What language challenges might I face to be declared a refugee and obtain permanent residency in Quebec?
The Quebec government’s role in the selection of refugees varies depending on whether the newcomer is making a refugee claim from inside or outside of Canada. The information on how to apply for refugee status through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is available online in both English and French. However, the forms that need to be filled in and sent to Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) are only available in French.
The MIFI also considers if a refugee will be able to integrate into Quebec’s French-speaking society in its selection process. However, this language consideration is weighed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the seriousness of the refugee’s particular situation.
The MIFI also considers if a refugee will be able to integrate into Quebec’s French-speaking society in its selection process. However, this language consideration is weighed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the seriousness of the refugee’s particular situation.
Use of French for Refugee Claimants Outside of Canada
If you are currently outside of Canada and hoping to come to Quebec as a refugee, then you will first need to be declared eligible for refugee status by IRCC.
Visit the IRCC website for detailed information on what conditions make you eligible for refugee status and how to file a claim from outside Canada.
Once you are declared eligible by the IRCC to come to Canada as a refugee, you can apply to the MIFI to be able to settle in Quebec.
One way this can be done is if you are privately sponsored. The Quebec government offers refugees wanting to come to the province the option of participating in a Collective Sponsorship Program (CSP) if the refugee can be sponsored by:
A group of two to five people; or
A non-profit organization.
A non-profit organization.
Visit the Quebec government website for:
More information about Quebec’s CSP;
The conditions this group of people or non-profit organization must meet to be able to sponsor a refugee not yet in Canada; and
The procedure for filing a CSP application by your private sponsor and brining your family to Canada as well.
The conditions this group of people or non-profit organization must meet to be able to sponsor a refugee not yet in Canada; and
The procedure for filing a CSP application by your private sponsor and brining your family to Canada as well.
As you prepare your CSP application, you may come across the following difficulties, depending on you and your sponsor’s French-language skills:
1. Your sponsor creating an Arrima account (application portal of the MIFI).
The account portal is only available in French. This includes the process and instructions to create an account (Créer un compte).
2. Your sponsor filling in and submitting the Step 1 of the undertaking application – Legal person form. PDF file, available only in French.
Once your CSP application has been accepted, you will need to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) from the Quebec government to be allowed to come to Canada and settle in Quebec.
This process will include travelling to Quebec for an interview to see how easily you may integrate into Quebec’s French-speaking society.
Although the interview is conducted in French, you can request a translator, sometimes paid for by the MIFI depending on the specific details of your application.
Visit the MIFI website for more detailed information on:
Being selected by the Quebec government;
Travelling to Quebec and what to do when you arrive; and
Bringing your spouse and children to Quebec.
Travelling to Quebec and what to do when you arrive; and
Bringing your spouse and children to Quebec.
Use of French for Refugee Claimants Inside of Canada
If you are already in Quebec and want to obtain permanent residency through the refugee class, then you will first need to be declared eligible for refugee status by IRCC as an asylum seeker.
Visit the IRCC website for detailed information on what conditions make you eligible to file a refugee claim from inside Canada, how to file a claim, and what to do if your claim is rejected.
Please remember that the conditions to be recognized as a refugee are different for newcomers who are already in Canada compared to those who file a claim while outside the country.
Once you are recognized as a refugee within Canada, you must submit your application to the MIFI for the CSQ. Below is a list of some of the challenges you may face, depending on your French-language skills:
1. Filling in and submitting the Application for permanent selection – refugee class or protected person (and their family members), a PDF file, available only in French.
This form must be sent by mail with the other requested documents in the application to the following address:
Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
Direction de l’immigration familiale et humanitaire
285, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, 4e étage
Montreal (Québec) H2Y 1T8
Direction de l’immigration familiale et humanitaire
285, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, 4e étage
Montreal (Québec) H2Y 1T8
Visit the MIFI website for the step-by-step procedure on settling in Quebec after being recognized as a refugee within Canada.
For a refugee claim, you do not need to wait until you receive your CSQ to apply for permanent residency with IRCC.
Visit the IRCC website to complete your application.
What language challenges might I face to become a permanent resident on humanitarian or compassionate grounds?
If you cannot apply for permanent residency in Canada as a refugee, you may be able to become a permanent resident in Quebec through the humanitarian class. Much of the information on how to apply for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (HCG) is available online in both English and French.
HCG Claims versus Refugee Claims
Unlike when filing a refugee claim, being accepted as a permanent resident on HCG is determined on a case-by-case basis. There is no standard list of conditions you must meet.
When deciding whether to grant a newcomer permanent residency on HCG, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will usually consider factors like:
How long you have been settled in Canada;
Your work history in Canada; and
The strength of your family ties and social network in Canada.
Your work history in Canada; and
The strength of your family ties and social network in Canada.
Visit the IRCC website for a complete explanation of HCG and how to apply.
If your application for permanent residency on HCG is accepted by IRCC, you can then apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) to stay in Quebec.
During the application process, the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) will have to determine whether you are in a “special hardship” situation. Some of the factors the MIFI will consider in its decision include:
Whether your physical or psychological well-being will be negatively affected if you could not live in Quebec;
Whether returning to your country of origin would threaten your personal safety;
If you are already well established in Quebec without significant ties to your country of origin; and
How well integrated you are into Quebec and its French-speaking society, and how much you contribute to its economy.
Whether returning to your country of origin would threaten your personal safety;
If you are already well established in Quebec without significant ties to your country of origin; and
How well integrated you are into Quebec and its French-speaking society, and how much you contribute to its economy.
If your HCG application is accepted and you receive a CSQ from the MIFI, you must then apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. As a federal institution, IRCC’s services and procedures are available to newcomers in both English and French.
Visit IRCC’s website to learn about the process and how to apply for permanent residency.
If your permanent residency application is rejected, you do not have the right to file an appeal with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. However, you do have the right to file a judicial review of the rejection.
Click here for more information.
