Quebec makes reforms, eases the terms for PEQ

Quebec has introduced some important measures to ease recent changes to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). These measures were announced on June 9, 2020.

These significant measures in Canada immigration include:

• A transitional clause introduced for international students now in Quebec.
• The new work experience requirements softened for some categories of international students.
• The proposed experience requirement for TFWs (Temporary Foreign Workers) reduced from 3 years to 2 years.

The changes proposed earlier for students and TFWs were due to take effect on July 22, 2020. But they were further reformed following widespread student protests and objection from Quebec universities.

The reforms to the PEQ that have come to be opposed so much were introduced in May 2020 by the then immigration minister for Quebec, Simone Jolin-Barette. The current immigration minister Nadine Girault has taken steps to make the changes to those proposals for PEQ.

The notable changes made now include:

• A proposed target time for processing of 6 months
• Level 4 French language proficiency for spouses of principal applicants
• Narrowing the definition of what is approved as proof of French language skills

The MIFI (Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration) has also introduced a third pilot program in the proposal for the food processing sector. This will go with the pilots for technology workers and orderlies revealed in the announcement made initially.

As per MIFI’s transitional measure, international students who are already in Quebec will qualify for PEQ under the conditions in effect before the implementation of the new regulation. It applies to those who have already got an eligible qualification or will get one before 31 December 2020.

The mandatory work experience for international students who hold a vocational diploma has been reduced to 18 months. Also, internships as part of the study program up to a maximum of 3 months of a full-time job is considered to be counted in for eligibility.

The work experience required of TFWs will now be set at 24 months. In addition, there will be 3 new immigration pilot programs that target the need of workers willing to work in Canada in specific sectors namely:

• Food processing
• Information technology, artificial intelligence, and cinema

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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