What are my immigration options now that the PEQ is closed?
Foreign nationals who may have lost their chance to immigrate to Canada through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) are not without other immigration options.
On 5 June, Quebec’s immigration authority suspended the PEQ–worker stream pathway to permanent residency (PR) until November 30, 2025.
Foreign nationals who have not yet applied through the PEQ will need to pursue other pathways to PR.
This article will cover different provincial and federal immigration options that skilled workers and international graduates might consider.
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
Immigrating to settle in Quebec
Foreign nationals intending to settle in Quebec can pursue PR through Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), which is divided into four streams:
Stream Occupation Work experience French Education Additional requirements
Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills FÉER* 0, 1, or 21 year within the past 5 years- Oral: NCLC 7+.
– Written: NCLC5+.
– Spouse-Spoken: NCLC 4+.Qualifying one-year diplomaN/A.
Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills FÉER category 3, 4, or 5At least 2 years of paid work experience in last 5 yearsSpoken level 5+.
Spouse: spoken level 4+. Qualifying degreeN/A
Stream 3: Regulated professions Must be listed on Québec’s official List of Regulated ProfessionsN/ADepends on FEER level of occupationN/AAuthorization to practice occupation in Quebec
Stream 4: Exceptional talent Must show exceptional expertise in main occupationAt least 3 years of work experience in last 5 yearsN/AN/AMust be accomplished per Quebec standards, or endorsed by Ministerial partner
*FÉER is the French language term for the Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system, used to categorize jobs by the level of experience, education, and training required to perform the role. This scale is contained within Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. TEER / FÉER 0 jobs require the most preparation, while TEER / FÉER 5 jobs require the least.
All Quebec immigration streams require candidates to sign a provincial values attestation.
If you’re open to settling outside Quebec, here are some additional PR pathways to consider:
Pathways available to French and English speakers – settling outside Quebec
Pathway Required Work experience Minimum language proficiency Job offer required? Summary of other key eligibility criteria
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 1 year skilled Canadian work experience CLB/NCLC 7 or 5 No N/A
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)1 year of work experience CLB/NCLC 7 No Must accrue at least 67 points on selection grid
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)2 years of work experience in an eligible NOC CLB/NCLC 4 or 5 Yes* *Job offer may be substituted with a Certificate of qualification
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)One year of work experience Depends on level of job offer Yes Job offer must be from an approved employer in a participating community
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)One year of work experience CLB/NCLC level 4 or 5 Yes Job offer must be from a designated employer
Some graduates exempt from work experience requirement
New Brunswick Express Entry: Employment in New Brunswick12 months of full-time, non-seasonal work CLB/NCLC level 7 YesMust be currently working full-time for a New Brunswick employer
New Brunswick Express Entry: New Brunswick InterestsMust meet federal Express Entry requirements CLB/NCLC level 7 No Student work experience may count towards the work experience requirement
Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities StreamMust meet work experience requirements of the CEC or the FSWP CLB/NCLC 7 No Work experience must be in the same NOC as declared in Express Entry profile
Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades streamAt least 1 year of cumulative paid full-time CLB/NCLC level 5 No Must be currently residing in Ontario with valid work status
Ontario Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI)Must meet the work experience requirement for any OINP: Employer job offer stream Must meet the language requirement for any OINP: Employer job offer stream Yes Must have a full-time job offer from one of four participating communities:
– Lanark County.
– Leeds and Grenville.
– Sarnia-Lambton.
– Thunder Bay.
Pathways only available to French-speakers – settling outside Quebec
Pathway Required Work experience Minimum language proficiency Job offer required? Summary of other key eligibility criteria
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) One year of skilled work experience NCLC level 5 Yes Job offer must be from an approved employer in a participating community
Francophone Minority Student Pilot (TR to PR pathway) N/A NCLC level 5 No Must be a citizen of an eligible country
Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Must meet work experience requirements for either the CEC or the FSWP French: NCLC 7
English: CLB 6 No Must have legal status in Canada if applying from within
Note: The above table and corresponding sections only consider Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams from New Brunswick and Ontario to narrow down the likeliest streams to yield success for PEQ applicants.
