General conditions
You must:
- Intend to settle in Québec to work for a company over which you do not exercise legal or de facto control, directly or indirectly, in any way whatsoever. This employment must not be in one of the ineligible sectors.
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have a knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to level 7 of the Québec scale of French proficiency levels ;
- Have a knowledge of written French that corresponds to level 5 of the Québec scale of French proficiency levels ;
- Be legally in Québec when you submit your application
- Demonstrate your ability to be financially self-sufficient.
General conditions for your spouse
Your spouse or common-law partner must have a knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to a level 4 on the Québec scale of French proficiency levels .
Specific conditions
You must:
- Have obtained an eligible diploma (see list of eligible diplomas below);
- Have obtained your diploma in the 36 months prior to submitting your application:
- in a full-time program of study;
- from an educational institution located in Quebec;
- Have lived in Québec for at least half of your program of study.
Please note that as of November 23, 2024, in order to qualify for this program, you must:
- Have completed an eligible program of study in French, i.e., 75% of courses or credits have been completed in French;
- vocational and college training: 75% of program courses must be completed in French,
- University programs: 75% of program credits must be completed in French.
Theses, Master’s dissertations, internships and research laboratories may be completed in a language other than French. However, the 75% threshold must be met for other courses or credits.
Please note that courses taken abroad, as part of an exchange program for example, count towards the threshold.
You can also apply to this program if you have completed three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies in French in Québec or abroad.
Eligible diplomas
- Bachelor’s degree (university undergraduate)
- Master’s degree (including an MBA)
- Ph.D.
- Diploma of college studies, technical training (DCS)
- Diploma of vocational studies (DVS) attesting to 1,800 hours or more of study
- Diploma of vocational studies (DVS) followed by an Attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) of 1,800 hours or more of continuing education leading to a given trade
No other type of diploma is eligible.
You are not eligible for the PEQ if:
- You have a bursary with a return to your country clause, unless you have already fulfilled this condition
- You have stayed in Québec for less than half the duration of your study program.
Obtaining or renewing your work permit
To work after graduation, you can obtain a post-graduation work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This permit allows you to work for different employers.
You can also be hired by a Québec employer and obtain a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Conditions for your spouse to obtain an open work permit
Your spouse can, under certain conditions, obtain an open work permit for employment.
Your spouse must have a knowledge of spoken French equivalent to level 4 on theQuébec scale of French proficiency levels .
Your spouse may also apply for permanent selection in the Québec Experience Program as a principal applicant.
Selection interview
You may be required to complete an interview with an immigration counsellor to verify, for example, the accuracy of the information provided in your application for permanent selection.
If so, you will receive a notice specifying the:
- date of the interview;
- location of the interview;
- time of the interview.
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration may also conduct additional verification.
Contact the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: from 8:00 to 16:00
Wednesday: from 10:00 to 16:30
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Greater Montréal: 514-864-9191
Elsewhere in Québec (Toll free): 1-877-864-9191
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Last update: April 29, 2024