Quebec Experience Program: changes come into effect on july 22
Previously announced PEQ reforms come into effect today, affecting international students and temporary foreign workers’ applications.
The new eligibility criteria for the Quebec Experience Program (or PEQ) introduced by the provincial government on July 9 take effect today, July 22.
Launched in 2010, the PEQ is a popular immigration stream that provides a fast-track to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and international students that have resided in Quebec.
On July 9, Quebec’s immigration minister announced that an increase in the length of work experience required of future applicants before they can apply to the PEQ would be implemented in the coming weeks.
As of today, temporary foreign workers will be required to have held full-time employment for 24 months in the 36 months preceding the submission of their application to meet the PEQ’s criteria.
The new rules also include a Quebec work experience requirement for international students. Students who obtain a university degree in Quebec or a Quebec diploma of college studies will require 12 months of Quebec work experience in jobs that fall within National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes 0, A, and B.
Students who obtain a Quebec diploma of professional studies (DEP) will be required to have 18 months of Quebec work experience in NOC 0, A, B, and C level jobs. Students working in C level jobs can only be eligible under the new PEQ rules if their work experience is related to their program of study in Quebec.
Work experience acquired during a mandatory internship in a program of study will also be counted, up to a maximum of three months.
The new eligibility criteria for the Quebec Experience Program (or PEQ) introduced by the provincial government on July 9 take effect today, July 22.
Launched in 2010, the PEQ is a popular immigration stream that provides a fast-track to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and international students that have resided in Quebec.
On July 9, Quebec’s immigration minister announced that an increase in the length of work experience required of future applicants before they can apply to the PEQ would be implemented in the coming weeks.
As of today, temporary foreign workers will be required to have held full-time employment for 24 months in the 36 months preceding the submission of their application to meet the PEQ’s criteria.
The new rules also include a Quebec work experience requirement for international students. Students who obtain a university degree in Quebec or a Quebec diploma of college studies will require 12 months of Quebec work experience in jobs that fall within National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes 0, A, and B.
Students who obtain a Quebec diploma of professional studies (DEP) will be required to have 18 months of Quebec work experience in NOC 0, A, B, and C level jobs. Students working in C level jobs can only be eligible under the new PEQ rules if their work experience is related to their program of study in Quebec.
Work experience acquired during a mandatory internship in a program of study will also be counted, up to a maximum of three months.