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Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is an accelerated selection program for international Quebec graduates and temporary foreign skilled workers who wish to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate) with a view to becoming permanent residents in Canada. 

 

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) Overview

Quebec Experience Program is also knows as Programme de l’Expérience Québécoise (PEQ). The program is designed for Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers who meet certain conditions, such as demonstrating advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French, to remain in the province and contribute to its economy. 

The PEQ is a popular immigration pathway for international graduates and temporary foreign workers to settle in Quebec and build their careers in the province. However, it is important to note that the program has undergone changes in recent years, such as changes to eligibility criteria and processing times. Thus, it is crucial to stay up to date on the latest information from the government of Quebec. 

There are 2 streams of the Quebec Experience Program: 

  1. Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Quebec Graduates
  2. Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Temporary Foreign Workers

 

Quebec Experience Program – Québec Graduates: Conditions

To be eligible for the Quebec Graduates stream, you must fulfill both the program’s general requirements and specific conditions for this stream. 

 

Quebec Graduates: General Conditions

  • You have respected the conditions of your stay.
  • You intend to settle in Quebec to take up employment. 
  • You are aged 18 or older.
  • You can demonstrate your knowledge of oral French is equivalent to Level 7 or above.
  • You are legally in Quebec at the time of application.
  • You are financially self-sufficient.

 

Quebec Graduates: Specific Conditions

To qualify for the Québec Graduate stream of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program), you have to meet the following requirements:

  • Have completed an eligible diploma.
  • Have gained eligible work experience in Quebec following your graduation.
  • Have resided in Quebec for at least half of the duration of your study program. 

 

Quebec Graduates: Eligible Diplomas

The diplomas below are eligible for the Quebec Graduate stream of the PEQ.

  • Bachelor’s degree (university undergraduate)
  • Master’s degree (including an MBA)
  • Ph.D.
  • Diploma of College Studies, Technical Training (DCS)
  • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) attesting to 1,800 hours or more of study
  • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) followed by an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS) of 1,800 hours or more of continuing education leading to a given trade

Only the above-mentioned types of diplomas are eligible for the PEQ.

Moreover, you must have obtained your diploma by meeting the following criteria:

  • Within the 36 months prior to submitting your application.
  • Through a full-time study program.
  • At an educational institution located in Quebec. 

 

Quebec Graduates: Work Experience

The required work experience for the PEQ depends on the type of diploma you obtained. 

If you have completed a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) of 1,800 hours or more of training, either alone or with an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS), you must have work experience that meets the following criteria:

  • At least 18 months of full-time work experience after finishing your study program.
  • In a job at level 0, A, B or C of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). (Although NOC2016 has switched to NOC2021, the Quebec government has not yet changed the NOC description of PEQ on their websites.) 
  • At the time of application, you must hold a full-time job at 1 of the following NOC levels:
    • If your job is at level 0, A or B, it does not need to be related to your study program.
    • If your job is at level C, it must be connected to the DVS you obtained in Quebec. For further details, refer to Inforoute, select your study program from the directory, and navigate to the Targeted Professions section.  

For all other PEQ-eligible diplomas, you must have the following work experience:

  • At least 12 months of full-time paid work experience after completing your study program.
  • In a job at level 0, A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
  • At the time of application, you must hold a full-time job at the same NOC level as your previous work experience. This job does not have to be related to your study program.

If you completed a mandatory internship for your study program, your work experience may be recognized if you received a work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

  • If you completed a full-time internship, your experience can be acknowledged for a maximum of 3 months.
  • If you completed a part-time internship, the recognized period will match its full-time equivalent. 

If you have had breaks in your work experience, you may still be eligible if you had full-time employment. 

 

Quebec Graduates: Tips

After completing your studies, you can obtain a post-graduation work permit from IRCC which enables you to work for multiple employers. Moreover, you can also secure a job with a Quebec-based employer and obtain a work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. 

If you hold a post-graduation work permit, you can apply under the PEQ as a temporary foreign worker if the selection conditions are more advantageous for you.

 

Quebec Experience Program – Temporary Foreign Workers: Conditions

To be eligible for the temporary foreign workers stream, you must fulfill both the program’s general requirements and specific conditions for this stream. 

 

Temporary Foreign Workers: General Conditions

  • You have respected the conditions of your stay.
  • You intend to settle in Quebec to take up employment. 
  • You are aged 18 or older.
  • You can demonstrate your knowledge of oral French is equivalent to Level 7 or above.
  • You are legally in Quebec at the time of application.
  • You are financially self-sufficient.
  • If you have your spouse or de-facto spouse who is accompanying you, your spouse or de-facto spouse must have knowledge of oral French equivalent to Level 4. 

 

Temporary Foreign Workers: Specific Conditions

To qualify, you must have legal status in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker or be in the province under a youth exchange program, which includes:

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

 

Temporary Foreign Workers: Work Experience

In order to meet the requirements for the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec Experience Program), your employment history must meet the following criteria:

  • Correspond to a professional at skill level 0, A or B of the National Occupational Classification. (Although NOC2016 has switched to NOC2021, the Quebec government has not yet changed the NOC description of PEQ on their websites.) 
  • Have been performed legally.
  • Be full-time with a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week.
  • Have been paid.

To be eligible for the program, you must currently hold a job that meets these criteria and have worked in such a position for at least 24 of the 36 months prior to submitting your application. 

Part-time work periods are not considered for PEQ eligibility. However, if you have had breaks in your work experience, you may still be eligible if you had full-time employment.