Quebec Plans to Retain International Students in Montreal after Graduation

According to the recent announcement by the Government ofQuébecc, the government plans to invest $1.6 million in a program aimed at encouraging international students in Montréal to stay in the province after completing their studies.

An economic development organisation, Montréal International, will run the program named “Choose MMontréal,” directed towards universities, colleges, and vocational students based in the Greater Montréal Area.

This initiative was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion (MIDI). It will involve various activities, ranging from workshops with MIDI to activities involving students and job fairs.

Hopefully, this project will also provide a setup for other organisations across Québec to implement similar initiatives, emphasising the retention of international students after graduation.

To support this initiative, MIDI has made two online resources available to international students in Québec: FrQuébection en ligne and Service d’intégration en ligne, which assist with the French language and integration.

Additionally, a website has been launched recently, targeting international students and temporary residents who wish to settle in Québec for a period.

During the announcement of the new project, Québec’s Minister of Immigration, Kathleen Weil, said, “This initiative is proof that the Government of Québec is committed to putting its best efforts into making the maximum number of young international students stay in Québec, particularly in Greater Montréal.” Since all these students already hold a Québec degree in French and are familiar with the society and culture, it will be in the best interest of the country to encourage them to stay in the state to help the economy grow.

It is a strategic move to attract international students for the benefit of society, raise Québec’s inQuébec’snal profile, and strengthen its position in global research networks. This move will be consistent with Québec’s fuQuébec’sernational policy.

Permanent Residence in Québec

All Québécois graduates from any of the Québec institutions may apply for a Québec Select Certificate, after which they may apply to the federal government for permanent residence status.

A fast-track programme, namely Québec ExpeQuébec Class, is also being offered to individuals with work experience in Québec or those from a Québec post-secondary institution.

Under this program, eligible graduates may obtain a Québec SeleQuébecCertificate within approximately 20 days