The Quebec Experience program is an immigration pathway that allows students and skilled workers from all over the world to come to Quebec and live there as Canadian permanent residents. This is a very popular program, and some years see that the majority of permanent residents who immigrate to Quebec come to the province through the PEQ program – the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (The Canadian Experience Program – French).

Joining this program and getting a permanent residence is a two-step process. First of all, you must be eligible to receive the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ – Certificat de sélection du Québe). Then, you need to apply for the permanent residence. The permanent selection is done based on criminal or health admissibility (or inadmissibility). The selection conditions may vary depending on the country that you are coming from, and some additional requirements may be needed, but as long as you have no criminal record and are healthy, you can expect to be accepted with no issues.

What Is the Quebec Experience Program?

The Quebec permanent residency is an immigration goal for many, and the Quebec Experience problem allows you to get there. When it comes to the immigration professionals, this is a program that keeps them busy – as almost half (and sometimes even more) of total immigrants to Quebec come here through this program.

When it comes to the applicants that the program is intended for, it is meant to allow skilled temporary workers in the province of Quebec and foreign students in graduate or post-graduate studies to file for the certificate. The official application is then considered, the CSQ certificate issued and you can then apply for the Canada PR with the Federal Government. If all goes well, you can be accepted into Canada as a permanent resident in 1-2 years, depending on the mode of your application.

The two goal groups of immigrants (the students and the workers) represent two different streams: the International Student Stream and the Foreign Worker Stream. You will need to have a valid work permit to apply and you must have a diploma eligible for the program. The selection criteria are not 100% transparent, and they may change based on the successful completion of the previous draws of the program applicants and the current labour market needs in the province of Quebec.

Quebec Experience Program Application

How to get PR in Quebec? Well, you cannot. The Canadian PR is only issued by the federal government and it is clear that these two need not be confused. While the province of Quebec can issue to CSQ certificate, it is the government on the federal level that will need to decide on whether you receive the PR or not.

However, having received the certificate is a necessary step and a big plus when it comes to getting the PR. The official application means that your full-time work experience, French language proficiency, and all other requirements will be considered for you to receive the certificate. With this in mind, as the certificate already means that you have gotten up the immigration ladder to an extent, the rest should be all good.

If you are applying for the CSQ, you will need to show that you possess a high level of language ability. Advanced-Intermediate Level in French Proficiency is usually required, and you can prove this through:

  • Approved language tests:
    • TEF – Test d’évaluation de français
    • TCF – Test de connaissance du français
  • A final academic transcript showing that French language skills were among the language requirements for the program that you studied in and only if the study programs were all in French
  • A regular license to practice from a professional order in Quebec
  • Passing the Quebec values test or taking and passing a course on the Quebec values

It is important to note that, if immigration candidates apply for the CSQ with their spouse, they will need to have a minimum language level of 4 (band score). If you are applying for the skilled worker stream, the immigration procedures may not allow you to get the CSQQ if your French language is not sufficient. However, there is another beneficial immigration program that may be better suited for you: the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

International Student

PR in Quebec for international students is not easy to get, although it is not impossible either. When it comes to the application itself, and the eligibility criteria, you will need to have the following:

  • Gotten a degree or high school diploma from the past 3 years (36 months) and from an educational institution that is recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Education
  • Have appropriate work experience, which does not have to be in connection to your studies
  • Have a certain level of language knowledge: advanced-intermediate knowledge level should suffice, higher is better
  • Have stayed in Quebec for at least a part of your study program
  • Have legal status in Quebec, this should mean that you need to have a legal Temporary Quebec Residency

Requirements for Student Stream are strict, but it is necessary to make sure that the student has a legal status. Immigration experts from the federal government will not recognize illegal applications, even if the applicant has gotten their CSQ certificate. The immigration procedures for temporary foreign workers are slightly different.

