If you want to live in Quebec with your family, learn French!
French is now required for both spouses: changes to the Quebec Experience.
Effective July 22, 2021, spouses or common-law spouses included in applications submitted under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will be required to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of French spoken. The minimum level of French proficiency is level 4 on the Quebec Adult Immigrant French Proficiency Scale or its equivalent.
To comply with this requirement, both spouses will have to fill in a declaration of knowledge of French and submit it together with one of the following supporting documents
1. a final transcript attesting the successful completion of at least 3 years of secondary or higher education in French
2. Certificate of successful examination in French "Office québécois de la langue française".
3. certificates or diplomas certifying completion of French, e.g. TEF, TCF or TEFAQ.
4. Certificate of successful completion of a French course at a recognized Quebec educational institution.
The Province of Quebec Immigration Service recalls that the demonstration of a minimum level of conversational French is an essential component of all applications to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Principal applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum of Level 7 on the Quebec Adult Immigrant French Proficiency Scale.
Recent changes to the PEQ
PEQ is a popular immigration program that provides rapid access to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers and foreign students residing in Quebec. Typically, these people already have at least a basic or intermediate level of French and have been able to integrate into society. The program is divided into 2 streams:
1. Skilled Temporary Foreign Worker (Travailleur étranger temporaire) — for temporary foreign workers. The change in the language requirements will not affect the spouses of these applicants if they already had a valid work permit issued before 21 July 2020: their spouses do not need to demonstrate knowledge of the French language, regardless of when they apply.
2. Quebec Graduate (Diplômé du Québec) — for foreign graduates from Quebec universities. The de facto spouse included in the application of a foreign graduate who has completed an academic program before December 31, 2020, is not required to demonstrate proficiency in oral French.
It is possible to learn French in Quebec through free français services, offered on a permanent or incomplete basis, while receiving a subsidy.
