1- Post-graduation work permit:

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The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class.

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To obtain a work permit under the PGWPP, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• have a valid study permit when applying for the work permit;

• have continuously studied full time in Canada 

• have completed and passed the program of study and received a written notification from the educational institution indicating that they are eligible to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate. 

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Applicants must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (e.g., an official letter or transcript) from the educational institution indicating that they have met the requirements for completing their program of study. 

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2- Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ)

If you wish to settle in Québec permanently and are a foreign student, a Quebec graduate or a temporary foreign worker specializing in Quebec, you can apply for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ) in the category of qualified workers. 

In particular, you must be 18 years of age or older and intend to establish yourself in Québec for the purpose of employment.

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A- PEQ – Skilled temporary foreign worker

If you are applying for a Certificat de sélection du Québec as a skilled worker, you must choose between the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program) and the regular selection program for skilled workers. 

This program applies to you if you currently hold a skilled job, if you have held a skilled job in Québec for at least 12 of the last 24 months, and if you have an advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. The job experience acquired under a youth exchange program can be taken into account.

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Conditions to satisfy as a temporary worker

You must satisfy all of the conditions of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise at the time of submission of your application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec:

• have the intention of settling in Québec to hold a job;

• have lived temporarily in Québec with the primary goal of working and have respected the conditions of your stay;

• be legally in Québec as a skilled temporary foreign worker or under a youth exchange program (for example, through a Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship permit);

• have occupied a full-time job at the management, professional or technical level for at least 12 of the 24 months preceding the submission of your application;

• occupy a full-time job at the management, professional or technical level (levels O, A or B under the National Occupational Classification) at the time of submission of your application;

• demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French;

• undertake to provide for your needs and, where applicable, those of your spouse or de facto spouse and dependent children included in your application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec, for a minimum period of 3 months;

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B- Skilled Worker Program

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This program assesses your socio-occupational characteristics based on ten factors and also takes into account the characteristics of your spouse or de facto spouse included in the application.

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Foreign student in Québec
The regular program applies to you if you are pursuing or have successfully completed a study program in Québec.

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Temporary foreign worker
The regular program applies to you if you were legally admitted to Québec as a temporary worker for one or more consecutive periods totalling at least one year.

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Youth exchange program
The regular program applies to you if you were legally admitted to Québec as a participant in a youth exchange program (for example, through a Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship permit) for one period or consecutive periods totalling at least one year and you occupied a full-time job at the time of submission of your application for a Québec selection certificate.

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Permanent residence in Canada

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After obtaining your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate), you must file a permanent residence application as a skilled worker selected by Québec to the Centralized Intake Office in Canada, in Sydney, NovaScotia.

The government of Canada decides whether or not to grant permanent resident status.

The government of Canada is responsible for statutory matters (medical examinations and security checks).

If you obtain a permanent resident visa while you are legally staying in Canada, you must present it to a Citizenship and Immigration Canada office or at an entry point into Canada (border post or airport) to have it stamped. The stamp date becomes the official date on which you obtain your permanent resident status in Canada.

 

For more information, visit the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Immigration Quebec.