Hi all, I am new to this site. We (my husband and two children) are wanting to move to Canada from the UK and thinking of Quebec. We have just started research about which route to take. We are both in our 40s and my partner is French so bilingual. I have moderate conversational French but am not fluent. We both have degrees and professions - Architecture and Public Health.
I know that Quebec has it's own skilled worker programme and have read conflicting things about needing to be fluent in French.

My question is, is it better to go through an agent to find the best way to enter the country and if so are there any linked to either profession? I have been told it increases your chances. If it is can anyone recommend someone? I did an online test and had a few contact me but i am worried about finding the right one
Thanks in advance and sorry for such starter questions. I will be doing more research on this
Thanks

Hello and welcome to BE!
The general consensus is that unless you have complex background issues - such as criminal history, medical issues or multiple marriages then there really isn't any need to use an Immigration Consultant. All the information you need can be found on the official pages - for Quebec and for Immigration Canada, and you can get advice on just about every aspect of immigrating right here - for free! Our many experienced members (some who are or work for Immigration Consultants, a CBSA Officer and others who have worked in Immigration in various capacities) all offer their advice for free .. a thank you is all they ask for Just to say, also, that an Immigration Consultant CANNOT increase your chances nor influence anyone into making a positive decision on your behalf. You either meet the requirements for immigration or you don't. That simple. You can now pretty much apply online, so they wouldn't even be filling out the forms for you! If you do choose to use one (look for recommendations here) then do make sure they are a member of ICCRC - https://iccrc-crcic.ca/:)

You sound as though you already have a good grasp of the basics but it may help to have a read through our (many) wiki articles on Immigration and emigrating! You can find them here: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Canada

Have you used the CRS calculator yet? If not then do please do so, assume you have top marks for English and whichever level you feel you could achieve for French.. no point in taking your IELTS etc., until you have ascertained whether you are likely to have suffficient points to be drawn from the pool. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool: skilled immigrants (Express Entry) though with French and degrees your points will likely be hovering in the 400's, unfortunately your ages may go against you a little.

You may find the Quebec Skilles Worker stream of use too
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...d-workers.html

Do post back with your CRS scores, I'm sure there'll be a few that can give you relative advice! We have a few members in Quebec that have been through the process and can offer guidance too. With regards to your professions, the architect may find they need Provincial Certification, so do look into that. When you say 'Public Health' - in what capacity? Medical professions require certification and licensing (compulsory) - whereas medical secretaries and managers generally don't, so it's quite important to say what it is!


Edited to add the Architect will likely need to obtain BEFA Certification http://cacb.ca/en/broadly-experience...certification/ as well as Quebec https://www.oaq.com/accueil.html (presuming that is your Province of choice - there are other French Speaking Provinces!) - hopefully someone can confirm that the BEFA certification is a necessity in order to practice as an Architect. Links to other Provincial bodies: https://www.raic.org/raic/provincial...ons-architects

+1

Jut to add, you'll end up doing all the work for the agent, paying for copies of all the documents that you need, then submitting them to him. The only real work he will do is send them to Canada.

So you will pay him some huge fee in addition to the several thousands that you have to spend collecting all your documentation, doing tests, etc..

Hi there,

Thank you Siouxie and Scilly for these replies and insights, really helpful. I did an Express Entry Form and have a few consultants chasing me but have not responded to them. My partner last night did the Preliminary Evaluation form for Immigration to Quebec and it said he / we are eligible (I know this is not a proper assessment but fingers crossed...

My role is more managerial and public health in the UK is more about population health - so more working with communities and agencies to improve the health of people, it's not clinical. I have had a quick look in Canada and can see this too is a priority there but i am not sure what it's called over there. I have a Masters Degree and have lots of experience working in the public sector.

Thanks for the advice about architects. My partner has looked into the registration over there and understands there is a long process for this - training constituting around 3,000 hours - but we are wondering if he could find work with a practice over there in the meantime or whilst he does this. This is what can happen in Britain. He is French but living with me in the UK. He qualified in France but its not transferable.

I can see Quebec is quite different in terms of process and i am working harder to improve my French in anticipation of this.

Your site is fantastic - thank you so much for this advice and help. It's good to know you are all there. I'm particularly interested in anyone who has emigrated to Quebec and even more so from people who have experience of finding work in the same or similar professions. We have two children (11 and 13) so not keen to go out there without at least one job offer. We have some resources to see us through (a dog and two cats to move too!)

Thank you and best wishes

Hi again,
Just a few more questions whilst i am trying to complete the CRS....

• Assuming IELTS means English Language test and if so i have said i have had a test in the last two years and have top points.
• I gave myself bottom marks for French (all aspects) for me 0-
• Assuming" Educational Credential Assessment" I am assuming that my husbands architecture degree is this?
• TEF - french - i gave my husband the top marks for this

My results were 380. I have posted them below. Is this good / bad / okay?

Thanks in advance.

Your results

All Express Entry candidates get a score out of 1,200, based on the four parts of the Comprehensive Ranking System formula.

We invite the highest-ranking candidates from the pool to apply as a permanent resident through regular “rounds of invitations.” See what minimum scores have been in the past.

