Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

Overview

As an applicant, you must meet the general conditions to obtain a CSQ. Here are the general conditions that you must meet:

• You must legally reside in Quebec at the time of applying.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have the intention to stay in Quebec for business purposes over a company that you do not have the right to exercise legal or de facto control over.
• You must be proficient in spoken French, at least a level seven (7) according to the Quebec scale of measurement.
• You must be proficient in written French, at least a level five (5)  according to the Quebec scale of measurement.
• If your common-law partner or spouse accompanies you, they must demonstrate knowledge of spoken French, at least at level 4 according to the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
• You must be financially capable of taking care of your needs and those of your accompanying family members.

You must also meet the specific conditions for any of the streams you choose.  There are two streams of the PEQ. They are:

• The Temporary Foreign Workers Stream
• The Quebec graduates stream.

Conditions for the Temporary Foreign Worker Stream

• You must hold a temporary foreign worker permit, a youth exchange program permit, a working holiday permit, a young professional permit, or an international co-op internship.
• You must have full-time paid job experience in the province of Quebec, with a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Your job must be listed in the National Occupational Classification.
• Your job must not be an ineligible one, such as employment from payday loans, cheque cashing or the production of sexual products and services.

Conditions for Quebec Graduates

• You must have an acceptable degree. A diploma in vocational or technical training, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a Ph.D. is usually accepted.
• You must have completed your program at least 36 weeks before submitting your application.
• You must have studied a full-time diploma at any of the Quebec educational institutions.
• You must have completed a full-time program (secondary or post-secondary) in French from either Quebec or any other country, or 75 per cent of your course credits were completed in French.
• You must have stayed in Quebec for at least half the time of your study program.

Overview

Here are the steps to follow if applying for permanent selection through the PEQ.

Step 1: Complete the First and Second Parts of the Application Form

You must fill in all necessary details on the form in French, whether applying through the graduate stream program or the temporary worker stream. The form must be signed and dated. You can find the application form on the Quebec immigration website.  After completing the form, you must attach your supporting documents.

Step 2: Attach Your Supporting Documents to the Application Form

Attach all requested supportive documents as indicated in part two of the form. Make a coloured scan of all your original documents and save them in PDF format. submit to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration. If your document has multiple pages, scan them and combine them into a single PDF file.

Step 3: Create an Arrima Account

Create your account on the Arrima platform in French. If you already have an account, you can sign in.  Submit your permanent selection application after completing the necessary steps, including the required supporting documents. Arrima will send an acknowledgement message to your email and message centre on the platform.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

You must pay the application fee for yourself and other accompanying family members. You can pay by credit card. The application fee is non-refundable.

Step 5: Obtaining the Quebec Attestation 

The Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration will send you a request to obtain an attestation for learning about democratic and the Quebec values. After receiving the request, you have 60 days to acquire the attestation. Eligible accompanying family members must obtain an attestation of their eligibility. These include spouses aged 16 or older and children aged 18 or older.

You can obtain the attestation online or by attending the Objectif Immigration information session. Individuals who fail the online assessment can attend the session, where instructors will educate them about Canadian values, cultural and democratic norms, and the work environment in Quebec.

Step 6: Await the Decision

The Quebec immigration authorities will review your application after you have submitted it. When a decision has been made, the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) will send you and your accompanying family members a Quebec selection certificate and inform you of the subsequent steps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the PEQ Applications

The following are some common mistakes to avoid when applying permanent selection through the PEQ.

• Incomplete Application:  You have a high chance of getting your application attended to if it’s complete. An incomplete application may include one that is missing a mandatory document or an improperly completed application form. A complete application contains a permanent selection application, all required supporting documents and the application fee payment.
• Failure to Attend the Interview if Requested: You may be asked to attend an interview if further information is required from you. If requested, it is important to honour the interview so your application can be processed.

• Submitting the application for the wrong stream: Both streams of the PEQ have their own application form, which contains parts 1 and 2. The forms are available on the Quebec immigration website. Depending on the stream to which you wish to apply, it is essential to complete the form specific to that stream, as each contains unique information required for a successful application.
• Submitting Your Documents in the Wrong Format: All documents must be Submitted in the requested format. You may be asked to submit a coloured photocopy or an original scanned document. The format requested must be followed.
• Submitting to the Wrong Source: Your application must be submitted to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francization et de l’Intégration for it to be processed.
• Submitting an Application for a Program for Which You Are Not Eligible: Some applicants submit applications without meeting the requirements or conditions. To get a permanent selection via the PEQ, you must meet the conditions for the program you are applying to.

