Quebec Experience Program

What is the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is an immigration program designed for individuals who have studied or worked in Quebec and wish to settle in the province permanently.

The PEQ streamlines the immigration process, providing eligible candidates with a clear pathway to obtain their Certificat de sélection du Québec (Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

The CSQ is a document issued by Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration, or MIFI) which states that the recipient is selected to apply for permanent residency in Quebec.

The PEQ is an attractive option for individuals who have already built a life in Quebec and wish to continue contributing to the province’s cultural, social, and economic fabric.

How Can I be Eligible to Apply for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

To be eligible to apply for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), candidates must meet specific criteria based on their status as temporary foreign workers or Quebec graduates. Let’s explore the eligibility criteria for temporary foreign workers and Quebec graduates in detail.

PEQ Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Foreign Workers

To be eligible as a temporary foreign worker for PEQ under general conditions, you must:

• Respect the conditions of your stay,
• Demonstrate your intentions to settle and work in Quebec,
• Prove that you’re 18 years or older,
• Show your oral fluency in French is equal to level 7 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes (The Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels of Adult Immigrants),
• Be a legal resident of Quebec when submitting your application, and
• Prove that you’re financially self-sufficient.

Please Note

If you bring your spouse with you to permanently settle in Quebec, their fluency in oral French must be equivalent to level 4 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes (The Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels of Adult Immigrants).

Your legal residency in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker must be facilitated under a work permit such as the:

• Working Holiday Visa,
• Young Professionals, and
• International Co-op Internship.

The work experience you gained as a temporary foreign worker in Quebec must be for a job which:

• Corresponds to a Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) level 0, 1, and 2,
• Performed under legal conditions,
• Is full-time (at least 30 hours paid work per week), and
• For remunerative work.

Please Note

You must ensure that the work experience you submit was gained in the last 36 months (3 years) before you applied.

PEQ Eligibility Criteria for Quebec Graduates

For Quebec graduates seeking to apply for the PEQ, the program offers a pathway to permanent residency based on their educational achievements and ties to the province. To be eligible to apply as a Quebec graduate, you must:

• Meet the general conditions eligibility requirements also set for temporary foreign workers,
• Have an eligible diploma,
• Gain at least 12 months of eligible work experience in Quebec after graduating in a job corresponding to TEER levels 0,1,2, and
• Reside in Quebec for half the period of your studies.

To apply, you must ensure that the diploma you received is eligible for submission to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Eligible diplomas include:

• An Undergraduate bachelors degree,
• A Masters degree (MBAs included),
• Doctoral degrees (Ph.Ds, DThs, LLDs, etc.),
• College diplomas,
• Vocational studies diploma (attesting to 1, 800 hours), and
• Vocational diploma with attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) of 1, 800 hours.

Please Note

You must have received your diploma in 36 months (3 years) before submitting your application. Your diploma must have been for a full-time study program and awarded by a designated learning institution (DLI) in Quebec.

Steps to Apply for Permanent Selection Using the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

Once you have determined your eligibility for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) as a temporary foreign worker or Quebec graduate, the next step is to navigate the application process for permanent selection. This involves the following steps.

Step 1: Complete the 2-Part Permanent Selection Application Form

If you’re a Temporary foreign worker, you can apply using the Demande de sélection permanente Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Travailleur étranger temporaire form.

If you’re a Québec graduate, use the Demande de sélection permanente Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Diplômé du Québec form to apply.

Please Note

You must ensure to keep and sign all forms and declarations you submit to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.

Step 2: Gather the Required Supporting Documents

In preparation for your PEQ application, gathering all the supporting documents that substantiate your eligibility and qualifications is crucial. These documents include but are not limited to:

• Proof of work experience for temporary foreign workers (payslips, bank statements, etc.),
• Identification documents (birth or marriage certificates etc.),
• Academic transcripts for Quebec graduates, and
• Language proficiency (International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) test results.

Ensuring that you have a comprehensive set of supporting documents is essential for a smooth and efficient application process.

Step 3: Create An Account on the Arrima Platform

As part of the PEQ application process, candidates are required to create an account on the Arrima platform, which serves as the central hub for managing immigration applications to Quebec.

Through the Arrima platform, you can submit your permanent selection application, track the status of your application, and communicate with immigration authorities regarding any additional documentation or information required.

Step 4: Submit Your Permanent Selection Application in Arrima

To submit a completed application, you must ensure to:

• Gather and submit information on family members included in your application;
• Upload your permanent selection application form along with your supporting documents,
• Pay the application fee of 201,39 CAD (for a single applicant) and 257,15 CAD (for a spouse or dependant child),
• Submit your completed application file.

To confirm receipt of your application, you can check the Arrima message center.

Step 5: After Submitting Your Permanent Selection Application

Following the submission of your permanent selection application through the PEQ, you can track the progress of your application by staying informed about:

PEQ Processing Times

The processing times for applications submitted through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) can vary based on various factors, including the volume of applications received, the completeness of the submitted documentation, and the specific circumstances of individual candidates.

However, most applications for permanent selection in the PEQ are processed within six months. If you submitted an incomplete application or are required to attend an interview, the processing time for your permanent selection application can be longer.

PEQ Attestation

When your application is processed, you will receive a request from the Minister of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration instructing you to obtain an attestation of learning about Qeubec’s democratic values. You can view this request on your Arrima message center.

You have 60 days to obtain the attestation, including any family members included in your application.

What Should I Do After Receiving the Certificat de sélection du Québec?

Once you have received your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), you must apply for permanent residence in Canada. After this, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of your permanent residence application from the IRCC.

Please Note

If you have not submitted a permanent residence application, you may submit a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt, employer-specific work permit application to the Government of Canada. In this case, you must receive a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ – Québec Acceptation Certificate).

Going From Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Status (TR to PR)

You must make changes to certain documents when going from temporary resident to permanent resident status in Canada. These changes include:

Social Insurance Number for Quebec,Canada

You must obtain a permanent Social Insurance Number (SIN) when you obtain permanent residence. Find out more about how to apply for a SIN.

Health Insurance Card for Quebec

You must file a new application for a health insurance card with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) by presenting the documents relating to your new permanent residency status.

Driver’s licence

To be authorized to drive in Quebec, you have to obtain a Quebec driver’s license. You must take note that you’re able to continue using your foreign driver’s license in Québec for up to 6 months after the day you were selected for permanent residency in Quebec.

FAQs

Can I Use a Representative to Submit My PEQ Permanent Selection Application?

Yes, candidates applying for permanent selection through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) have the option to use a representative to assist with the submission of their application. Representatives, such as immigration consultants or lawyers, can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the application process, ensuring that your submissions are accurate, complete, and in line with the program’s requirements.

What Steps Can I Take to Integrate into Quebec?

To ensure your smooth transition and integration into Quebec after receiving your Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate), you can:

• Register for Accompagnement Québec,
• View the Settle and integrate in Québec guide,
• Register for Quebec government-approved online French courses to improve your fluency in French,
• Begin the process of getting your competencies acquired abroad validated and recognized. Eg getting your educational credentials assessed by an approved Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) organization.

What is the Arrima Platform?

Arrima is a universally accessible online portal used by Quebec Immigration to administer and manage prospective immigration applications to the province. Applicants create and submit profiles and an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the Arrima platform for consideration under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

As an eligible applicant, you’ll be issued a score and ranked within Arrima’s pool of candidates. The Arrima platform was created with the intent to speed up the processing of applications and better align foreign immigrants to the needs of Quebec’s labor market.