What Are the Updated Requirements for the Quebec Experience Program?

1.5 minute read

"The Quebec government recently introduced new changes to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Starting July 22, 2021, accompanying spouses of applicants to the PEQ will be required to meet the language proficiency requirements for French. The accompanying spouse of the PEQ applicant will be required to score at least a level 4 on the Quebec Scale of Proficiency in French for Adult Immigrants to demonstrate language proficiency."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Aug 21, 2021

The Quebec government recently introduced new changes to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Starting July 22, 2021, accompanying spouses of applicants to the PEQ will be required to meet the language proficiency requirements for French. The accompanying spouse of the PEQ applicant will be required to score at least a level 4 on the Quebec Scale of Proficiency in French for Adult Immigrants to demonstrate language proficiency.

What Documents Will Be Required to Demonstrate French Language Proficiency for the PEQ?

Spouses of PEQ applicants will be required to submit the following documentation to demonstrate French language proficiency:

A final transcript stating successful completion of at least a 3-year full-time study program in the French language at the secondary or post-secondary level
A document from a professional body such as a license to practice
A final transcript attesting to successful completion of a French-language exam issued by Québécois de la langue française for professional orders;
Attestation to completion of French test results such as Test d'Évaluation de Français pour le Canada (TEF), Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) or Test d'Evaluation de Français Adapté au Québec (TEFAQ)

Principal applicants to the PEQ will be required to score at least a level 7 on the Quebec Scale of Proficiency in French for Adult Immigrants.

What Other Changes Were Made to the Quebec Experience Class (PEQ)?

Recently, the PEQ was divided into two separate streams, one for international graduates and one for temporary foreign workers. If the spouse of the primary applicant who applied for the Foreign Worker Stream (PEQ) had a valid work permit on Jul 21, 2021, they will not be affected by the change in the language proficiency requirement. The PEQ was revamped in 2020 and an updated version of the program was released later that year in July 2020.

The PEQ program provides an expedited pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and international students who are already residing in Quebec.