Temporary Foreign Worker

csq experience quebecoise

Quebec immigration for skilled workers is a bit different from the student stream and the Skilled Worker Stream. To be eligible to obtain the CSQ under the PEQ (the Programme de l’expérience québécoise), you will need:

  • To be employed in an NOC-recognized occupation at the skill level 0, A, or B – Quebec still uses the old NOC categorization but will switch to the new, TEER-based NOC categorization sometime in 2023
  • Have spent a minimum period of 24 months working in Canada within 36 months before the application
  • Have a desirable level of French knowledge (the same as for the student stream – advanced-intermediate level is necessary)
  • Have a legal presence in Canada and be willing to stay and settle in Quebec

Quebec experience class program also imposes some other prerequisites. Namely, you will also need to have an intention to settle in Quebec, not other provinces. You will also need to be financially responsible and show that you have enough funds to support yourself and your spouse (if they are joining you) for at least three months. You will also need to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid passport from your domestic country.

Please beware that criminal or medical inadmissibility may stand in the way between you and Canadian PR – Permanent Residence. Canadian immigration options are plenty, but the immigration Canada services are very strict about who can or cannot be accepted. Suppose you have been declined before for not fulfilling any requirements for the worker stream. In that case, you may want to hire one of many Canadian immigration consultants to make sure you boost your chances of getting accepted this time.

The Quebec Experience immigration for workers is a great immigration pathway to Canada. Since Quebec is a French-speaking province, it has to insist on you being able to speak French, to ensure you can find your way once accepted in the province. When it comes to immigration objectives, Quebec, a picturesque province, is looking for immigrants who can help improve their province and their economy – for this reason, the immigration officers work double hard to make sure all eligible candidates get accepted.

PEQ Immigration Eligibility Criteria

Quebec PR requirements are not as simple as some may think. There are several prerequisites that you will need to follow through during your studies and later on to secure a spot for you in the next PR draw cycle. Here are the PEQ program prerequisites for students who would like to join this immigration process (educational criteria are in Quebec standard):

  • You have respected the conditions of your stay and your study/work permit
  • You intend to settle in Quebec and seek employment
  • You are over 18 years of age and have a valid passport from your country of citizenship/origin
  • You have a sufficient level of French language proficiency – advanced-intermediate or Level 7 for principal applicant and Level 4 for spouse, conjugal or common-law partner
  • You have legal status in Quebec at the time of application
  • You have enough funds to support both yourself and your spouse, conjugal or common-law partner for at least three months after the application is submitted
  • Have completed an eligible diploma or degree study program
  • Have gained eligible work experience in Quebec following your graduation. Work experience gained during the studies should be accepted as well and it does not have to be in the same field that you studied in.
    • The work experience has to be at least 18 months long for DVS or AVS holders – vocational studies
    • The work experience has to be at least 12 months long for all other eligible diplomas
    • The work experience has to be in a profession that is on the NOC list, and it has to be in the NOC 0, A, or B category (does not need to be related to the field of your study) or C category (it has to be related to your studies)
    • You need to have a valid work contract for a full-time job experience at the time of application
    • If you are counting internship as legal working experience, you can do so for a maximum of three months if this was a full-time internship, or an equivalent if this was a part-time internship
  • Have legally resided in Quebec for at least half of the study program length – for a 3-year study program, you will need to have spent at least a year and a half in Canada
  • Have gained one of the eligible diplomas:
    • Bachelor’s Degree – BA
    • Master’s Degree – MA
    • Master of Business Administration – MBA
    • Ph.D.
    • Diploma of College Studies with Technical Training – DCS
    • Diploma of Vocational Studies – DVS with a minimum of 1800 hours of study time
    • Diploma of Vocational Studies – DVS with an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS) – a minimum of 1,800 hours of study time
  • You will need to have gotten the diploma within 36 months before your application submission
  • You will need to have gotten the diploma through a full-time study experience
  • You will need to have gotten the diploma through an educational institution in Quebec and recognized by Quebec

PEQ immigration program for temporary foreign workers, looking to make permanent selection applications are very similar to those applicable to students. Although these types of applications are different, the PEQ Quebec Experience Program foreign workers have the following eligibility criteria:

