Quebec is increasing its immigration processing fees effective January 1, 2021.

These increases take place each year and are based on the annual change in the average all-items consumer price index.

The following fee increases are effective on January 1, 2021, in Quebec:

• The fee for principal applicants who are applying as skilled workers has increased from $812 to $822;
• The fee for each family member accompanying the principal applicant has increased from $174 to $176;
• The fees for validating a permanent job offer or assessing its effects on the Quebec labour market have increased from $202 to $205;
• Fees for principal business immigration applicants, which includes Quebec investors, Quebec entrepreneurs and Quebec self-employed workers, have increased from $15,763 to $15,962 and from $1,099 to $1,113 respectively for the last two categories;
• Fees for temporary workers and foreign student applications have increased from $202 to $205;
• Comparative assessments for studies outside Quebec have increased from $121 to $123.

The above fees are related to the cost of processing the application to immigrate to Quebec. When you complete an immigration application, you may be required to pay other fees related to your file, including, for instance, the cost of supporting documents, translations or language tests.

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More changes coming early next year

Quebec also recently announced changes regarding the submission of application documents for foreign nationals under the Foreign Student Program (FSP) and the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise or PEQ). As of January 26, 2021, it will become mandatory for all applications submitted under these programs to be transmitted electronically. Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration will no longer accept paper applications after that date.

Applications under the FSP will have to be submitted online through the Online application for temporary selection for studies.

In the case of applications submitted under the PEQ, the online service is expected to be available on the Arrima portal around mid-January. All supporting documents, including the application form and fee payments, will have to be done through Arrima as of January 26, 2021.

Quebec has also announced that electronic transmission of documents will be mandatory for the three new permanent immigration pilot projects that will be implemented in 2021, namely:

• the pilot program for orderlies;
• the pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence (AI), information technologies (IT) and visual effects sectors;
• the pilot program for workers in food processing (FP).

Admission targets for 2021 in Quebec

In 2021, Quebec has set a range of 27,500 to 29,300 new admissions for its economic immigration programs, including a maximum of 24,200 skilled workers.

The province also plans for a maximum of 4,300 admissions for its business immigration programs, which include the Quebec Entrepreneur Program and the Self-Employed Program.

In addition, a maximum of 800 admissions is set for other economic categories, such as live-in caregivers and others.

An additional 10,200 new permanent residents are expected to arrive through family sponsorship, refugee and other immigration programs.

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