The Quebec Government encourages foreign workers working in Quebec and international students completing a program of post-secondary studies in Quebec, to permanently remain in the province.
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is a simplified fast-track process leading to permanent residence for the two categories of applicants. The program allows international students and temporary foreign workers to apply for permanent residence from within Quebec, after completing a period of qualified work or approved studies.
Québec Experience Program for Students:
For students to be eligible, they must have studied in Quebec full time and have completed one of the following types of diplomas:
- Diploma of Vocational Studies (Diplôme d’Études Professionelles) involving 1 800 hours of study;
- DVS followed by an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (Attestation de spécialisation professionnelle) totalling 1 800 hours of study;
- Diploma of College Studies, technical training (Diplôme d’Études Collégiales technique);
- Bachelor’s degree;
- Master’s degree (and MBA); or
- Doctorate.
- Bachelor’s Degree (undergraduate university degree).
The diploma or degree must be granted by a university or by a public education institution located in Quebec and recognized by the government. Also, the international student must have lived in Quebec for at least half the duration of their study program.
In addition, the international student must possess an intermediate-advanced knowledge of oral French. The student can prove his knowledge of French by one of the following:
- Completed one of the above programs in French;
- Studied in French on a full-time basis for at least three years in a secondary or post-secondary educational institution;
- Completed an intermediate-advanced approved French course given in Quebec;
- Passed a recognized French test, such as the Test d’évaluation de français and others;
- Satisfied the language requirements of a professional Order in Quebec.
Students may submit their application for permanent selection under PEQ – Quebec Graduate stream, from within Quebec or from abroad, upon completion of their program of study.
Read more about the conditions to qualify under the Quebec Experience Program – graduate of Quebec stream.
Québec Experience Program for Temporary Workers:
To qualify under the PEQ, the applicant must be residing temporarily in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker or as a participant in an approved work holiday program.
The applicant must have been employed full-time in Quebec in any paid employment for a period of 12 months in the 24 months that precede the submission of the application. The 12-month period need not be continuous and can be accumulated with more than one employer.
Under the Regulations of August 2nd, 2018, all occupations are eligible for PEQ. This means that in addition to the managerial, professional and technical occupations that were accepted under the old program, the new PEQ accepts also level C (intermediate jobs that usually call for high school and/or job-specific training) and level D (labour jobs that usually give on-the-job training) occupations.
In Quebec, full-time employment constitutes a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week. Time spent as self-employed, business owner or part-time work is not eligible under the PEQ.
A student’s or worker’s spouse, who is working in Quebec on an open work permit, will also qualify for this program if they meet the requirements.
At the time of submission of the application, the temporary foreign worker must be employed full-time and must be in full compliance with the visa conditions of a temporary foreign worker.
The temporary foreign worker must also possess an intermediate knowledge of oral French. To prove French language abilities, the applicant may choose from among one the options described above.
Priority Processing
Under the PEQ program, the selection decisions are made solely from the information and documentary evidence submitted on file, and this is not a points-based program.
All applications should be concluded in approximately 20 business days with the issuance of a CSQ.
Once the CSQ issued, the applicant will apply for permanent residence to the federal government to conclude health, security and related matters.