  • You have respected the conditions of your stay and the conditions listed on your work permit
  • You have intentions to settle in Quebec and to seek employment in Quebec
  • You are 18 years of age or older and hold a valid passport from your country of citizenship
  • you have a sufficient knowledge of the French language (this is a standard part of the application package, the application process will only accept you if you have a Level 7 knowledge of French from a TCF or TEF approved test) – the spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (if applicable) need to have their language abilities valued a Level 4 Band Score
  • You have legal status in Canada and Quebec at the time of applying for the Quebec Experience program or you will not be considered
  • You have financial means to support both yourself and your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (if applicable) for a minimum of 3 months
  • Have legal status in Quebec when applying for the Quebec Experience Program for Foreign Workers, which you got through:
    • Temporary Foreign Worker Visa
    • Working Holiday Program
    • Young Professionals Program
    • International Co-op Internship
  • Have valid work experience that is:
    • On the NOC list categories 0, A, and B (the old categorization of the NOC system)
    • Is a legal job offer and your taxes are paid either by you or through tax withholding
    • Is a paid work, no volunteer work is taken into consideration
    • Is full-time work with a contract for a minimum of 30 hours a week
    • Have been employed in the said position for at least 24 months in the 36 months before the application

Check Out Immigrate to Quebec | Quebec Immigration Program | Arrima Portal Quebec | Canada Immigration

PEQ Courses List: Eligible Areas of Training

The immigration Quebec PEQ program has a lot of prerequisites, but most of these are easy to achieve to get permanent residence status. For as long as your legal residence status is easy to confirm and for as long as your studies have been finished, you can join this program and gain the esteemed certificate. If you find a job in Quebec, this is a big plus. Now, here is the PEQ courses list Québec divided by the level of study program:

DEP (Diplôme d’études professionnelles)

DEP Programs (French)English Translation
Arboriculture-élagageArboriculture and Pruning
Assistance à la personne à domicileHome Care Assistance
Assistance technique en pharmaciePharmacy Technical Assistance
Boucherie de détailRetail Butchery
CarrosserieAuto Bodywork
Charpenterie-menuiserieCarpentry and Joinery
ChaudronnerieBoilermaking
Conduite de procédés de traitement de l’eauWater Treatment Process Operation
CuisineCulinary Arts
Électromécanique de systèmes automatisésElectromechanical Automated Systems
Extraction de mineraiOre Extraction
Ferblanterie-tôlerieSheet Metal Work
FonderieFoundry Technology
Forage et dynamitageDrilling and Blasting
Grandes culturesField Crop Production
Régulation de volFlight Dispatching
Installation et entretien de systèmes de sécuritéSecurity System Installation and Maintenance
Installation et réparation d’équipement de télécommunicationTelecommunications Equipment Installation and Repair
Mécanique agricoleAgricultural Mechanics
Mécanique d’ascenseurElevator Mechanics
Mécanique de machines fixesStationary Machine Mechanics
Mécanique de protection contre les incendiesFire Protection Mechanics
Mécanique de véhicules lourds routiersHeavy Road Vehicle Mechanics
Mécanique d’engins de chantierConstruction Equipment Mechanics
Mécanique industrielle de construction et d’entretienIndustrial Construction and Maintenance Mechanics
ModelageMolding
Installation et fabrication de produits verriersGlass Products Installation and Fabrication
Plomberie et chauffagePlumbing and Heating
Production acéricoleMaple Syrup Production
Réalisation d’aménagements paysagersLandscaping
RéfrigérationRefrigeration
Santé, assistance et soins infirmiersHealth Assistance and Nursing Care
SciageSawing Operations
SecrétariatSecretarial Studies
Soudage-montageWelding and Assembly
Techniques d’usinageMachining Techniques
Production animaleAnimal Production

ASP

French TermEnglish Translation
Fabrication de moulesMold Manufacturing
MatriçageDie Forging
OutillageTooling

AEC ( Attestation d’étude collégiale)

