Quebec Experience Program (PEQ): Your Pathway To Quebec Immigration

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), known as Programme de l’expérience québécoise in French, is a unique fast-track Canadian immigration program.

It offers a streamlined path to permanent residency in Quebec for individuals who have either studied or worked in the province. This program aims to process applications swiftly, with the goal of completing the process within six months.

Significance:

Launched in 2010.
Over 70,000 selection certificates issued until 2019.
Revised in 2019 for improved program effectiveness.

Advantages of the PEQ:

Ideal for French-speaking individuals.
Swift application processing (within six months).
Prioritizes Quebec-educated graduates and residents.
Aligned with Quebec’s labor market needs.
Provides a streamlined path to permanent residency.

How the PEQ Immigration Process Works

Depending on your situation, you can apply under one of the two streams of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ):

1. Temporary Foreign Workers

Show intention to settle in Quebec for employment.
Have temporary residence in Quebec for work purposes.
Accumulate at least 24 months of full-time work experience in Quebec within the past 36 months in a 0, A, or B level job.
Hold legal status in Quebec as a temporary worker or under a youth exchange program.
Be currently employed.

2. Québec Graduates

Express intention to settle in Quebec for employment.
Temporarily resided in Quebec for educational purposes.
Possess an eligible degree or diploma from a recognized Quebec educational institution within the last 36 months.
Studied in Quebec for a minimum of 1,800 hours (equivalent to two years).
Hold a Masters, Bachelors, or DEC diploma and possess 12 months of work experience in a 0, A, B level job, with ongoing employment in such a role at the time of application.
Hold a DEP and have 18 months of work experience in a 0, A, B, or C level job, with an ongoing job requirement. (Note: C level work must relate to the degree.)

Transitional Measures

For those affected by changes introduced in 2020:

Eligibility requirements introduced on July 22, 2020, may have transitional measures that allow you to apply under previous requirements if you meet certain criteria.
These criteria include obtaining an eligible degree before December 31, 2020, or being in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker on July 21, 2020, with valid work authorization.
Language proficiency requirements also have transitional measures for common-law spouses or partners in these situations.

Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec may be eligible for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:

Intend to settle in Quebec for work.
Have temporary work experience in Quebec for at least 24 months within the past 36 months in a 0, A, or B level job.
Hold legal status in Quebec as a temporary worker or under a youth exchange program.
Are employed at the time of application.

Language Requirements

Temporary Foreign Workers must demonstrate French proficiency through a standardized language test or meet specific education or professional order language requirements.

Full-time Work Experience for PEQ

The MIFI considers a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week as full-time employment. Only full-time work experience is considered; part-time, self-employed, or entrepreneurial work does not qualify.

Eligibility Criteria for Quebec Graduates

Foreign students who have studied in Quebec may be eligible for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:

Express intention to settle in Quebec for work.
Temporarily resided in Quebec for educational purposes.
Hold an eligible degree or diploma from a recognized Quebec educational institution within the last 36 months.
Studied in Quebec for a minimum of 1,800 hours (equivalent to two years).
Hold a Masters, Bachelors, or DEC diploma and possess 12 months of work experience in a 0, A, B level job, with ongoing employment in such a role at the time of application.
Hold a DEP and have 18 months of work experience in a 0, A, B, or C level job, with an ongoing job requirement. (Note: C level work must relate to the degree.)

Application Process

As of January 2021, PEQ candidates must follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose the appropriate permanent selection application form based on your situation.
Step 2: Compile the supporting documents listed in the application form.
Step 3: Create a profile on the Arrima platform.
Step 4: Submit your complete application package for permanent selection through Arrima.
Step 5: Pay the processing fees.

Processing Times

The typical processing period for permanent selection applications under the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) is approximately 6 months.

The processing time begins when the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec (Ministry) receives your application. Make sure it is complete and contains:

Your application for permanent selection;
Your supporting documents;
The payment of the fees required to process your application.

If your application is incomplete or if you are required to attend an interview, the processing time could be longer.

Conclusion

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) offers a fast-track route to permanent residency in Quebec for individuals who have studied or worked in the province.

With its streamlined processing and unique eligibility criteria, the PEQ is an attractive option for those looking to make Quebec their permanent home.