Both these provinces border Quebec. New Brunswick, being Canada’s only officially bilingual province, while Ontario has the highest immigrant nomination allocation of any province in Canada. Both provinces feature Express Entry-aligned streams as well.
Quebec-based option: Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)
At the same press conference where the pause on the PEQ was announced, Minister Roberge also proclaimed the resumption of Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) in July of this year.
The PSTQ is Quebec’s equivalent to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and allows qualified foreign nationals an avenue to obtain permanent residence (PR).
Quebec issues invitations to apply for Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) under the PSTQ through the Arrima expression of interest system, which the province uses to invite top-ranking candidates.
As many of the foreign nationals who were planning to apply for PR through the PEQ had Canadian work experience, and a Canadian education, they may be well suited to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) through the PSTQ.
Who is eligible to apply through the PSTQ?
PSTQ candidates must meet the following requirements:
Be 18 years of age or older.
Intend to settle and take up employment in Quebec.
Candidate cannot be employed by a company over which they have legal or de facto control.
Cannot work in an ineligible sector:
Payday loans, cheque cashing, or pawnbroking; or
The production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services related to the sex industry, such as nude or erotic dancing, escort services, or erotic messages.
Sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract attesting to the candidate’s capacity to provide for themselves and any accompanying family members.
Obtain the “Attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values) as expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (accompanying family members over 18 must also obtain a copy).
Meet the requirements of one of the PSTQ’s four streams.
If applicable, Candidates must also comply with any conditions for returning to their home country imposed by a scholarship in Québec.
The PSTQ contains four streams for skilled workers, each with its own specifications and additional eligibility criteria.
Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
This stream targets individuals with advanced skills and education related to in-demand professions in Quebec.
To be eligible, candidates must must meet the following requirements:
Have full-time or part-time equivalent skilled work experience within the past 5 years:
Up to 3 months of this work experience may be internship experience.
Hold a qualifying educational credential.
Type of credential: Must be equivalent to DEP, ASP, AEC, DEC, or university degree, or it must lead directly to a profession.
Length of study program: Must must have been gained through a study program of at least 900 hours of instruction (at the secondary or college level), or through at least 30 credits (if obtained at a Quebec university).
Be able to practice their profession in Quebec without a license.
Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
This stream is for individuals with work experience in semi-skilled or manual occupations.
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
*Have at least 2 years of eligible work experience.
Be able to work in the occupation in Quebec without a license
Hold a diploma that is meets at least one of the following requirements:
Is equivalent to a high school diploma, DEP, ASP, or ACS.
Required at least 600 hours of instruction (at the secondary level), or at least 900 hours of instruction (at the college level college) if completed in Quebec.
*At least one year of work experience must have been gained in Quebec. Candidates can count up to one year of experience outside Quebec if that experience is in the same field as their occupation (same first digit of NOC code). Candidates can count up to three months of internship experience.
Stream 3: Regulated professions
This stream is intended for individuals whose occupation requires formal licensing in Quebec.
Candidates must apply under this stream if their entire occupation is regulated. If only some practices are regulated, candidates may also be eligible under streams 1 or 2.
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
*Hold a license or authorization to practice their occupation in Quebec.
Meet the minimum French proficiency requirement:
FÉER 0, 1, 2: Oral Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7+; written CLB 5+.
FÉER 3, 4, 5: Oral CLB 5+.
Spouse: Oral CLB 4+.
*Candidates must provide proof of full or partial recognition from the relevant regulatory authority. All license types are accepted (regular, restrictive, temporary, probationary). The recognition must be valid within the past five years. Proof of partial recognition indicates that the regulatory authority recognizes part of the candidate’s training or education as equivalent to the necessary training needed by professionals in Quebec.
Stream 4: Exceptional talent
This stream recognizes candidates with outstanding achievements in strategic fields.
Candidates must demonstrate exceptional contributions relevant to Quebec’s priorities.
