Quebec Experience Program

Foreign nationals who wish to permanently reside in Quebec may apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) with the Ministère de l’immigration, de la diversité et de l’inclusion (Immigration Quebec). This program is geared toward individuals who have proven that they are well-suited for integration into Quebec society, either through prior skilled work experience in Quebec, or through completion of education in Quebec. Unlike the Quebec Skilled Worker program, the PEQ is not a points-based system, and does not take into account the characteristics of a foreign national’s spouse. However, a pre-requisite for both streams, is that one must demonstrate an advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French language skills.

The PEQ has two streams: 

  1. Skilled Temporary Foreign Workers 
  2. Quebec Graduates

Skilled Temporary Foreign Workers

A foreign national intending to apply for a CSQthrough the Skilled Temporary Foreign Workers stream must demonstrate that they: 

  • Are legally residing in Quebec at the time of application;
  • Have the intention of settling in Quebec to hold employment;
  • Have lived temporarily in Quebec with the primary goal of working and have respected the conditions of his or her stay;
  • Are legally in Quebec as a skilled temporary foreign worker or under a youth exchange program (for example, through a Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship permit);
  • Have occupied a full-time position at the management, professional or technical level (National Occupational Classification (NOC) levels O, A or B) for at least 12 of the 24 months preceding the submission of his or her application;
  • Occupy a full-time position at the management, professional or technical level at the time of submission of the application; and
  • Have an advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French (level B2 or higher in speaking and listening).

A foreign national is ineligible to the be principal applicant in this stream if he or she obtained their current work permit as an accompanying dependent of a study or work permit holder in Quebec. 

Quebec Graduates Stream

A foreign national intending to apply for a CSQthrough the Quebec Graduates stream must demonstrate that they:

  • Are legally residing in Quebec at the time of application;
  • Have the intention of settling in Quebec to hold employment;
  • Have lived temporarily in Quebec with the primary goal of studying and have respected the conditions of his or her stay;
  • Have lived in Quebec for at least half of the duration of his or her study program;
  • Hold an eligible Quebec diploma or expect to complete his or her study program within six months of the date of submission of the application; and
  • Have an advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French (level B2 or higher in speaking and listening).

It is important to note that a foreign national is ineligible for this stream if:

  • They hold a bursary that requires him or her to return to their home country, unless that condition has already been fulfilled;
  • They have started a new study program in Quebec; or
  • More than 36 months have elapsed between the time they completed his or her study program in Quebec and the date on which he or she submitted an application for a CSQ. 

Only once the CSQ is issued by Immigration Quebec, a candidate can then submit their application for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Immigration Canada).  Immigration Canada will be responsible for assessing medical and criminal admissibility, and will issue the Confirmation of Permanent Residence.