Quebec Immigration: Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
If you have previously studied or worked in Quebec and wish to settle in the province permanently, you may have been eligible for immigration through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). The PEQ was designed as a fast-track immigration pathway, with processing times of up to six months.
At Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA), we help clients understand Quebec-specific immigration options and stay informed about program availability and changes.
Program Overview
Important update: As of November 19, Quebec has closed the PEQ program, and is no longer accepting new applications under either the Quebec Graduates or Temporary Foreign Worker streams. At this time, the Quebec government has not confirmed whether application intake will resume in the future.
The Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise – PEQ) was created to allow foreign graduates and workers with Quebec experience to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). A CSQ is a required step before applying to the federal government for permanent residence.
Quebec’s immigration system differs from other provinces due to the Quebec–Canada Agreement, which has been in effect since April 1991. This agreement grants Quebec the authority to independently select its economic immigrants under the skilled worker category.
The PEQ was established by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to retain individuals already living in Quebec who were familiar with the province’s language, values, and labour market. The program aimed to support employers, retain international graduates, and address Quebec’s demographic challenges.
During its first ten years, the PEQ issued over 70,000 Quebec Selection Certificates, accounting for approximately 86% of all CSQs granted during that period.
The PEQ was particularly suitable for individuals with strong French proficiency and legally obtained work experience in Quebec. Its six-month processing timeline made it significantly faster than programs such as the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP).
PEQ Immigration Process
Depending on their situation, applicants could apply through one of the two PEQ streams:
Temporary Foreign Workers
Quebec Graduates
Since January 2021, all PEQ applications were required to be submitted online through the Arrima portal. Paper applications were no longer accepted.
The application process followed these steps:
Select and complete the permanent selection application form that matched the applicant’s profile
Gather all required supporting documents listed in the form
Create an account on the Arrima platform
Submit the complete application for permanent selection through Arrima
Pay the applicable processing fees
Once a complete application and payment were received, MIFI aimed to process applications within six months.
Eligibility Criteria – Temporary Foreign Workers
The PEQ Temporary Foreign Worker stream is closed as of November 19, 2025.
Before closure, temporary foreign workers could apply for a CSQ under the PEQ if they:
Intended to settle in Quebec for employment purposes (employment could not be in an ineligible sector)
Had temporary resident status in Quebec for work purposes
Had accumulated at least 24 months of full-time work experience in Quebec within the 36 months prior to application, in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation
Held legal temporary status, including participation in youth exchange programs such as International Experience Canada (IEC)
Were legally present in Quebec at the time of application
Language Requirements
Applicants were required to meet one of the following French language conditions:
Spoken French proficiency at level 7 on the Quebec scale; or
Proof of completing at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary education entirely in French; or
Proof of meeting the French requirements of the professional regulatory body governing their occupation in Quebec
Accompanying spouses were required to demonstrate spoken French at level 4.
Full-Time Work Experience Definition
MIFI defined full-time employment as a minimum of 30 paid hours per week. Eligible work experience had to be:
Legally obtained
In a TEER 0, A, B1, 2, or 3 occupation
Work experience gained while holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit or through an IEC program could be counted if all PEQ conditions were met. Part-time work, self-employment, and entrepreneurial activity were not accepted under the PEQ.
Eligibility Criteria – Quebec Graduates
The PEQ Quebec Graduates stream is closed as of November 19, 2025.
Before closure, international graduates could apply if they:
Intended to settle in Quebec for employment purposes (excluding ineligible sectors)
Had resided in Quebec for study purposes for at least half the duration of their program
Completed at least 1,800 hours (two years) of study in Quebec
Obtained an eligible diploma or degree from a Quebec-recognized institution within the previous 36 months
Were legally present in Quebec at the time of application
Demonstrated financial self-sufficiency
Additional work experience requirements applied:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or DEC graduates:
Required 12 months of work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation
Must have been employed in such a role at the time of application
DEP graduates:
Required 18 months of work experience in a NOC 0, A, B, or C occupation
NOC C work had to be related to the field of study
Mandatory internships could be counted for up to three months.
Language Requirements
Graduate applicants were required to demonstrate:
Spoken French at level 7
Written French at level 5
Accompanying spouses were required to show spoken French at level 4.
As of November 23, 2024, principal applicants also had to provide:
Proof of completing three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary education entirely in French; or
Proof of completing an eligible Quebec study program conducted entirely in French, with at least 75% of courses or credits completed in French
The Quebec government would not issue a CSQ until a final transcript and attestation of diploma completion were submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)?
The Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise – PEQ) is a Quebec immigration pathway that gives priority to individuals who have studied or gained work experience in Quebec and wish to settle in the province permanently.
2. Is the PEQ the same as the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)?
No. The PEQ and the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) are two distinct immigration programs that both lead to a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
Once a CSQ is issued under either program, the applicant may then apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence.
3. Is there a minimum points requirement under the PEQ?
No. The PEQ does not operate on a points-based system, and applicants are not required to meet a minimum points threshold to be eligible.
4. Who can apply under the PEQ?
Eligibility for the PEQ is based on an applicant’s prior experience in Quebec, either as:
A Quebec graduate with an eligible diploma; or
A temporary foreign worker with qualifying work experience in the province
Applicants must also meet all additional eligibility requirements applicable to their stream, as outlined in the program criteria.
At Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA), we help applicants assess eligibility and understand how program requirements apply to their specific background.
5. What is the PEQ – Diplômé du Québec?
The Diplômé du Québec (Quebec Graduate) category applies to individuals who have completed an eligible diploma or degree at a Quebec-recognized educational institution and meet the program’s requirements for graduates.