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Have at least 3 years of work experience in the last five years:
Up to 3 months of eligible internship experience may be counted.
Meet at least one of the following conditions:
Have an achievement listed on Quebec’s official list of exceptional accomplishments; or
Obtain a positive opinion from one of the following recognized ministerial partners (based on the field):
Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE) – Strategic economic sectors.
Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ) – Research.
Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec (CALQ) – Arts.
Institut national du Sport du Québec (INS) – Sports.
Pathways open to French and English speakers: Federal immigration options
Express Entry
For those with an intent to settle in a province or territory other than Quebec, Canada’s federal Express Entry system may be a good route to PR.
This is because the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is used to assess candidates and rank their viability to settle in Canada, highly values characteristics that these foreign nationals may likely have, such as
Canadian work experience;
Canadian education; and
French language skills.
In addition to this, candidates can also be picked in more selective category-based selections based on their professional work experience or their strong French ability.
French proficiency draws have featured some of the lowest CRS score cut-offs of any Express Entry draw, meaning that former PEQ candidates may be excellently placed to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with these considerations.
To pursue PR through Express Entry, you must qualify for at least one of the three flagship federal immigration programs:
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); or
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Each of these programs features its own eligibility criteria.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The CEC is for individuals with skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years.
Work Experience
Candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. This experience must have been obtained within 36 months of the application date.
To count toward CEC, the work experience must have been gained as an employee (not self-employed) and cannot have been gained while enrolled as a full-time student.
Language Requirements
If the work experience is in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, candidates need a minimum CLB 7 in all four language abilities.
If the work experience is in a TEER 2 or 3 occupation, candidates need a minimum CLB 5 in all four language abilities.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The FSWP is for skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience and education.
Work Experience
Must have one year of continuous, full-time or equivalent paid work experience:
Work must have occurred in the last 10 years.
Experience must be in an occupation under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Unlike the CEC, self-employed work experience can count for the FSWP, and work experience gained while enrolled as a full-time student can count toward the minimum requirements.
Language requirements
Minimum CLB 7 in English or French in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
Education requirements
Candidates must have either:
A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree); or
A foreign credential with a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
Selection factors
In addition to the above, candidates must score at least 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP selection grid, which assesses education, language skills, work experience, age, arranged employment, and adaptability.
Settlement funds
Candidates must meet settlement funds requirements, unless they are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
These settlement funds are detailed below:
Number of family membersFunds you need (CAD)
1$14,690
2$18,288
3$22,483
4$27,297
5$30,690
6$34,917
7$38,875
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member$3,958
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The FSTP is for skilled tradespeople with work experience and/or a qualification in a trade.
Work Experience
Candidates must have two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in a skilled trade within the past five years.
Job offer or certification
Candidates must have either:
A valid job offer from one or two Canadian employers for at least one year of continuous, paid, full-time work; or
A certificate of qualification* in their skilled trade issued by a provincial, territorial, or federal authority in Canada.
Language requirements
Candidates must have language ability equivalent to
Minimum CLB 5 in speaking and listening; and
Minimum CLB 4 in reading and writing.
*A certificate of qualification demonstrates that a foreign national is authorized to work in a skilled trade occupation in Canada. It confirms that the individual has either passed the required certification exam or fulfilled all the criteria necessary to practice their trade. Most trades in Canada are regulated at the provincial or territorial level, but a few are regulated at the federal level.
Settlement funds
Candidates must meet settlement funds requirements, unless they are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
These settlement fund requirements are identical to those for the FSWP.
NOTE: Under all Express Entry programs, one year (or 12 months) of work experience in Canada is defined as a minimum of 1,560 hours of skilled employment (at a maximum of 30 hours/week). These hours can have been accumulated through full-time or part-time work.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The AIP is an employer-driven program designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) hire qualified foreign nationals for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
To be eligible, candidates must be either
A recent graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada; or
A skilled worker with relevant experience.
Job offer requirements
You must have a job offer from a designated employer, and you and your employer must have that job offer endorsed by the province.
