Your Ultimate Guide To The Quebec Experience Program (QEP)

PEQ or Programme de l’expérience québécoise is an immigration program in Quebec meant for temporary workers who have worked in Quebec or students who have studied in Quebec. This program provides an efficient way of getting a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) which is a prerequisite to a permanent resident status in Canada. This blog post gives information about the PEQ including the eligibility criteria and how to apply as well as the advantages of applying.

Overview Of PEQ

The PEQ was introduced to ensure that Quebec benefits from the contribution of individuals who are already well-integrated into its society. The program was launched in 2010 and has since turned into one of the key ways of immigration, with more than 70,000 certificates having been issued to temporary residents. The PEQ is especially appealing because this immigration program is processed faster than others.

Key Features

Here are the major features of the program:

Comparison With Other Quebec Immigration Programs

While the PEQ is a streamlined and efficient pathway to permanent residency, it is essential to understand how it compares with other programs like the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the eligibility for the following:

For Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary foreign workers must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the PEQ:

For Quebec Graduates

Foreign students who have graduated from Quebec must meet the following criteria:

Detailed Requirements

Temporary Foreign Workers

To be eligible for the PEQ as a temporary foreign worker, you must meet specific requirements:

Quebec Graduates

For Quebec graduates, the following conditions apply:

Application Process

The steps of the application process for the PEQ are as follows. All the steps have to be done through the official platform.

1. Choose the Right Application Form: Choose the form that applies to you: Temporary Foreign Worker or Quebec Graduate, and complete the relevant section.

2. Prepare Supporting Documents: All documents as stated in the application form should be collected.

3. Create Your Profile: Sign up and create an account with your service.

4. Submit Application: Enclose the complete application package and all documents that you would wish to be considered.

5. Pay Fees: Include the application processing fees as required.

The Quebec immigration authorities will take six months to process complete applications from the time they receive the application, fees, and accompanying documents.

Application Fees

From January 1, 2024, the fees for reviewing an application for permanent selection are subject to annual change. It should be in Canadian dollars and full payment is expected of the applicant or a third party. These fees are non-refundable regardless of the decision of the application you are applying for.

Transitional Measures for New Regulations

On July 22, 2020, the selection criteria changed after Immigration Quebec introduced new PEQ regulations. Transitional measures were implemented for certain candidates already in Quebec when the requirements were changed:

Conclusion

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) offers a quite effective way for temporary foreign workers and international students who are already familiar with living and studying in the province of Quebec. Despite its fast processing times and stress on the French language for integration into Quebec’s economy, the PEQ is designed to address the needs of Quebec for qualified and competent workers. For a temporary worker or a new graduate, the PEQ can be a promising way to get permanent residency in Quebec and a brighter future.

For further and more specific information and to begin your application, you can visit the official immigration website to Quebec or seek the service of an immigration consultant.