The Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ)

To immigrate to Québec and obtain permanent Canadian residency, you must first obtain a Québec selection certificate (CSQ) from the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

If you are applying for a CSQ as a skilled worker, you must choose between the Québec Experience Program (PEQ) and the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

Important

Effective July 22, 2020, new selection conditions apply to candidates who submit an application under the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program). Transitional measures are also planned. Visit the MIFI’s website to learn more.

Effective January 26, 2021, Québec Experience Program (PEQ) applicants must use the Arrima online platform to submit their applications for permanent selection, upload supporting documents and pay the application fees.

Québec experience program (PEQ) – Québec graduate

International students who have earned a PEQ-eligible Québec diploma, have 12 to 18 months’ full-time work experience in Québec (depending on the type of diploma), and are currently employed full-time in Canada can apply for a CSQ in the skilled worker category. There is no selection grid for this program, but applicants must meet certain conditions. Applications are processed within 6 months. Students must have graduated to apply. Note that advanced intermediate knowledge of spoken French is required to obtain a CSQ through the PEQ.

Québec experience program (PEQ) – Temporary foreign worker

This program is for you if you currently hold a job at level 0, A or B under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) and you have held a job that meets the program requirements on a full-time basis, in Québec, for at least 24 months during the 36 months preceding the submission of your application. There is no selection grid for this program, but applicants must meet certain conditions. Applications are processed within 6 months. You must also demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of spoken French. Work experience acquired as part of a youth exchange program can count.

Regular program – Foreign students in Québec

Unlike PEQ applications, Regular Skilled Worker Program applications are analyzed using a selection grid that includes factors and criteria like age, education, experience and language skills. Applicants get points for each factor that they meet, which are tallied up to reach a certain passing score. You must declare your interest in applying for temporary selection under this program via Arrima to be invited by the provincial government to apply for a CSQ. It is important to start early.

Create your future in Québec after your studies

The MIFI’s Staying permanently in Québec after your studies website explains the immigration process that you have to follow in order to stay in Québec after your studies.

MIFI also offers a free online integration service for those who received their CSQ in order to help them integrate with ease.

Contact Accompagnement Québec

Accompagnement Québec is a free personalized service offered to immigrants. Whether you are in Québec or abroad, it is designed to facilitate your integration and participation in the Francophone community in Québec.

There are integration assistance agents from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) available in all regions of Québec.

These agents can assess your immediate or future needs and help you prepare a customized action plan so that you can:

• Come to live in Québec (Settlement)
• Discover Québec society (Community life)
• Learn French (Francization)
• Join the labour force (Employment)
• Be better informed about the immigration steps (Immigration procedures)

To learn more, go to the Government of Québec website. Are you planning to register? Don’t forget to mention that you have been referred by Montréal International.