Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) (Reopening July 2026)
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), also known as the programme de l’expérience québécoise, is one of Quebec’s several immigration programs. On November 19, 2025, this program was officially closed by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) but will now be reopening temporarily from July 2, 2026, to July 2, 2028.
What are the different streams under the Quebec PEQ?
The Quebec Experience program is for foreign students who are Québec graduates or those who are temporary foreign workers since the PEQ offers two different streams for applicants:
- Temporary Foreign Workers stream (TFW)
- Quebec Graduates stream.
What is the process after becoming eligible for PEQ?
A certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate) is required for all PEQ pathway programs. Upon receiving an approval for the CSQ, the applicant is then able to submit an application for their Canadian permanent residence.
PEQ Requirements
In addition to the following general requirements for PEQ on this page, the primary eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Lives temporarily in Quebec for work or study, and is following the conditions of their stay
- Plans to settle in Quebec to work for a company where they have no direct or indirect authority, either legally or in practice.
- TFW must speak French at a level 7 on the Quebec French proficiency scale.
- Students must have French language proficiency at a level of 7 orally and a level 5 in writing.
- Applicant’s common-law partner or spouse is required to have French speaking skills at level 4 (If applicable).
- Must have a valid passport and must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be present in Quebec at the time of application.
- Must provide proof of financial independence.
For a detailed list of conditions for the temporary foreign workers stream see here.
For a detailed list of conditions for the graduates stream see here.
PEQ Language Requirements
As of November 23 , 2024, the PEQ requires demonstration of advanced intermediate knowledge of French-language proficiency. Applicants are required to provide one of the following documents listed below with their declaration:
- Accepted French-language tests:
Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCF-Québec)
Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF-Canada)
Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
- A final transcript showing that the applicant has successfully completed at least three years of full-time study in French at secondary or post-secondary school.
- Holds a regular license to practice from a professional order in Quebec.
Did you know?
MIFI immigration officers always reserve the right to request an interview with PEQ candidates to assess French in-person.
Eligibility Requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers under PEQ
Applicants who apply through the TFW stream are required to be legally in Québec as a skilled temporary foreign worker or part of a youth exchange program.
Applicants must work full-time (min. 30 hours) for at least 24 out of the 36 months before submitting their application. Part-time work is not accounted for under this program.
The eligible work experience must have corresponded to an occupation in the “Training, education, experience, responsibilities” categories TEER 0, A or B1, 2 or 3 National Occupational Classification codes.
Eligibility Requirements for International Students under Quebec Graduates Stream
- Applicants are required to have lived in Québec temporarily for at least half the duration of their study program with a main purpose of studying full-time and are required to adhere to the conditions of their stay.
- Must have an eligible Québec diploma.
- Must be residing in Québec at the time of application submission.
Note: Not all diploma’s in Québec are eligible for PEQ.
Eligibility Update:
On November 23, 2024, it was announced that 75% of the courses or credits in an eligible program, such as vocational and college training, as well as university programs, must be completed in French. However, certain work such as a thesis, master’s dissertations, internships, and research lab work may have been completed in a language other than French as long as 75% of other courses or credits were completed in French.
Graduates Stream Additional French Proficiency Requirements
As of November 23, 2024, there have been changes to the documents needed to demonstrate French speaking and writing skills for the Québec Graduates stream:
- Students are required to provide a final transcript with marks showing that they have successfully completed an eligible program in French in Québec.
- If students are in a post-secondary program in English in Quebec, they need to demonstrate that they have completed 3 years of high school or post-secondary studies in French.
Q&A
What is the application process for PEQ?
- Applicants select the stream for which they want to apply to and they must complete the application accordingly. If they want to apply under the temporary foreign workers stream, they need to complete the Demande de sélection permanente Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Travailleur étranger temporaire form. If they want to apply under the Québec graduates stream, they need to complete the Demande de sélection permanente Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) – Diplômé du Québec form.
- Must submit the necessary paperwork as listed on the application.
- Apply on the Arrima platform after setting up an account.
