Quebec Experience Program (PEQ): Pathways, Eligibility, Application Process & More

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is a fast-track immigration pathway designed for skilled workers and graduates who have already lived, studied, or worked in Quebec. It offers an accelerated route to permanent residency, with most applications processed in as little as six months.

Applicants can qualify through either the Quebec Graduate stream or the Temporary Foreign Worker stream, each with specific work or study requirements. A strong command of French is essential for this program. This article explores its eligibility criteria, application process, and key benefits in detail.

What is the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)?

The Quebec Experience Program - PEQ or Programme de l’expérience québécoise offers a speedy route for foreign graduates and Quebec work-experienced individuals to secure a Quebec selection certificate, a crucial step toward permanent residency. Uniquely governed by the Quebec-Canada Agreement, PEQ empowers Quebec to select its economic immigrants.

Tailored for those proficient in French with study or work experience in Quebec, it has granted a substantial number of selection certificates to temporary residents. Notably, a remarkable 86% of Quebec selection certificates have been awarded to PEQ applicants.

Note: The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), including both the graduate and workers streams, have been suspended until November 30, 2025.

Also Read: Quebec Skilled Worker Program: Explore the La Belle Province

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) Requirements

Here are the specific requirements for the temporary foreign workers and Quebec Graduate streams under the Quebec Experience Program.

Requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers

The Québec Experience Program (PEQ) for temporary foreign workers is designed for individuals who have gained significant work experience in the province and meet specific residency, language, and employment criteria. Here are the requirements for this stream.

General Requirements:

• Plan to settle in Québec for work with an employer over whom you have no direct or indirect legal or practical control, and the job must not fall under restricted sectors.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Possess oral French proficiency at level 7 or higher on Québec’s official scale.
• Be in Québec legally at the time of application submission.
• Show proof of financial self-sufficiency.
• If applicable, your spouse or common-law partner must demonstrate oral French proficiency at level 4 on the Québec scale.

Specific Requirements:

Hold a valid legal status in Québec as a temporary foreign worker or as a participant in a youth exchange program with one of the following permits:

• Working Holiday
• Young Professionals
• International Co-op Internship

Work Experience Requirements:

• Your work must fall under TEER categories 0, A or B1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.
• All employment must have been conducted legally within Québec.
• Jobs must be full-time, meaning a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week.
• All work must be paid.
• At the time of applying, you must have an eligible job and have completed at least 24 months of qualifying work in the 36 months prior to your application.

Requirements for Quebec Graduates

Below are the requirements for Quebec Graduates under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

General Requirements:

• Plan to live and work in Quebec for an employer you do not own or control, and avoid working in ineligible sectors.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Possess spoken French proficiency at level 7 and written French proficiency at level 5 on the Quebec French scale.
• Be physically present and legally residing in Quebec at the time of application.
• Show proof of financial self-sufficiency.

Requirements for Spouse or Partner:

• Your spouse or common-law partner must demonstrate spoken French proficiency at level 4 on the Quebec French scale.

Specific Requirements:

• Hold an eligible diploma.
• Have earned your diploma within the last 36 months before applying, through a full-time program at a Quebec-based institution.
• Complete the diploma entirely in French, or have at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies in French, either in Quebec or abroad.
• Reside in Quebec for at least half the duration of your program.

Eligible Diplomas

• Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate)
• Master’s degree (including MBA)
• Doctorate (Ph.D.)
• Diploma of College Studies - Technical (DCS)
• Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) with at least 1,800 hours of study
• DVS followed by an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS), totalling 1,800+ hours of continuing education in a trade.

Explore: Quebec Selection Certificate: A Guide for Immigration to Quebec

Accepted French Proficiency Tests for Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The accepted methods to demonstrate French proficiency include recognized tests, transcripts reflecting French study completion, or a professional license from a Quebec order.

1. Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
2. Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
3. Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
4. Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
5. Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
6. Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCF-Québec)
7. Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)

Suggested Reading: 15 Benefits of Learning French Language in Canada

Application Process to Apply for PEQ Quebec

To enter the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), applicants choose between two streams: Temporary Foreign Workers or Quebec Graduates. The process involves:

• Step 1: Complete Form: Fill out the permanent selection application form, focusing on the stream-specific sections.
• Step 2: Gather Documents: Collect necessary documents, such as educational transcripts and language proficiency results.
• Step 3: Submit via Arrima: Since January 26, 2021, all applications have been made on Arrima. If requirements are met and no interview is needed, the applicant gets the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) with guidance for the next steps.
• Step 4: Interview: Some may face an interview for information verification, with additional checks by the Ministère de l’Immigration.
• Step 5: Receive Decision: Following the review, approved applicants get the CSQ and instructions for the immigration process. Rejections come with a letter stating the reasons.

Application Fee for PEQ Quebec

As of January 1, 2024, the fees for reviewing an application for permanent selection are as follows, with adjustments annually:

Payment must be made in full, in Canadian dollars, either by the applicant or a third party. Please note that these fees are non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of your application.

Quick Read: Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ)

What is the PEQ Quebec Processing Time?

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) stands out as a top-priority program, as it offers a swift 6-month processing time, and the best part is that the program accepts applications all year round.

Quebec Experience Program for Fast and Assured Immigration to Canada

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) offers a streamlined path for Temporary Foreign Workers and Quebec Graduates to obtain permanent residency. From form completion to CSQ receipt, PEQ underscores the value of Quebec-based education and work experience.

This efficient process reflects Quebec's commitment to welcoming skilled individuals into its diverse community. Choosing PEQ as your immigration route, under the guidance of righteous immigration consultants like GetGIS, promises not just residency but a gateway to a fulfilling life in Quebec, making it an appealing choice for those seeking Canadian PR.

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