Work experience requirements
You must have at least 1,560 hours of paid work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 occupation (equivalent to 1 year full-time) within the last 5 years, unless exempt as a recent graduate from an Atlantic post-secondary institution.
Education requirements
Your required level of education depends on the TEER level of your job offer:
Job Offer TEER Level Minimum Education Required
TEER 0 or 1 Canadian post-secondary credential of at least a year in length, or foreign equivalent with ECA
TEER 2, 3, or 4 Canadian high school diploma or foreign equivalent with ECA
Language requirements
Your language level depends on the TEER category of your job offer:
TEER Level Minimum Required
TEER 0–3 CLB/NCLC 5
TEER 4 CLB/NCLC 4
Settlement funds
You must show you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada. The required amount depends on the candidate’s family size.
Exception: You don’t need to show proof of funds if you’re already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.
Pathways open to French and English speakers: Provincial immigration pathways
Candidates to the PEQ may also want to consider immigration pathways through other provinces.
Note that these pathways carry the “intent to reside” expectation that successful applicants will settle in the province that has nominated them.
New Brunswick Express Entry: Employment in New Brunswick
The Employment in New Brunswick stream is for skilled foreign nationals in the Express Entry pool who are currently living and working full time in New Brunswick in an eligible occupation.
To be eligible for this pathway, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Have a valid Express Entry profile and job seeker code.
Be working full time (≥30 hours/week) in a non-seasonal position for a New Brunswick employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.*
Have been employed full-time in New Brunswick for the past 12 months.
Have lived in New Brunswick for the past 12 months with a valid temporary status.
Demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to a CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities.
Possess at minimum a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential with an ECA.
Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds (unless exempt).
Show intent to reside in New Brunswick.
Be between 19 and 55 years old.
Work experience requirements
Candidates must have at least 1 year of continuous, paid work (1,560 hours) in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, acquired within the past 10 years.
Work done while studying may be eligible if it meets all other criteria. Self-employment may be accepted with supporting third-party documentation.
If the job is regulated or designated, you must have held the appropriate license or certificate during the work period.
Current employment requirements
Candidates must:
Be working for a New Brunswick employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation; and
Have a base wage that is competitive, as defined by Job Bank and consistent with the employer’s pay structure.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based hires must be earning a wage equal to or greater than the LMIA-stated wage.
For licensed roles (e.g., transport truck drivers), specific provincial licenses (e.g., Class 1) are required;
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
New Brunswick Express Entry – New Brunswick Interests
The New Brunswick Interests stream is for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who have received a Letter of Interest (LOI) from Immigration New Brunswick (INB). This pathway is designed for individuals with a strong connection to New Brunswick and skills that align with the province’s labour market needs.
To be eligible for this pathway, candidates must
Have a valid Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code;
Have received a Letter of Interest from ImmigrationNB through their Express Entry profile;
Demonstrate language proficiency with at least CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities;
Possess at minimum a Canadian high school diploma or recognized foreign equivalent with an ECA;
Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds, unless exempt;
Show an intent to live and work in New Brunswick permanently; and
Be between 19 and 55 years old.
Letter of Interest requirement
Candidates may receive a Letter of Interest from ImmigrationNB if any of the following apply:
They or their spouse has a close family member living in New Brunswick (Canadian citizen or permanent resident, residing in NB for at least 12 months);
They have attended an official NB information session or international recruitment event within the past 12 months; or
They are Francophone and their primary occupation is in demand in New Brunswick.
Skilled work experience requirements
Candidates must have at least 1 year of continuous, paid skilled work (1,560 hours), obtained within the past 10 years, in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
Work experience gained while studying may count if it meets all criteria under Express Entry.
Ontario Express Entry – Human Capital Priorities Stream
The Human Capital Priorities Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows the province to nominate skilled workers from the federal Express Entry pool who have the qualifications and experience to contribute to Ontario’s labour market and economy.