Overview

The Quebec Experience Program is open to foreign workers with work experience in the province that can improve the province’s labour sector and economy. The Quebec Experience Program for foreign workers is for jobs on TEERs 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.

TEER 0 jobs are management occupations, such as human resources managers or financial managers. TEER 1 jobs include those that require a university degree, such as those in healthcare and finance. Jobs in the NOC TEER 2 require a college diploma or an apprenticeship training lasting at least two years as the minimum qualification. They include administrative support and healthcare support jobs.

TEER 3 jobs are those that require less than a two-year college diploma or apprenticeship training, or more than six months of on-the-job training. These jobs include nurses’ aids, dental assistants, and truck drivers. Obtaining a CSQ through the PEQ means that you are compliant with Quebec immigration policies, and this will help facilitate your integration into the province’s labour market.

Integration Support for Foreign Workers and Graduates in Quebec

The province of Quebec provides integration support for immigrants. If you are a PEQ applicant, you can benefit from this integration support to help facilitate the process. Here are some of them.

Accompagnement Québec 

Accompagnement Québec is a government-supported, personalized service designed to facilitate your integration into the province. You will have access to official agents who will create an action plan tailored to your immediate needs once you are registered.

You will be able to register once you have obtained the Quebec selection certificate. The integration agents can direct you to other organizations that will help facilitate your settlement.

Official Government Settlement Guide 

You can study the Quebec immigration settlement guide to help with your integration into the province. The guide contains general information about Quebec. You can learn about its key values, housing, transportation, education, healthcare, employment, and further federal immigration steps.

Official French Language Courses 

Once you have obtained your Quebec selection certificate, you can apply to improve your French language skills at your own pace. The Quebec government provides these courses at no cost. You will meet top tutors who will teach you essential aspects of the language.

Qualification Support 

The Quebec Government provides support to demonstrate your educational and professional qualifications obtained abroad to Canadian employers in Quebec. This qualification support allows you to apply for financial assistance if your profession is eligible.

Overview

The PGWP is a federal government program that provides a temporary work permit, allowing you to work in Quebec after completing your studies as an international student, even if you have no prior work experience. One benefit of obtaining a PGWP is that your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit.

You can obtain a post-graduation work permit if your program and school are eligible. You can check the Canadian immigration website to see if you qualify for a PGWP. The Work Permit duration depends on the length of your program or your passport expiry date, whichever comes first.  Here are some of the eligibility criteria:

• You can obtain a PGWP if your program is eligible and lasted at least 900 hours.
• You were a full-time student during the duration of your study. (You are still eligible if you studied part-time in your final year)
• You must apply within 180 days of confirming that you have completed your program.
• You are eligible to apply for a PGWP if your study permit is valid after 180 days of graduation.
• You are eligible if you can provide proof, such as an official letter or transcript from your school in Quebec, that confirms your successful completion of your program of study.

Application Process and Required Documentation for a PGWP

You can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit online by following the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

Prepare all necessary documents. Here are some of the mandatory documents required:

• Proof that you have completed your studies, such as an official letter, degree, diploma, or transcript
• Results of a language proficiency test
• Application fee payment receipts

Step 2: Complete the Application Form. 

You must submit a complete form for a PGWP. You must include all required documents and the application fee of  [generator shortcode=”ca-work_permit” . You can find the application form on the Canada immigration website.

Step 3: Get Your Biometrics Taken

If you are between the ages of 14 and 79, you must submit your fingerprints and photos once you receive an approval letter. Your biometrics fee must also be paid.

Step 4: Submit the Application and Await the Decision

Submit your application and wait for a decision. The IRCC will typically take 188 days to process your application. You can work in Canada while the IRCC is processing your PGWP if you apply before your Study Permit expires and are eligible to work off-campus without a permit during your studies.

You cannot renew a Post-Graduation Work Permit. However, you can explore other options that let you stay in Quebec. These include applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment-based Work Permit, Spousal Work Permit, or applying for the PEQ under the Foreign Worker Stream if you are eligible.