Last Updated on July 23, 2020

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.

A series of changes were made to the PEQ requirements on July 22, 2020. There are also a series of transitional measures in place for certain candidates already in Quebec when the requirements were changed.

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.

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 student must have obtained the following work experience:

Holders of a technical college diploma, a bachelor’s, a master’s or a doctorate:

• Full-time work experience of at least 12 months after the end of the study program in a job at NOC level 0, A or B.
• Hold a full-time job at NOC level 0, A or B at the time of the application.
• Work experience acquired through a full- or part-time internship as part of the course may be recognized up to a maximum of three months.

Holders of a Diploma of Vocational Studies, alone or with an Attestation of Vocational Specialization:

• Full-time work experience of at least 18 months after the end of the study program in a job at NOC level 0, A, B or C.
• Hold a full-time job at NOC level 0, A, B or C at the time of the application.
• Work experience at NOC level 0, A or B, does not have to be related to the study program.
• Work experience at NOC level C must be related to the diploma obtained in Quebec. 
• Work experience acquired through a full- or part-time internship as part of the course may be recognized up to a maximum of three months.

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;
• 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.

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Read more about the conditions to qualify under the Quebec Experience Program – graduate of Quebec stream.

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Québec Experience Program for Temporary Workers:

Candidates must meet all the requirement of the Quebec Experience Program when submitting an application

Quebec Experience Program for Temporary Foreign Workers: Requirements

• Intention to settle and work in Quebec.
• Have lived and worked legally in Quebec.
• Be legally in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker or as part of a youth exchange program.
• Hold a full-time job at NOC level 0, A or B when submitting your application.
• Have held a full-time job at NOC level 0, A or B for at least 24 of the 36 months preceding the application.
• Demonstrate oral knowledge of French equal to at least 7 of the ‘Quebec scale of French language proficiency levels for adult immigrants’ or equivalent;
• Commit to providing for your basic needs and, where applicable, those of your spouse or de facto spouse and dependent children included in your application, for a minimum of 3 months;
• Be at least 18 years old and hold a valid passport;
• Pass a Quebec values test within the prescribed deadlines (including spouse and children aged 18 or over).

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.

The target processing time for the program is six months.

Once the CSQ is issued, the applicant will apply for permanent residence to the federal government to conclude health, security and related matters.