Quebec Immigration: Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
If you have studied or worked in Quebec and wish to settle in the province permanently, you may be eligible for immigration under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). This program is designed to provide a fast-track pathway for Canadian immigration, with the goal of processing applications within six months. Here is an overview of the program:
Eligibility for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
- Education requirement: You must have completed a program of study in Quebec and obtained a diploma or degree from a recognized educational institution. The program must have been a full-time study program of at least 900 hours and lasted for a minimum of 180 days.
- Work experience requirement: If you have acquired work experience in Quebec after completing your studies, you may be eligible for the PEQ. The work experience must be in a skilled occupation and obtained legally, either through a work permit or while holding a study permit that allowed you to work off-campus.
- Language proficiency requirement: You must demonstrate proficiency in French at an intermediate level. This requirement can be fulfilled by providing test results from approved French language tests, such as the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF), or by completing a recognized French language course in Quebec.
Application Process for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
- Submission of application: You need to submit your application for permanent selection under the PEQ to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). Ensure that you include all the required documents, such as proof of education, work experience, language proficiency, and other supporting documents.
- Processing time: The Quebec government aims to process PEQ applications within six months. However, processing times may vary depending on various factors, such as the volume of applications received and the complexity of individual cases.
- Permanent selection and CSQ: If your application is approved, you will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which is a document that confirms your selection for permanent immigration to Quebec. The CSQ is issued by the Quebec government and allows you to proceed with the next step of the immigration process.
- Application for permanent residence: Once you have obtained the CSQ, you can apply for permanent residence with the Government of Canada. The federal immigration authorities will conduct medical and security checks as part of the final approval process.
It is important to note that the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) has specific criteria and requirements. It is advisable to review the official website of the Quebec government’s immigration department or consult with a qualified immigration professional for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the program.
Overview
The Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise, or PEQ) offers a streamlined pathway for foreign graduates and individuals with work experience in Quebec to obtain a Quebec selection certificate, a crucial step towards permanent residency granted by the federal government. Quebec has the authority to select its economic immigrants in the skilled worker category, making it unique among Canadian provinces.
The PEQ was established by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to benefit from the contributions of individuals who have already spent time in Quebec, are familiar with Quebec’s values, and have integrated well into the society. By facilitating the hiring of young graduates from Quebec educational institutions and foreign individuals already in Quebec, the government aims to fulfill its immigration objectives and address Quebec’s demographic challenges.
Since its inception in 2010, the PEQ has issued over 70,000 selection certificates to temporary residents. Due to its popularity, with 86 percent of Quebec selection certificates being issued to PEQ applicants, the program underwent a redesign in fall 2019. The revamp aimed to improve the distribution of applicants across immigration programs and make the PEQ more responsive to labor market needs.
The PEQ is an attractive immigration option for individuals proficient in French and those with legally acquired work experience in Quebec. Another significant advantage of the program is its expedited processing time of six months, which is notably faster than other programs, such as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
Immigration Process with the PEQ
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) offers two streams for applicants:
- Temporary Foreign Workers
- Québec Graduates
As of January 2021, PEQ candidates are required to submit their applications, pay the necessary fees, and upload the required documents through the Arrima portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted. However, individuals who mailed their applications before January 26, 2021, cannot use Arrima to track their file or make changes to their application.
The application process for the PEQ involves the following steps:
Step 1: Choose the appropriate permanent selection application form based on your situation and complete it. Step 2: Gather the supporting documents listed in the application form. Step 3: Create a profile on the Arrima platform. Step 4: Submit the complete application package for permanent selection through Arrima. Step 5: Pay the fees for processing the application.
The Ministère de l’Immigration du Québec aims to process complete applications within six months, starting from the receipt of the complete application, fees, and supporting documents.
Transitional Measures for Changes in Regulations Introduced in 2020
New eligibility requirements took effect on July 22, 2020. The following transitional measures apply to individuals who may apply under the selection requirements in effect before July 22, 2020, if:
- They obtained a degree eligible for the Quebec Experience Program (QEP) before December 31, 2020.
- They were in Quebec on July 21, 2020, as a temporary foreign worker with a valid work permit or were authorized to work under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
- They had successfully completed, were in the process of completing, or were already enrolled in an Advanced Intermediate course on July 21, 2020. They can submit a certificate of completion of that course as proof of their French language proficiency. This measure also applies to the common-law spouse or spouse included in the application.
- The common-law spouse or spouse included in the application of individuals falling under the groups mentioned above are not required to demonstrate French language proficiency.
All applications submitted before the effective date of the new regulations will be processed according to the selection conditions in effect before July 22, 2020.
Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Foreign Workers
Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:
- Intend to settle in Quebec to hold a job.
- Have temporarily stayed in Quebec for work purposes.
- Have had full-time work experience in Quebec for at least 24 months out of the 36 months preceding the application in a 0, A, or B level job.
- Have legal status in Quebec as a temporary worker or under a youth exchange program, such as International Experience Canada (IEC).
- Are employed at the time of application.
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate their French language ability by:
- Providing standardized language test results recognized by the Government of Quebec, or
- Showing a final transcript confirming the successful completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study conducted entirely in French (including master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable), or
- Satisfying the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ must demonstrate spoken knowledge of French.
Full-Time Work Experience for the PEQ
The MIFI considers a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week as full-time employment. Full-time work experience acquired as an international student with a Post-Graduation Work Permit or under a Youth Exchange/International Experience Canada (IEC) Program can be considered if the applicant meets all PEQ requirements. Part-time work, self-employment, or entrepreneurial work is not considered under the PEQ.
Eligibility Criteria for Quebec Graduates
Foreign students who have studied in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:
- Intend to settle in Quebec to hold a job.
- Temporarily stayed in Quebec for study purposes.
- Obtained an eligible degree or diploma from an educational institution recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education within the past 36 months.
- Studied in Quebec for a minimum of 1,800 hours (two years).
- Hold a Masters, Bachelors, or DEC diploma and have 12 months of work experience in a 0, A, or B level job, currently holding such a job at the time of application.
- Hold a DEP and have 18 months of work experience in a 0, A, B, or C level job, currently holding such a job at the time of application. Note that C level work must be related to the degree.
- Work experience acquired during mandatory internships can be considered up to a maximum of 3 months.
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate their French language ability by:
- Showing a final transcript confirming the successful completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study conducted entirely in French (including master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable), or
- Showing a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of a study program in Quebec conducted entirely in French (including master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable), or
- Providing standardized language test results recognized by the Government of Quebec, or
- Satisfying the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ must demonstrate spoken knowledge of French.
The Government of Quebec will not issue a CSQ until the applicant submits a complete transcript and an attestation of successful completion of the diploma