Settling permanently in Québec

Application fees

• $921 - Graduate
• $197 - Partner and each dependent child

Fees in effect as of January 1, 2025. They may be modified without notice. You must pay the fees by credit card and online through the Arrima platform when you submit your application.

Processing time

The processing time is approximately 6 months.

Québec experience program (PEQ) applications must be completed entirely online through the Arrima platform. This involves submitting the application form and supporting documents as well as paying the processing fees all online.

To learn more about the Arrima platform so you can apply for a CSQ through the PEQ, we encourage you to visit the following sites:

• Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program) — Applying for permanent selection
• Support capsules [in French only]
• Frequently asked questions  [in French only]

Here are a few more details: 

• If you already have an Arrima account, you can use that account. 
• Provide scanned documents in color.
• Some apps, such as Genius Scan, let you scan documents using a smartphone or tablet. 
• Make only one PDF file for each type of document that is requested. 

At any time while MIFI is assessing your application, it may ask you for the original or certified true copy of documents you sent in. So it is important to have the original or certified true copy of documents in your possession. 

 Main eligibility requirements

At the time you apply, you must:

• Intend to settle in Québec to work as a salaried employee for a company located in Québec. This excludes employment with a company over which you exercise legal or de facto control, for example if you are self-employed or the owner, and employment in an ineligible sector.
• Be legally in Québec when you submit your application.
• Have fulfilled the requirements of your stay as an international student.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a PEQ-eligible Québec diploma (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) that you earned in the three years before you apply. Your Québec diploma is not PEQ-eligible if you completed over 50% of the study program outside Québec (there are no COVID-19 pandemic exceptions).
• Have at least a Level 7 knowledge of spoken French and a Level 5 knowledge of written French, and have studied in French. On the CSQ application form, you must sign a declaration attesting to your knowledge of French and demonstrate it. An interview or standardized French test results may be required for further verification. Your knowledge of French can be demonstrated by meeting either of these 2 criteria:
  • Have completed at least 75% of the credits in your PEQ-eligible program of study in French. Theses, dissertations, internships, and research laboratories may be completed in a language other than French. However, the 75% threshold must be met for other credits. Note that credits earned abroad (for example, during an exchange program) are included in the calculation.
  • If your PEQ-eligible program of study does not meet that criterion, you must have successfully completed at least 3 years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies entirely in French, either in Québec or abroad.
• If you include your partner in your application, they must declare and demonstrate that they have at least a Level 4 knowledge of spoken French.
• Have obtained an attestation of learning about democratic and Québec values within the time limit. If your partner/spouse and dependent children 18 years of age or older are included in your application, they also have to obtain an attestation. There are two ways to get the attestation:
  • Complete the online assessment. A few weeks or months after you submit your application for permanent selection, you will receive a message in your Arrima account inviting you to take the necessary steps to obtain it. As soon as you receive that message, you have 60 days to do the assessment.
  • Attend the Objectif Intégration information session (available through various places, including Option-travail and Centre R.I.R.E. 2000). You can attend the session before or after submitting your application for permanent selection. The attestation remains valid for two years.
• Commit to providing for your basic needs and those of your family included in your application for 3 months.
• Please note that MIFI may at any time require further proof or an interview to verify your knowledge of French or any other information provided in the application.

You are not eligible for the PEQ if:

• You hold a scholarship with a clause requiring you to return to your home country, unless you have already fulfilled that condition
• You completed over 50% of your study program outside Québec (there are no COVID-19 pandemic exceptions)
• You want to start your own business or be self-employed (for example, working for Uber or delivering for Amazon)

Université Laval documents to include with your application package are:

The proof-of-graduation documents will be available on the dates indicated on the website of the Secretary General’s Office’s [in French only]. If you have any overdue balances on your Université Laval student account (tuition fees, unpaid rent, etc.), no official documents confirming the completion of your studies will be issued to you. After your graduation date, your final transcript will be automatically mailed to the address indicated in Capsule within two to four weeks. Your transcript will likely be accompanied by your diploma.

• Diploma or certificate of achievement. At Université Laval, the certificate of achievement requested by MIFI is called an “attestation de diplôme” and is issued by the Secretary General’s Office. You must order it online [page in French only]. Please note: the digital version is not accepted by MIFI. You must scan the paper version.