To be eligible for this stream, candidates must
Have a valid Express Entry profile;
Have received a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the OINP;
Be eligible under the FSWP or the CEC;
Demonstrate language proficiency at CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities;
Hold a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree or a recognized foreign equivalent with an ECA;
Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds; and
Show an intent to reside in Ontario.
Work experience requirements
Candidates must choose to be assessed under one of the following Express Entry programs:
Option 1: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Work experience under this option must be:
In the same primary NOC as listed in the Express Entry profile; and
Have been completed within the last 5 years.
Option 2: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you’ve been invited under a targeted draw, at least 6 months of your work experience must be in the primary occupation listed on your Express Entry profile.
Physicians with experience in NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102 may count self-employed work experience.
Ontario Express Entry – Skilled Trades Stream
The Skilled Trades Stream under the OINP allows Ontario to nominate candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who have work experience in eligible skilled trades occupations, and who are currently living and working in Ontario.
To be eligible, candidates must
Have a valid Express Entry profile under the CEC;
Have at least 1 year of cumulative paid full-time work experience in Ontario in an eligible skilled trade;
Reside in Ontario and hold a valid work permit;
Show proof of sufficient settlement funds; and
Have the intent to live in Ontario permanently.
Certification / Licensing requirements
If the trade is compulsory in Ontario, candidates must
Hold a valid certificate or licence at the time of application; and
Have held it during the entire work experience period, used to meet eligibility.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
The RCIP is a federal immigration pilot designed to help rural Canadian communities attract and retain skilled workers by connecting them with designated local employers.
To be eligible for this program, candidates must
Hold a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the 14 participating rural communities, and have their job offer endorsed by a local economic development organiation;
Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of relevant paid work experience within the past three years, or meet the criteria for the recent graduate exemption;
Demonstrate language proficiency by completing an approved language test;
Possess a Canadian educational credential or a recognized foreign equivalent; and
Show proof of sufficient financial resources to support themself and their family.
Work experience requirements
Candidates’ experience must meet certain requirements depending on the TEER of their job offer:
Job TEER Level Required Work Experience TEER
TEER 0 or 1 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
TEER 2 TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4
TEER 3 or 4 TEER 2, 3, or 4
TEER 5 Must match the same 5-digit NOC code
Healthcare Exception TEER 1 experience in NOC 31301 accepted with a job offer in TEER 3 (NOC 33102) or TEER 4 (NOC 44101)
Work experience exemption for recent graduates
Candidates may be exempt from the work requirement if they
Studied full-time in person at a public post-secondary institution in the community;
Received an eligible credential in the last 18 months; and
Have lived in the community for at least 16 of the past 24 months (or for the length of their entire program, for master’s graduates).
Settlement fund requirements
You must show that you have enough funds to settle in Canada. The amounts vary by family size:
Family Size Minimum Funds Required (CAD)
1 $7,963
2 $9,692
3 $12,069
4 $15,056
5 $17,145
6 $19,015
7 $20,884
Each additional +$1,869
Assess your eligibility for the RCIP
Ontario Regional Economic Development Immigration (REDI) Pilot
The REDI pilot is a regional initiative under the Employer Job Offer streams of the OINP.
You can be eligible for REDI if you meet the requirements and if your employer meets the REDI requirements.
It aims to help address labour shortages in rural and small communities outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) by supporting the nomination of foreign workers for permanent residence.
To be eligible, candidates must
Have a full-time and permanent job offer from an employer located in a REDI-participating community;
Meet the eligibility requirements of one of the three Employer Job Offer streams (Foreign Worker, International Student, or In-Demand Skills);
Demonstrate the intention to live in the community where the job is located; and
Have an Ontario nomination under a REDI-supported stream.
Participating communities
REDI supports recruitment in eligible municipalities outside the GTA, including but not limited to the following:
Lanark County.
Leeds and Grenville.
Sarnia-Lambton.
Thunder Bay.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must first qualify under one of the following OINP Employer Job Offer streams:
Foreign Worker Stream – for candidates with job offers in skilled occupations (TEER 0–3).
