Quebec

Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Québec experience program – Students

Are you in the process of obtaining or have already obtained a Québec diploma, and you would like to settle in Québec permanently?

The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Québec experience program could facilitate your immigration to Québec.

The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Québec experience program is for you if you are a foreign student who is a Québec graduate or a temporary foreign worker. It allows you to obtain a Québec selection certificate to settle in Québec permanently.

This is how to apply for permanent residence in Quebec/Canada if you are an international student (even without a job offer in the province of Quebec).

You must meet all the selection conditions for the Québec experience program (PEQ) when you submit your application. If you do not, your application will be refused.

WHO CAN APPLY:

Candidates must obtain and provide their diploma (or an attestation of successful completion as well as the transcript of their final grades) in order to submit an application.

You must meet both the general conditions of the program as well as the specific conditions for the Québec graduate stream.

General conditions

For this program you must prove that:

Have stayed temporarily in Québec for the primary purpose of studying and you have respected the conditions of your stay in Quebec/Canada,
you have intention to settle in Québec to hold a job,
you are 18 years of age or older,
you have knowledge of oral French equivalent to Level 7 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes,
you are legally in Québec at the time of application,
you are financially self-sufficient.

Your de facto spouse or spouse who is accompanying you must have knowledge of oral French equivalent to Level 4 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes.

You are not eligible for the PEQ if:

You have a bursary with a return to your country clause, unless you have already fulfilled this condition
You have started a new study program in Québec
You have stayed in Québec for less than half the duration of your study program.

Conditions of the graduate stream

To be selected for the Québec Graduate stream of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Québec experience program, you must:

Have obtained an eligible diploma
Have obtained eligible work experience in Québec following your study program
Have stayed in Québec for at least half the duration of your study program

Eligible diplomas

Diplomas eligible for the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Québec experience program are:

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

No other type of diploma is eligible for the PEQ.

You must have obtained your diploma:

In the 36 months (3 years) preceding the submission of your application
In a full-time study program
In an education institution in Québec

Work experience (National Occupational Classification)

The required work experience varies depending on the type of diploma you obtained.

If you have obtained a DVS of 1,800 hours or more of training, alone or with an AVS, you must have obtained work experience:

Of at least 18 months after the end of your study program
Full-time in a job at level 0, A, B or C of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)

To be eligible, you must also hold a full-time job at one of the following NOC levels when you submit your application:

If your job is at level 0, A or B, it does not have to be related to your study program
If your job is level C, it must be related to the DVS you obtained in Québec. For more information, visit Inforoute. Select the title of your study program from its directory and look for the Targeted professions section.

For all other PEQ-eligible diplomas, you must have gained paid work experience after completing your study program:

Of at least 12 months
Full-time
In a job at level 0, A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

To be eligible, you must also hold a full-time job at the same NOC level 0, A or B when you submit your application.

This job does not have to be related to your study program.

Work experience you acquired during a mandatory internship for your study program may be recognized.

To do so, you must have received a work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

For a full-time internship, your experience may be recognized for a maximum of three months.
For a part-time internship, the recognized period corresponds to its full-time equivalent.

Work experience that is not continuous can be considered in your application if it was full time.

Obtaining or renewing your work permit

To hold a job after graduation, you may obtain a post-graduation work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (no need for LMIA). This permit allows you to work for different employers and in different occupations.

You can also be hired by a Québec employer and obtain a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (in this case an LMIA will be needed).

Accompanying spouse

Your de facto spouse or spouse who is accompanying you must have knowledge of oral French equivalent to Level 4 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes.

Under certain conditions, your accompanying spouse may obtain an open work permit in order to work.

If you have a work permit for an accompanying spouse, you can also submit an application as part for the PEQ as a principal applicant.

Selection interview

You may be required to complete an interview with an immigration counsellor to verify, for example, the accuracy of the information provided in your application for permanent selection.

If so, you will receive a notice specifying the:

date of the interview;
location of the interview;
time of the interview.

The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration may also conduct additional verification and request additional information or documents.

Attestation of learning about democratic values and the Québec values

When your application is processed, you will receive a request from the Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration to obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and the Québec values (attestation). This request will be sent to your Arrima message centre.

You will then have 60 days to obtain the attestation. The members of your family included in your application (spouse aged 16 and over and dependent children aged 18 and over) must also obtain the attestation within this period. Otherwise, your application will be rejected.

You will not receive this application if you and your family have already obtained your attestation.

JOB OFFER:
No job offer needed however you must hold a job at the time you submit your application.

EMPLOYER:
No employer information needed

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Online application – As of January 26, 2021, all permanent selection applications for the PEQ are made on the Arrima platform.

When to apply

As a Québec graduate, you can apply to the PEQ not later than 36 months after receiving your diploma.

If you are a Québec graduate and have held a job, e.g., under a post-graduation work permit, you can apply to the PEQ as a temporary foreign worker, as long as you meet the other conditions. However, be sure to use the appropriate form.

APPLICATION FEE:
Principal applicant $844
Spouse or de facto spouse $181
Each dependent child $181
When you receive your Certificat de sélection du Québec and apply for PR Canadian federal government will ask you to pay new processing fees for PR application.

APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME:
Complete applications will be processed within six months.
If your application is approved you will receive your Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate) and after that you will be able to apply for permanent resident status in Canada/Quebec.

CONTACT:

Montréal area: 514 864-9191
Elsewhere in Québec (toll free): 1 877 864-9191
Outside Québec: + 1 514 864-9191

For complete and up to date information and detailed program requirements always check the official web page of the program.

Page last updated on March 06, 2022.