Québec is famously known as the “Europe of North America” – where French is considered the official language. Particularly, Québec is the province with the highest French-speaking population in Canada. So, what are the criteria for immigration to Québec? This article will share the latest Québec immigration policies in Canada, updated from 2021.

General Immigration Requirements for Québec in Canada

You need to meet the general conditions of the program and certain specific conditions to settle after graduating in Québec. To immigrate to Québec, Canada, you need to ensure the following basic criteria:

• You must respect and comply with the residency conditions.
• You intend to settle in Québec to work in a stable job.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have an intermediate level of French, equivalent to Level 7 based on the Québec French Language Proficiency Scale for immigrants –  (Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes) in French.
• You must be in a legal immigration status in Québec at the time of application.
• You must have financial self-sufficiency.
• Your legal spouse must have French communication skills at Level 4 on the Québec French Language Proficiency Scale for Adult Immigrants in French (Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes).

Post-Graduation Requirements for Immigration and Settlement in Québec

The post-graduation requirements under Québec’s accelerated PEQ immigration program include the following criteria:

1. You must have a diploma that meets the conditions for completing a certificate, college, university, or post-graduate degree with a study duration of at least 1,800 hours or 2 years or more.
2. You must have work experience in Québec according to your study program.
3. You must have stayed in Québec for at least 50% of your study program duration.

Diplomas Meeting the Requirements for Immigration to Québec

The diplomas that meet the requirements for immigration to Québec, Canada include:

1. Bachelor’s degree (university)
2. Master’s degree (including MBA)
3. Doctoral degree.
4. Technical Diploma (DCS)
5. Vocational Studies Diploma (DVS) certifying 1,800 hours of study or more
6. A combination of a Vocational Studies Diploma (DVS) and a Vocational Specialization Certificate (AVS) ensuring a study program of at least 1,800 hours.

Your diploma must also meet the following conditions:

• Within 36 months before submitting your application
• From a full-time study program
• From an educational institution in Québec

Work Experience (National Occupational Classification)

The work experience required varies depending on the type of diploma you obtained. If you received a DVS with 1,800 hours of training or an AVS, you must have work experience:

1. For at least 18 months after completing your study program
2. Full-time in a job classified at levels 0, A, B, or C according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
3. To qualify, you must also secure a full-time job in one of the following NOC levels when submitting your application:

If your job is at levels 0, A, or B, it does not need to be related to your study program. However, if your job is at level C, it must be related to the DVS you obtained in Québec. To check the information, visit Inforoute. Then select your study program name from the directory and find the Desired Occupation section.

For all other PEQ-eligible diplomas, you must have paid work experience after completing your study program:

1. For at least 12 months
2. Full-time
3. Currently working in a job at levels 0, A, or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)

Additionally, to qualify for immigration to Québec, Canada, you must have a full-time job at the same NOC levels 0, A, or B when submitting your application. This job does not necessarily need to be related to your study program. Furthermore, the work experience gained during mandatory internships for your study program can be recognized. You must have received a work permit issued by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

For full-time internships, your experience may be recognized for up to three months. For part-time internships, the recognized period corresponds to the full-time equivalent. Your non-continuous work experience may be considered in your application if it is full-time.

You are not eligible for PEQ if:

1. You have a series of conditions to return to your home country
2. You have started a new study program in Québec
3. You have stayed in Québec for less than half the time of your study program.
4. Apply for or extend your work permit

You can obtain a post-graduation work permit from the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to secure a job after graduation. This permit allows you to work for different employers. You may also be hired by a Québec employer and apply for a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Your legal spouse – who accompanies you must have communication skills in French equivalent to Level 4 on the Québec French Language Proficiency Scale for Adult Immigrants (Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes). Under certain conditions, your accompanying legal spouse may receive an Open Work Permit to work.

Moreover, you may be required to complete an interview with an immigration consultant to verify the accuracy of the information provided in your application for permanent residency selection.

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