immediate retroactive effect upon the inventory of Quebec-destined immigration applications.