Last Updated on April 9, 2020

2020-04-09 – Quebec immigration candidates are calling for clear guidance from provincial and federal governments on how the coronavirus crisis will impact their applications.

They say uncertainty is rife throughout the whole system, from those applying for permanent residence, through applicants for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), plus temporary residence with study or work permits about to expire.

Foreign students who can no longer attend school are concerned they will not be able to graduate and therefore not applying to remain in Quebec and work their way towards permanent residence.

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Quebec Guidance For Permanent Immigration Candidates

The Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI) says requests for permanent immigration continue to be processed, although government measures ‘could have an impact on the processing times for requests’.

Quebec Guidance For Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary foreign workers with a work permit about to expire or already expired, and who have lost their jobs, are advised to follow federal guidance on what to do next. They may be able to extend their stay, switch to a visitor visa or qualify for a Temporary Resident Permit, depending on their situation.

TFWs with a pending application for an extension to an initial work permit, and have lost their jobs, are advised to take the same steps as above.

TFWs on open work permits who have lost their jobs are advised to do the same, although the guidance points out that they are free to search for a new job.

All three categories of TFW mentioned above may qualify for financial assistance through Quebec’s Temporary Aid For Workers Program, as well as similar federal programs.

Applicants for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) who have accumulated the required year of full-time experience, but lost their job due to COVID-19, have been told that they must be employed when submitting an application.

The year of experience accumulated will likely still count towards their application, as the PEQ requires 12 months of work experience in the last 24 months. It means that once they find another job, they are eligible to apply for the PEQ, provided their work experience is in the last 24 months.

Applicants for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) who had not accumulated the required year of full-time experience, but lost their job due to COVID-19, can still count the time worked towards their application.

They can submit their application once they have resumed employment and accumulated 12 months of full-time work in Quebec in the previous 24 months.

Quebec Guidance For International students

Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration guidance for international students applying for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) is that requests for temporary selection are still being processed.

“Temporary residents must maintain a valid temporary immigration status at all times,” the guidance says.

For international students who have had their course suspended and were working towards a diploma to submit a Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) application, the MIFI guidance simply clarified the program requirements.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate university degree, a diploma of technical college studies, or a diploma of vocational studies at the secondary level which, alone or with a certificate of professional specialization obtained consecutively, certifies 1,800 hours or more of continuous training and leads to a given trade.

French Courses Suspended

Quebec has also suspended all full-time and part-time French courses currently offered in educational institutions and through community organizations.

Allowances as part of the Financial Assistance Program for the Francization of Immigrants (PAFILI) will continue to be paid until the end of the course suspension for full-time students and until the end of the current session for part-time students.

The reception of the Direction of the Registrar of Francization located on the second floor of 1200, Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal is closed until further notice.

Those who had appointments will be contacted. Documents can be sent by mail or dropped in the document deposit box located on the ground floor of 1200, Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal.

Information and integration sessions for newcomers are also suspended until further notice. All Journées Quebec recruitment missions are also suspended.