- Submit application on the Arrima platform by attaching the permanent selection application form, supporting documentation, and information about any family members they plan to include in their application.
- Pay the application processing fees.
Note: Applicants are able to submit any missing documents during the processing of their application. Once MIFI receives a completed application, it’s typically processed within six months.
What are the processing fees for a PEQ application?
As part of the PEQ application process, applicants are required to pay a processing fee. The fee must have been paid in Canadian dollars and it was required that the full amount had to be paid either by the applicant or by a third party.
How long is the PEQ process?
The average processing time for most PEQ applications took six months. The processing time started as soon as the MIFI received an applicants complete application.
To ensure that an application was processed on time, as with all government applications, it must have been completed with all the required documents. Additionally, the processing fees had to be paid in full.
What is the French language requirement for PEQ?
Temporary Foreign Workers Stream:
- Applicants must demonstrate spoken French proficiency equivalent to level 7 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
- The applicant’s spouse must demonstrate spoken French proficiency equivalent to level 4 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
Graduates Stream:
- Applicants are required to demonstrate spoken French proficiency equivalent to level 7 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
- Applicants are required to demonstrate written French proficiency equivalent to level 5 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
- The applicant’s spouse must be able to demonstrate spoken French proficiency equivalent to level 4 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
Could one apply for the PEQ even if they didn’t speak French?
No, the applicant must have the required level of proficiency in French in order to qualify for the PEQ. Both streams under PEQ have specific but different French language requirements for both applicants and their spouses.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the PEQ?
No, a job offer is not required. However, you need to be employed at the time of submission of the application and must be able to demonstrate your eligible work experience through an employment letter.
What is a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)?
The CSQ is a document that is an official endorsement by the Quebec Government which states that an applicant has been selected for immigration. Having a CSQ is one of the requirements to receive Canadian permanent residence under the PEQ.
The CSQ allows those in Quebec with an existing work permit to apply for an extension.
What are the Diplomas and Degrees eligible for the PEQ program?
Applicants who have completed any one of the following diplomas are eligible for the PEQ program:
- Bachelor’s degree (university undergraduate)
- Master’s degree (including an MBA)
- Ph.D
- Diplôme d’études collégiales techniques (DEC – diploma of college studies, technical training)
- Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP – diploma of vocational studies) attesting to 1800 hours of study or more
- Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP – diploma of vocational studies) followed by an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP – attestation of vocational specialization) attesting to a minimum of 1800 hours of continuing education and leading to a particular trade
Could I apply for PEQ after my studies in Quebec?
Yes, applicants are able to apply for the PEQ after they complete their studies in Quebec. They have to apply under the Graduates stream of the PEQ.
How much work experience do I need as a Temporary foreign worker to apply for PEQ?
The applicant must have been employed for at least 24 of the 36 months prior to submitting their application.
They may be ineligible if they obtained their work experience:
- In a sector that is ineligible
- From an employer that you directly or indirectly control or have legal control
You are not eligible to participate in the Québec Experience Program if you work part-time or fewer than thirty hours a week.
If you have a non-continuous job experience done on a full-time basis, you can include it in your application.
Can I apply for PEQ if I already have a work permit?
Yes, you can apply for the PEQ if you have a work permit in Quebec given you also meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can I apply for PEQ from outside Quebec?
- For the PEQ graduates stream: You are not permitted to apply to the PEQ graduate stream from abroad as you must be in Quebec at the time of the application.
- For the foreign workers stream: You are required to be in Quebec and working at the time of submission of your application.
Am I able to include my spouse in my PEQ application?
Yes, applicants are able to include their spouse in their application for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ):
- If their spouse speaks French at level 4 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency.
- Able to include or remove a spouse from the application.
- Spouses could also be the main applicant in the PEQ program
Am I able to apply for PEQ while being a visitor inside Canada or with visitor status inside Canada?
Under the temporary foreign workers stream you are required to be working at the time of submission of the application, meaning that you must have a valid work permit.
For the graduate’s stream, applicants may be eligible on a visitor’s visa if they meet the other PEQ requirements.
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