Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (programme de l’expérience québécoise – PEQ) is one of several immigration programs operated by the province of Quebec. PEQ is ideal for candidates with French-language proficiency who have legally acquired work experience in Quebec. PEQ is one of Quebec’s priority immigration programs, meaning that applications are processed at a much faster rate than other programs, such as Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW).

Quebec Experience Program Requirements

As with all of Quebec’s immigration pathways, this program allows applicants to apply for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate). Upon receiving a CSQ, an applicant becomes eligible to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.

All PEQ applicants must meet the following general requirements for the program:

• Have the intention of settling in Québec to hold a job;
• Have lived temporarily in Québec with the primary goal of working or studying and have respected the conditions of their stay;
• Demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French; accompanying spouses must also demonstrate knowledge of the French language
• Undertake to provide for their needs and, where applicable, those of their spouse or de facto spouse and dependent children included in their application for a certificat de sélection du Québec, for a minimum period of 3 months;
• Be at least 18 years old and hold a valid passport.

The following are acceptable methods of demonstrating advanced intermediate knowledge of French-language proficiency:

• Accepted French-language tests:
  • Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
  • Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCF-Québec)
  • Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
  • Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
  • Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
  • Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
  • Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
• A final transcript attesting to the successful completion of at least three years of secondary or post-secondary full-time study pursued entirely in French
• A final transcript attesting to the successful completion of an advanced intermediate level French course; most candidates choosing this option will be selected for an in-person interview to confirm French proficiency
• A regular licence to practice from a professional order in Quebec

In addition to these general requirements, candidates must meet additional requirements depending on whether they are applying as an international student or a temporary foreign worker.

Quebec Experience Program for International Students

Candidates applying to PEQ as international students must meet the following additional requirements:

• Have lived temporarily in Québec with the primary goal of studying and have respected the conditions of their stay;
• Have lived in Québec for at least half of the duration of their study program;
• Hold an eligible Québec diploma
• If they are submitting their application from within Québec, be legally residing in Québec at the time of submission of their application.
• For applicants that have received a diploma of technical college studies, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree: 12 months of full-time work experience, in the last 36 months, in an occupation that falls under NOC skill level O, A, or B and you must be currently employed at the time of submission of the application.
• For applicants that have received a diploma of vocational studies (DEP) of 1,800 hours or more: 18 months of work experience, in the last 36 months, in NOC skill level O, A, B, or C and you must be currently employed at the time of submission of the application. Please note that if you are employed in an occupation that falls under NOC skill level C, it must be related to your field of study.

Not all Quebec educational programs are eligible for PEQ. Candidates submitting applications as international students should verify that their program of study meets the PEQ requirements. The following types of programs are eligible for PEQ applications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Doctorate
• Diplôme d’études collégiales techniques (DEC – diploma of college studies, technical training);
• Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP – diploma of vocational studies) attesting to 1800 hours of study or more;
• Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP – diploma of vocational studies) followed by an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP – attestation of vocational specialization) attesting to a minimum of 1800 hours of continuing education and leading to a particular trade.

If an international student meets all of the above criteria, they may submit an application for a CSQ through PEQ at any time. There is no quota for this program and applications are accepted at all times. All PEQ applications are paper-based, meaning they are submitted in hard copy to MIFI for processing.

Quebec Experience Program for Foreign Workers

Candidates applying to PEQ as temporary foreign workers must meet the following additional requirements:

• Be legally in Québec as a skilled temporary foreign worker or under a youth exchange program (for example, through a Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship permit);
• Have occupied a full-time job at the management, professional or technical level for at least 24 of the 36 months preceding the submission of their application, part-time work is not accepted for this program;
• Occupy a full-time job at the management, professional or technical level (levels O, A, B under the National Occupational Classification) at the time of submission of their application.

If a foreign worker meets all of the above criteria, they may submit an application for a CSQ through PEQ at any time. There is no quota for this program and applications are accepted at all times. All PEQ applications are paper-based, meaning they are submitted in hard copy to MIFI for processing.

Transitional Measures for New Regulations

On July 22, 2020 Immigration Quebec introduced new PEQ regulations that changed the selection criteria. Under the previous selection criteria, students did not require work experience to be eligible to submit. Temporary workers required 36 months of work experience and that experience could fall under NOC skill level O, A, B, C, or D.

Transitional Measures

• All foreign students who obtained a diploma eligible under the PEQ or will obtain one by December 31, 2020, can submit an application for permanent selection based on the selection conditions in place before July 22, 2020.
• Temporary foreign workers who hold a valid work permit or another authorization to work under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002/227) and who were living in Québec on July 21, 2020 will be able to submit an application for permanent selection based on the conditions in effect before July 22, 2020.
• The Ministère will continue to accept the attestation of successful completion of an advanced intermediate French course as a document that can be submitted regarding knowledge of French if the applicant has already passed this course, was attending the course, or had already registered for it on July 21, 2020.

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