French TermEnglish Translation
Gestion et technologies d’entreprise agricoleAgricultural Business Management and Technologies
Techniques de génie aérospatialAerospace Engineering Techniques
Technologie des procédés et de la qualité des alimentsFood Processing and Quality Technology
Technologie de l’architectureArchitectural Technology
Techniques d’avioniqueAvionics Techniques
Techniques de maintenance d’aéronefsAircraft Maintenance Techniques
Techniques de la plasturgiePlastics Processing Techniques
Techniques de transformation des matériaux compositesComposite Materials Processing Techniques
Technologie d’analyses biomédicalesBiomedical Analysis Technology
Techniques de physiothérapiePhysiotherapy Techniques
Techniques de thanatologieThanatology Techniques
Soins infirmiersNursing Care
Archives médicalesMedical Archiving
Assainissement de l’eauWater Sanitation
Conseil en assurances et en services financiersInsurance and Financial Services Consulting
Environnement, hygiène et sécurité au travailEnvironmental, Hygiene, and Workplace Safety
Techniques de bureautiqueOffice Systems Techniques
Gestion d’un établissement de restaurationRestaurant Management
Techniques d’éducation à l’enfanceEarly Childhood Education Techniques
Techniques d’éducation spécialiséeSpecialized Education Techniques
Technologie de la géomatiqueGeomatics Technology
Technologie de l’électroniqueElectronics Technology
Technologie de l’estimation et de l’évaluation en bâtimentBuilding Estimation and Evaluation Technology

DEC ( Diplôme d’étude collégiale)

French TermEnglish Translation
AcupunctureAcupuncture
Archives médicalesMedical Archives
Assainissement de l’eauWater Sanitation
AudioprothèseHearing Aid Acoustics
Techniques d’avioniqueAvionics Techniques
Conseil en assurances et en services financiersInsurance and Financial Services Consulting
Techniques de maintenance d’aéronefsAircraft Maintenance Techniques
Environnement, hygiène et sécurité au travailEnvironmental, Health and Safety at Work
Gestion et technologies d’entreprise agricoleManagement and Agricultural Business Technologies
Soins infirmiersNursing Care
Soins préhospitaliers d’urgencePrehospital Emergency Care
Techniques de bureautiqueOffice Systems Techniques
Techniques de génie aérospatialAerospace Engineering Techniques
Techniques de denturologieDenturology Techniques
Techniques de diététiqueDietetic Techniques
Techniques de génie chimiqueChemical Engineering Techniques
Techniques de génie mécaniqueMechanical Engineering Techniques
Techniques de génie mécanique de marineMarine Mechanical Engineering Techniques
Gestion d’un établissement de restaurationRestaurant Management
Techniques de gestion hôtelièreHotel Management Techniques
Techniques de l’informatiqueComputer Science Techniques
Techniques de pilotage d’aéronefsAircraft Piloting Techniques
Techniques de physiothérapiePhysiotherapy Techniques
Techniques de santé animaleAnimal Health Techniques
Techniques de thanatologieThanatology Techniques
Techniques de transformation des matériaux compositesComposite Material Processing Techniques
Techniques de la plasturgiePlastics Processing Techniques
Techniques d’éducation à l’enfanceEarly Childhood Education Techniques
Techniques d’éducation spécialiséeSpecialized Education Techniques
Techniques d’électrophysiologie médicaleMedical Electrophysiology Techniques
Techniques d’hygiène dentaireDental Hygiene Techniques
Techniques d’inhalothérapieRespiratory Therapy Techniques
Techniques d’intégration multimédiaMultimedia Integration Techniques
Techniques d’orthèses et de prothèses orthopédiquesOrthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Techniques
Techniques d’orthèses visuellesVisual Orthotics Techniques
Techniques du meuble et d’ébénisterieFurniture and Cabinetmaking Techniques
Techniques équinesEquine Techniques
Techniques juridiquesLegal Techniques
Technologie d’analyses biomédicalesBiomedical Analysis Technology
Technologie de la géomatiqueGeomatics Technology
Technologie de la mécanique du bâtimentBuilding Mechanics Technology
Technologie des procédés et de la qualité des alimentsFood Processing and Quality Technology
Technologie de l’architectureArchitectural Technology
Technologie de l’électroniqueElectronics Technology
Technologie de l’électronique industrielleIndustrial Electronics Technology
Technologie de l’estimation et de l’évaluation en bâtimentBuilding Estimation and Evaluation Technology
Technologie de maintenance industrielleIndustrial Maintenance Technology
Technologie de médecine nucléaireNuclear Medicine Technology
Technologie de radiodiagnosticRadiodiagnostic Technology
Technologie de radio-oncologieRadio-oncology Technology
Technologie de systèmes ordinésOrdinated Systems Technology
Technologie du génie agromécaniqueAgromechanical Engineering Technology
Technologie des productions animalesAnimal Production Technology
Technologie du génie civilCivil Engineering Technology
Technologie du génie métallurgiqueMetallurgical Engineering Technology
Technologie du génie physiquePhysical Engineering Technology
Technologies de transformation de la celluloseCellulose Transformation Technologies
Gestion de projet en communications graphiquesGraphic Communications Project Management
Technologie minéraleMineral Technology

