A member with a federal CRS score of 434 asked about applying through Quebec's Skilled Worker Program instead.
- Quebec runs its own separate immigration system. Federal Express Entry does not apply to Quebec at all — it has its own points grid (the Programme de l'expérience québécoise / Quebec Skilled Worker criteria) and its own selection process.
- French is not strictly mandatory, but it's heavily weighted. Members noted French isn't an absolute requirement, though it's 'highly preferred' and most successful candidates they'd seen did have some French ability, since Quebec's points system rewards it substantially.
- No ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) is required for Quebec's program, unlike federal Express Entry, which simplifies the paperwork somewhat.
- A job offer is not required either — one member confirmed they qualified with strong French scores and no job offer at all.
- Quebec has been actively inviting candidates (members mentioned invitations continuing since around August of the year discussed), including candidates in IT fields.
Takeaway: if your federal CRS score is borderline, Quebec's separate points system — with its own weighting toward French, no ECA requirement, and no mandatory job offer — may be worth exploring as an alternate route to PR.