If you have studied or worked in the province of Quebec, you may be eligible to immigrate under this fast-track Canadian immigration program.
The Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise,or PEQ) is a popular immigration pathway for foreign students with an eligible degree earned in Quebec and eligible individuals with work experience in Quebec.
Applicants who apply successfully through the PEQ receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, CSQ), which is required in order to immigrate permanently to the province.
Potential applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the PEQ, but who have experience working or studying in Quebec, may be eligible to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
On May 28, the Government of Quebec announced the reform of its Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). The changes are expected to come into force in the coming weeks. This page will be updated to reflect the changes once they take effect. Expected changes include the following:
International students:
- Masters/Bachelors/DEC — required 1-year work experience in a 0, A, B level job in the 24 months preceding the application
- DEP — required 2 years of work experience in a 0, A, B or C* level job in the 36 months preceding the application
- C level work must be related to the degree
Temporary foreign workers:
- 36 months of required work experience in Quebec in the 4 years preceding the application
- C and D level work no longer eligible
Language requirements:
- Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ will need to demonstrate spoken knowledge of French. This requirement is expected to come into effect one year after the reform comes into force.
- Language courses will no longer be accepted as proof of language proficiency
No area of training/occupations lists for PEQ student/worker streams.
The processing standard of 20 days will change to a maximum of 6 months.
Transitional measures will be included, and are as follows:
- International student PEQ applications submitted before the new regulation takes effect will be processed under the rules in place at that time.
- Foreign worker PEQ files will be processed under the previous rules provided candidates have a valid work permit and were already in Quebec before the new regulation takes effect. This means that C and D levels jobs would be accepted and only 12 months of full-time experience required.
- International students and foreign workers who have already registered, completed, or are attending a French course before the new regulation takes place will be able to have their French proficiency assessed under the previous rules (i.e. the language course will be accepted as proof of French proficiency).
Apply under the PEQ as an International Student
Foreign students who have studied in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:
- show an intention to settle in Quebec to hold a job;
- have stayed temporarily in Quebec for the purposes of study;
- have obtained an eligible degree or diploma from an educational institution recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education within the past 36 months;
- have studied in Quebec for at least 1,800 hours (two years)
Language requirements
- show a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study completed entirely in French (including the master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable); or
- a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of a study program in Québec completed entirely in French (including the master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable); or
- prove French ability by way of a standardized language test recognized by the Government of Quebec; or
- show that they have successfully completed an advanced intermediate level French course at a Quebec educational institution; or
- show that they have satisfied the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
The Government of Quebec will not issue a CSQ until the applicant submits a complete transcript and an attestation of successful completion of diploma.
Apply under the PEQ as a Temporary Foreign Worker
Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:
- show an intention to settle in Quebec to hold a job;
- have stayed temporarily in Quebec for the purposes of work;
- have had full-time work experience in Quebec for at least 12 months of the 24 months preceding the submission of an application;
- have legal status in Quebec as a temporary worker or as part of a youth exchange program, such as International Experience Canada (IEC) (Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship).
- are employed at the time of the application.
Language requirements
- prove French ability by way of a standardized language test recognized by the Government of Quebec; or
- show that they have successfully completed an advanced intermediate level French course at a Quebec educational institution; or
- show a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study completed entirely in French (including the master’s and doctoral theses, if applicable); or
- show that they have satisfied the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
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 while on a Post-Graduation Work Permit or under a Youth Exchange/International Experience Canada (IEC) Program may be taken into account if the applicant meets all PEQ requirements. MIFI will not consider any period of part-time work, self-employment, or entrepreneurial work under the PEQ.
Quebec immigration authorities expect the assessment of applications under the PEQ to be completed on a fast-track basis.