Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)- TWA

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The PEQ is an accelerated selection program for skilled workers who wish to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec selection certificate) with a view to becoming permanent residents.

PEQ stands for Programme de l’Expérience Québécoise (PEQ – Québec Experience Program). The program is intended for Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers who meet certain conditions, such as demonstrating advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French.

The Québec Experience Program does not use a selection grid and does not take into account the characteristics of the spouse or de facto spouse. You are considered to be a de facto spouse if you are living in a de facto union. The term “de facto union” refers to two people who live together as a couple without being married.

If you hold a post-graduation work permit, you may apply for permanent selection as a Quebec graduate or temporary foreign worker based on the selection conditions that are the most advantageous for you, using the appropriate form.

There Are 2 Program Options:

Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Quebec graduates
Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Temporary Foreign Workers

Québec Graduate Conditions

You must meet all the conditions of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec Experience Program) when you submit your application for permanent selection. You must:

Intend to settle in Quebec to hold a job;
Have stayed temporarily in Quebec for the primary purpose of studying and have respected the conditions of your stay;
Have stayed in Quebec for at least half the duration of your study program;
Hold an eligible Quebec diploma;
Demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French;
Undertake to provide for your basic needs and, where applicable, those of your spouse or de facto spouse and dependent children included in your application for permanent selection, for a minimum period of three months; and
Be at least 18 years old, hold a valid passport and, if you are applying from Québec, be legally in Québec at the time of application.

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.

Temporary Foreign Workers Program Conditions

You must meet all the conditions of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise when you submit your application for permanent selection:

Intend to settle in Québec to take up employment;
Have stayed temporarily in Québec for the main purpose of working there and have respected the conditions of your stay;
Be legally in Québec as a temporary foreign worker or as part of a youth exchange program (for example, through a Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship permit);
Have been employed full-time for at least 12 of the 24 months preceding the submission of your application and still hold that same job at the time of your application;
Demonstrate knowledge of spoken French at the intermediate or advanced level;
Commit to providing for your essential needs and, if applicable, those of your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children included in your Québec Certificate of Selection (CSQ) application, for at least three months; and
Be at least 18 years old and hold a valid passport.

If you hold an eligible Québec diploma, you can also apply to the Programme de l’expérience québécoise – Québec Graduates, if the selection conditions are more advantageous for you.

You Are Not Eligible for the PEQ If:

You hold a bursary with a clause requiring a return to your country (unless you have already fulfilled this condition);
You have started a new study program in Québec; or
More than 36 months have elapsed between the time you completed your study program in Québec and the date you submitted your application for permanent selection.