Quebec eliminates the stricter rules adopted for PEQ in May

In May, this year, the Government of Quebec had declared some strict measures for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). This step affected international students as well as temporary foreign workers.  Quebec made some significant changes to the PEQ with altering the requirements for temporary foreign workers; such as increasing the work experience from one year to three years to be eligible for the Quebec Experience Program.  Quebec also set a requirement of 1 to 2 years of work experience for foreign students according to the program they studied.  Due to the growing concerns of these tight rules among the international students and temporary foreign workers, Quebec has now decided to ease the adopted measures and bring out some flexibility.  Also Read: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Gateway to move to Canada Temporary foreign workers will now need a work experience of 24 months instead of 36 months. And the duration of the work experience requirement for the students will also be eased by the government in this current mandate.  Also, if a student has done a compulsory internship during his study program, his work experience will be regarded as equivalent to 3 months of full-time work.  These new changes will come into effect from July 22, 2020. The applications received before this date will be viewed as per the current eligibility requirements for PEQ. 

Quebec Experience Program

The province of Quebec has two economic immigration programs – The Regular Skilled Worker Program and Quebec Experience Program.  PEQ is the french acronym for the Quebec Experience Program. It was launched by the province in 2010 and since then the program has gained immense popularity among the students and workers. Through this program, temporary work permit holders and students can get permanent residence in Quebec. PEQ provides a fast-track route to permanent residency for workers and students who are already living in Quebec.

Temporary Foreign Workers

TFWs can be eligible for PEQ if they have a minimum of 24 months of full-time genuine work experience in jobs related to NOC 0, A, B, and C. Also, they should be working while filing their application.

International students

Foreign students who are living in Quebec and hold a university degree or a diploma of college studies need to have at least 12 months of work experience in those occupations that fall within the National Occupational Classification codes 0, A, B. They also need to have that job at the time of application for PEQ. 

Spouses need to have knowledge of French

In order to promote better integration into society, Quebec demands that all candidates applying for the PEQ have some knowledge of French.  Furthermore, if the spouses of the principal applicants are also selected under the PEQ, they must ensure that they are able to show a spoken knowledge of level 4 in French. Also, a certificate of completion of the French course – advanced intermediate level will not be treated as a proof of French knowledge.  Also Read: How to Move to Canada through Express Entry? However, Quebec will permit certain individuals to submit these documents as proof. Applicants who have already taken the French course, are still taking, or have registered before the enactment of this new regulation can submit these documents as proof for the knowledge of French.  To conclude, these new reforms in the PEQ that are taken by the Government of Quebec will encourage permanent settlement of those individuals who are already living in Quebec as temporary residents. Moreover, it will intensify the economic and social benefits across the province. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs