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 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.
As of January 26, 2021, PEQ applicants are required to submit their applications, pay the required fees and upload the required documents through the Arrima portal. Paper applications will no longer be accepted.
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)
- hold a Masters, Bachelors or DEC diploma and have 12 months of work experience in a 0, A, B level job and to hold 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 and required to hold such a job at the time of application. Please note that C level work must be related to the degree.
NOTE: Work experience acquired during mandatory internships will be taken into account up to a maximum of 3 months.
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 satisfied the French language requirements of the professional order governing their occupation in Quebec.
NOTE: Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ will need to demonstrate spoken knowledge of French. This requirement will come into effect on July 22, 2021.
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.
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 24 months of the 36 months preceding the submission of an application in a 0, A or B level job;
- 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 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.
NOTE: Spouses of principal applicants under the PEQ will need to demonstrate spoken knowledge of French. This requirement will come into effect on July 22, 2021.
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. For more information on the Quebec Experience Program, please consult the Quebec Experience Program Frequently Asked Questions page.