BAC ( Baccalauréat « licence »)

French TermEnglish Translation
ActuariatActuarial Science
Administration des affairesBusiness Administration
Affaires sur le plan internationalInternational Business
Animation sociale ou communautaireSocial or Community Outreach
Communications et journalismeCommunications and Journalism
Comptabilité et sciences comptablesAccounting and Accountancy
CriminologieCriminology
Français, en général et langue maternelleFrench Language and Literature
Français, langue secondeFrench as a Second Language
GéologieGeology
Gestion du personnelHuman Resources Management
Gestion et administration des entreprisesBusiness Management and Administration
Information de gestionManagement Information
Langues et littératures françaises ou anglaisesFrench or English Languages and Literatures
Marketing et achatsMarketing and Purchasing
MathématiquesMathematics
Météorologie et sciences de l’atmosphèreMeteorology and Atmospheric Sciences
Opérations bancaires et financeBanking Operations and Finance
Probabilités et statistiquesProbability and Statistics
Relations industriellesIndustrial Relations
Ressources naturellesNatural Resources
Sciences de l’activité physiquePhysical Activity Sciences
Sciences de l’informatiqueComputer Science
Sciences infirmières et nursingNursing Sciences
Sciences physiquesPhysical Sciences
Service socialSocial Work
SexologieSexology
TraductionTranslation
UrbanismeUrban Planning
Sciences domestiquesHome Economics
Formation des enseignants au préscolairePreschool Teacher Education
Architecture paysagisteLandscape Architecture
ArchitectureArchitecture
Mathématiques appliquéesApplied Mathematics
Économie rurale et agricoleRural and Agricultural Economics
Sciences fondamentales et sciences appliquées de la santéBasic and Applied Health Sciences
Psycho-éducationPsychoeducation
PsychologiePsychology
ErgothérapieOccupational Therapy
Orthophonie et audiologieSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiology
PhysiothérapiePhysiotherapy
AgricultureAgriculture
Formation des enseignants au préscolaire et au primairePreschool and Primary Teacher Education
Formation des enseignants au secondaireSecondary Teacher Education
Formation des enseignants spécialistes au primaire et au secondaireSpecialist Teacher Education for Primary and Secondary
Génie aérospatial, aéronautique et astronautiqueAerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Génie agricole et génie ruralAgricultural and Rural Engineering
Génie alimentaireFood Engineering
Génie civil, de la construction et du transportCivil, Construction and Transportation Engineering
Génie électrique, électronique et des communicationsElectrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering
Génie forestier, foresterie et sciences du boisForestry Engineering and Wood Sciences
Génie géologiqueGeological Engineering
Génie industriel et administratifIndustrial and Administrative Engineering
Génie informatique et de la construction des ordinateursComputer Engineering and Computer Construction
Génie mécaniqueMechanical Engineering
Génie métallurgique et des matériauxMetallurgical and Materials Engineering
Génie minierMining Engineering
Génie physiquePhysical Engineering
GéodésieGeodesy
PérinalitéPerinatology
Pharmacie et sciences pharmaceutiquesPharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
IngénierieEngineering
Diététique et nutritionDietetics and Nutrition