• Official final transcript with the mention “grade obtenu.” You can order it online in the “Documents officiels” menu of monPortail for $9. Transcripts printed from Capsule are not accepted.

  Often, a transcript is enough to show that 75% of the credits have been earned in French. Theses, dissertations, internships, and research laboratories (and their associated credits) may be completed in a language other than French. 

  If your transcript does not show that 75% of the eligible credits have been completed in French, you can order a personalized proof of enrolment for $9. You can find the form in the “Attestation en anglais ou personnalisée” (English or personalized proof of enrolment) section of this page (in French only). In the “Type d’attestation” (proof of enrolment type) section of the form, check “Attestation d’inscription personnalisée en français” (French personalized proof of enrolment) and provide details in the box underneath.

• Letter stating the absence of a return to your native country clause: for the scholarship received from Université Laval, send an email to the Bureau des bourses et de l'aide financière at info@bbaf.ulaval.ca. Include your full name and NI in the email as well as a mention that you need this letter to apply to the PEQ.  

Form and additional information

Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program)
Application form
 

Among others, the Temporary Foreign Worker stream of the PEQ is intended for partners of international students who have an open work permit.

Main eligibility requirements

• Be at least 18 and planning to settle in Québec to work as a salaried employee.
• Be legally in Québec when you submit your application.
• Have fulfilled the requirements of your stay.
• Legally hold, and have held for at least 24 of the last 36 months, a salaried job in TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) (see our National Occupational Classification page for more information). This job must not be in an ineligible sector or for a company over which you exercise legal or de facto control (for example if you are self-employed or the owner).
• Have a minimum knowledge of spoken French (level 7).
• If you include your partner in your application, they must declare and demonstrate that they have at least a Level 4 knowledge of spoken French.
• Have obtained an attestation of learning about democratic and Québec values within the time limit. If your partner/spouse and dependent children 18 years of age or older are included in your application, they also have to obtain an attestation. There are two ways to get the attestation:
  • Complete the online assessment. A few weeks or months after you submit your application for permanent selection, you will receive an email with the necessary information. Keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder.
  • Attend the Objectif Intégration information session (available through various places, including Option-travail and Centre R.I.R.E. 2000). You can attend the session before or after submitting your application for permanent selection. The attestation remains valid for two years.
• Commit to providing for your basic needs and those of your family included in your application for 3 months.

Form and additional information
Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program)
Application form
 

The Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) is open to anyone who wishes to settle and work in Québec. It has 4 streams, based on the main occupation you intend to practise. You will need to enter that occupation in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to find its TEER (training, education, experience, and responsibilities) category and identify which stream to apply to.

To apply to the SWSP, you first need to submit a declaration of interest in Arrima. There is no cost to do so, and the declaration is valid for 1 year. Once you submit the declaration, your profile will be scored based on different criteria, such as whether you have received a validated job offer. You may then receive an invitation to apply for a CSQ under the SWSP, based on invitation criteria chosen by the government and your relative score. Then, to obtain a CSQ, you will need to meet the general requirements of the SWSP as well as the requirements specific to your stream.  

If you receive an invitation to apply, you will have 30 days to accept it, then 60 days (or one year if you are applying under Stream 3) to submit your application with all the required documents and make the payment. 

General requirements for the SWSP

• Intend to settle in Québec to work as a salaried employee for a company located in Québec. This excludes employment with a company over which you exercise legal or de facto control (e.g., self-employed, owner, etc.) and employment in an ineligible sector.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Obtain an attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values within the required timeframe. If you have included your partner or children aged 18 and older in your application, they must obtain an attestation as well. 
• Demonstrate that you can provide for your basic needs and those of the family members included in your application for 3 months.
• If applicable, have complied with the condition to return to your home country imposed by a scholarship in Québec. 

Additional requirements for individual SWSP streams

Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills

• Have a TEER category 0, 1, or 2 main occupation that does not require a licence to practise in Québec.
• Have at least 1 year of work experience in your main occupation, in or outside Québec, within the last 5 years.
• Have the required education.
• Have at least a Level 7 knowledge of spoken French and a Level 5 knowledge of written French.
• If you include your partner in your application, they must declare and demonstrate that they have at least a Level 4 knowledge of spoken French.

Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills

• Have a TEER category 3, 4, or 5 main occupation that does not require a licence to practise in Québec.
• Have at least 2 years of work experience in your main occupation within the last 5 years; at least 1 of those years of work experience must have been in Québec.
• Have the required education.
• Have at least a Level 5 knowledge of spoken French.
• If you include your partner in your application, they must declare and demonstrate that they have at least a Level 4 knowledge of spoken French.

Stream 3: Regulated professions

• Have a main profession on the Liste des professions réglementées du Ministère (PDF) (ministerial list of regulated professions; list in French only).
• Have authorization to practise your profession in Québec, or proof of partial or full recognition (PDF) of the equivalence of your training or diploma.
• If your main occupation is in TEER category 0, 1, or 2, have at least a Level 7 knowledge of spoken French and a Level 5 knowledge of written French.
• If your main occupation is in TEER category 3, 4, or 5, have at least a Level 5 knowledge of spoken French.
• If you include your partner in your application, they must declare and demonstrate that they have at least a Level 4 knowledge of spoken French.

Stream 4: Exceptional talent

• Distinguish yourself clearly in your main occupation through exceptional expertise that is likely to contribute to Québec’s prosperity.
• Have a proven track record of achievements related to your expertise.
• Have practised your main occupation for at least 3 out of the last 5 years.
• Have an achievement listed on the Liste des accomplissements du Ministère (PDF) (ministerial list of achievements; document in French only) or have obtained an opinion from one of the Ministère’s partners in one of the 4 targeted fields:
  • Strategic economic sectors
  • Research
  • Arts and culture
  • Sport

Form and further information

Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ)
Processus de présentation d’une demande (PDF)
Processus de présentation d’une demande – volet 3 (PDF) – If you have not received recognition of your qualifications (Stream 3)

The Québec government has set up pilot programs for selecting workers in specific employment sectors.

The “artificial intelligence” stream of the permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sectors has certain requirements that make it ideal for Québec Graduates.

See the government webpages to learn about the different requirements for these pilot programs:

• Summary of pilot programs (PDF)
• Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sectors
• Permanent immigration pilot program for orderlies
• Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in food processing
   

If you want to immigrate to Québec to invest, start a business, or be self-employed, you will need to apply to one of the dedicated programs. 

You have to apply online. Information about the Quebec-selected skilled workers program and the application package can be found on IRCC website.

• Within 4 to 8 months after sending your application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt of your application with your file number and instructions for communicating with the IRCC office processing your application.
• Do not try to contact IRCC or send any other documents until you have received your confirmation of receipt and file number.
• Once CIC has received your application, notify them of any:
  • Change of mailing address, telephone number, or email
  • Change in marital status (marriage, divorce, etc.)
  • Birth of a child outside Canada

You and your family members (children and spouse) — whether they are traveling with you or not —must undergo a medical exam in order to become permanent residents. IRCC will send you detailed instructions, including medical exam forms and a list of physicians in your area who are authorized to perform medical exams for immigration cases. Do not have a medical exam before submitting your application. The list of approved physicians is available at the IRCC website.

A temporary public policy for medical exams exempts many in-Canada applicants from medical requirements. For more information, go to Medical exam for permanent resident applicants.

You must submit a valid police certificate or a certified criminal record check for each country, other than Canada, in which you or your family members have lived six or more consecutive months since the age of 18. The certificate must have been issued after your last period of residence in the country in question, and it is normally valid for one year.

Detailed, up-to-date information on how to get a police certificate from every country is available at the IRCC website.

Biometrics must be collected as part of an application for permanent residence, even if you have already given them to get a study or work permit. Instructions about this will be provided to you after your case file has been opened.

The processing fee is $950 for the principal applicant and their spouse and is $260 for each dependent child. These fees must be included with your application (fees in effect in April 2024).

If your application is successful, you will need to pay the right of permanent residence fee. It is $575 for the principal applicant and their spouse (fees in effect in April 2024). You can choose to pay this fee at the beginning of your application or at the end.

The processing time is on the IRCC website.