Core/Human capital factors

• Age = 5
• Level of education = 119
• Study in Canada = undefined
• Official Languages = 128
  • First Official Language = 128
  • Second Official Language = 0
• Canadian work experience = 0

Subtotal - Core/Human capital factors = 252

Spouse factors

• Level of education = 8
• First Official Languages = 20
• Canadian work experience = 0

Subtotal - Spouse factors = 28

Skill transferability factors

Education

• A) Official Language proficiency and education = 50
• B) Canadian work experience and education = 0

Subtotal = 50

Foreign work experience

• A) Official Language proficiency and foreign work experience = 50
• B) Canadian and foreign work experience = 0

Subtotal = 50

Certificate of qualification = 0

Subtotal Skill transferability factors = 100

Comprehensive Ranking System formula

Subtotal Core/Human capital + Spouse factors + Skill transferability = 380

Provincial nomination = 0

Job offer = 0

Study in Canada = 0

Sibling in Canada = 0

French-language skills = 0

Subtotal Additional points = 0

Grand total = 380

Unfortunately 380 won't be enough, 430ish is the minimum going on draws over the past year or so. It got down to 415 I think it was, but that was only once, and it's been consistently above around 440 for ages now. You can see all the previous draws here - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...-previous.html

Sorry, but I don't think EE is a possibility. I'd look at Quebec closer for visa options, that may be a really good route for you.

Good luck.

Would you not get more points if your husband was principal applicant due to his bilingualism?

I may be wrong but I think it is highly unlikely you would be able to work in the public sector in Quebec without being fluent in French. May also be worth looking at New Brunswick (officially a bilingual province) or Eastern Ontario where French and English speakers are much more common?

It's definitely worth looking at the points spread with the husband as the Principal applicant - but if she has a Masters and he doesn't, then she would get more points for that than a straight degree (there wouldn't be extra marks for their professional qualifications). Generally, the person who is youngest / and/or with the highest level of education gets the higher number of points. If they were to get their results from French tests as well as IELTS, it may help their points in the long run, but for EE CRS testing purposes, they could assume she has a moderate level (if she does) and he the top level.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...pring2017.html
** A total of 15 additional points will be awarded for test results of the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NLC) at level 7 in all four language skills in French (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and an English test result of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or lower.

**A total of 30 additional points will be awarded for test results of the NLC at level 7 in all four skills in French and English test results of CLB 5 or higher

Swings and roundabouts!

To the OP - stick to using the official calculators - don't use the ones supplied by 'Immigration Advisors' who can sometimes manipulate them to encourage you to sign up and apply through them, and major cost.

You might find this NOC 0411 describes your profession if you perform most of the main duties.. thought the 'Govt' part may not apply. If not, then look at the 2nd link to see if you can find one that is more likely (perhaps 0311).
NOC 2011 - 0411 - Government managers - health and social policy development and program administration - Unit group
http://www120.statcan.gc.ca/stcsr/en...ations+manager


I agree that a position with the Govt in Quebec is probably not likely without a reasonably high standard of French. Most of the Atlantic Provinces have a large French population - and if you were to put in an expression of interest and be able to get Provincial Nomination (perhaps for PEI or similar) then you would gain extra points and more chance of getting selected under EE.

Hi all and again thank you
Oh am gutted about the score... i guess it's my level of French and age bringing us down. I put the lowest level because i have no idea re the tests and levels but am working on my French.
Re the Job roles the first link worked under 0411 - thank you.
Bit gutted about Quebec not being an option - just shows how much misinformation is out there from others who said you don't need to be fluent when you arrive. We wanted there because we thought it might be easier with my partner being French. Do you think we have more chance forgetting French speaking areas and going for other provinces?
What is OP?
I wonder if we could see what the test is somehow and see what my French could score? Although i don't think that would be enough.
Hmmmm need to go back to the drawing board and sleep on it
Thanks again

OP - Original Poster

Don't give up yet

Do have a look into Quebec still, if that's your Province of choice. Whilst you may not necessarily need a good level of french as the accompanying partner, I believe if you are the Principal Applicant it may be different. Regardless, do also look online for practice tests for the French Testing for Quebec.. they should give you an idea to the level of difficulty. Working in a Govt position may be a little harder if you don't have a reasonable level of French though.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...igibility.html
http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.q...ers/index.html


Do also look at other provinces, such as NS / NB (Atlantic Provinces - where French is also spoken) - as getting Provincial nomination would boost your points.

Thank you very much ! We are going to try the test with my husband as the principal applicant. To avoid any mistake.. he is an architect qualified in France (Architecte DPLG). His qualification has been recognised by the Architects Registration Board in the UK more than 10 years ago. What would be the Canadian qualification equivalent? Thank you ! :-)

That is a professional certification/license/qualification, not necessarily the same as an academic one for immigration purposes.
https://www.cicic.ca/938/occupationa....canada?&id=27

If you are asking from an educational point of view, then it's his degree that counts, not any certification or recognition he might have from a licensing body. (Although you might get extra points under a different section if he has got his Provincial Certification. )
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...-assessed.html
You would need to have his education assessed... but if you say here what degree he has, how many years, any post degree education/qualification etc., someone should be able to offer some advice. As an example: 4 year BSc / 2 year post-grad B.Arch or whatever...