MAI ( Maîtrise)

French TermEnglish Translation
Bibliothéconomie et archivistiqueLibrary and Information Science
DidactiqueDidactics
ErgothérapieOccupational Therapy
Ethnologie et ethnographieEthnology and Ethnography
Formation des enseignants au collégialCollege Teacher Education
Génie agro-forestierAgroforestry Engineering
Génie des pâtes et papiersPulp and Paper Engineering
Génie nucléaireNuclear Engineering
Gestion des services de santéHealth Services Management
Orthophonie et audiologieSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiology
PhysiothérapiePhysiotherapy
Santé communautaire et épidémiologieCommunity Health and Epidemiology
Pédagogie universitaireUniversity Pedagogy
Éducation des adultes et formation permanenteAdult Education and Continuous Training
ArchitectureArchitecture
Architecture urbaine et aménagementUrban Architecture and Planning
ÉnergieEnergy
GénétiqueGenetics
Hydrologie et sciences de l’eauHydrology and Water Sciences
Médecine et chirurgie expérimentalesExperimental Medicine and Surgery
Psycho-éducationPsychoeducation
CoopérationCooperation
Recherche opérationnelleOperations Research
PsychologiePsychology

DOC ( Doctoral Degree)

French TermEnglish Translation
ChiropratiqueChiropractic
MédecineMedicine
Médecine dentaireDentistry
Médecine vétérinaireVeterinary Medicine
OptométrieOptometry
Autres professions de la santéOther Health Professions
PsychologiePsychology

How Does the PEQ Affect Your Permanent Residence Application?

On the technical level, your PEQ can help you get your Permanent Residence faster. When you get to join the PEQ, you have to wait for the processing time to get the CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) and once you have it, you can apply for permanent residence. When applying for the CSQ, you will have to do that on the Arrima portal, and you will be able to join one of the two Quebec Canadian immigration programs:

So, a PEQ application can help you get the Canada PR, as Canada uses this among many other immigration streams to meet their generous immigration targets. Although the prerequisites for the PEQ program are not too high, you may want to hire a good immigration consultant to get the immigration without hassle.

Quebec Experience Program Processing Time

Quebec Immigration Programs are generally among the fastest in the world. However, this does not mean that you will be able to get it within days or weeks. Getting the CSQ certificate in general takes up to a month, and paper-based applications are no longer accepted. You can always check the processing times online. When it comes to the PR, this may take a longer time:

  • through Express Entry, it may take around six months to get the PR, and this is the highest-priority immigration program
  • through paper-based applications (all other types but the Express Entry, even if they are submitted online), it can take the Canadian Immigration Visa Office 1-2 years to process your application form and all other documents you have sent in

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Get PR in Quebec?

For permanent residence in Quebec, you will need to get the CSQ certificate if you are applying through the PEQ program. After this, you will need to submit your PR application form. This can take between 6 months and two years to process, so you may need some 7-25 months for the full processing time.

How Many Points Are Required for Quebec Immigration?

This depends on the program that you are joining, and some programs do not have a points-based system to receive candidates for immigration. Under the EE, you will need as many CRS points as you can get. Under the QSWP, you will need 50 points if applying alone or 59 if applying with a spouse or a common-law partner. For the PEQ program, you will need to pass the eligibility criteria.

Can Someone Who Entered The Country Through The Quebec Skilled Worker Program Begin Working In Other Parts Of Canada?

Yes, you can. In fact, with any immigration program in Canada, you can live and work wherever you would like. However, if a province (such as Quebec) brought you into Canada, it is a sign of good manners to stay in Quebec, as you will be able to contribute to their society and economy.

Final Thoughts

The PEQ program is one of the most popular immigration pathways for immigration to Canada. This program is so popular that at times, over 50% of the total immigrants to Canada come there through this program alone. The prerequisites are strict, but not too high, and Quebec has a lot to offer to all who speak French and are willing to settle there.