International Student Stream – for graduates of eligible Canadian institutions.
In-Demand Skills Stream – for candidates with job offers in high-demand, lower-skilled occupations (TEER 4–5).
Applicants must meet all base eligibility criteria of the stream they are applying under, including
A qualifying job offer that is full-time, permanent, and meets wage and NOC requirements;
Relevant work experience or education, depending on the stream;
Language proficiency if required (e.g., CLB 4 for In-Demand Skills); and
Sufficient settlement funds (unless exempt).
Pathways only available to French-speakers
If candidates have strong French language proficiency, they may also wish to apply to one of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) federal francophone pilot programs.
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)
The FCIP is a new pilot program designed for French speakers who have secured a job offer from a designated employer in one of six francophone communities.
To be eligible for this program, candidates must
Hold a job offer from an employer designated by the community, and have the job offer endorsed by a local economic development organization;
Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience within the past three years, or meet the criteria for the recent graduate exemption;
Have a minimum language proficiency of CLB 5 in all language abilities;
Possess a Canadian educational credential or a recognized foreign equivalent; and
Show proof of sufficient financial resources to support themself and their family as you settle in the community.
Candidates’ experience must meet certain requirements depending on the TEER of their job offer:
Job TEER Level Required Work Experience TEER
TEER 0 or 1 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
TEER 2 TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4
TEER 3 or 4 TEER 2, 3, or 4
TEER 5 Must match the same 5-digit NOC code
Healthcare Exception TEER 1 experience in NOC 31301 accepted with a job offer in TEER 3 (NOC 33102) or TEER 4 (NOC 44101)
Work Experience Exemption for International Students
International students may be exempt from the work experience requirement if they graduated from a public post-secondary institution in the community and meet one of the following:
For programs of 2 years or longer:
Studied full-time for the entire program;
Graduated within the past 18 months; and
Lived in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months while studying.
For master’s degrees (2 years or less):
Studied full-time for the entire degree;
Graduated within the past 18 months; and
Lived in the community for the full duration of their program.
Eligible credentials include a recognized degree, diploma, certificate, trade, or apprenticeship qualification from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community.
Settlement fund requirements
You must show that you have enough funds to settle in Canada. The amounts vary by family size:
Family Size Minimum Funds Required (CAD)
1 $7,963
2 $9,692
3 $12,069
4 $15,056
5 $17,145
6 $19,015
7 $20,884
Each additional +$1,869
Francophone Minority Community Student Pilot (FMCSP)
The FMCSP allows foreign nationals who are interested in studying at a participating Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to do so, and gives these individuals a direct path to PR, provided that they meet all eligibility criteria.
To be eligible to study under the FMCSP, you must
Be a citizen of an eligible country;
Have a letter of acceptance from a participating DLI indicating you are applying through the FMCSP;
Ensure your study program meets the pilot’s specific requirements;
Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel expenses, and living expenses for yourself and any accompany family members;
Be living outside of Canada at the time of application;
Undergo a medical examination, if required;
Obtain a police certificate, if required; and
Provide proof that your French skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) meet or exceed level 5 on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.
To be eligible to apply for PR under the stream, candidates must
Be living in Canada, outside Quebec;
Hold valid temporary resident status at the time of application; and
Have earned an eligible degree or diploma while participating in the FMCSP.
Ontario Express Entry – French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream under the OINP allows Ontario to nominate French-speaking candidates in the federal Express Entry pool with strong English abilities and skilled work experience.
Applicants must qualify under either the FSWP or the CEC.
To be eligible, candidates under either program must
Have a valid Express Entry profile under either FSWP or CEC;
Demonstrate strong French language skills (CLB 7+) and adequate English language skills (CLB 6+);
Have the required work experience, education, and settlement funds; and
Intend to reside permanently in Ontario.
Work experience requirements
Candidates must choose to be assessed under one of two federal programs. Under either program work experience must be a minimum of 1,560 hours over a period of at least 12 months.
Volunteer work and co-op placements do not count towards the work experience requirement.
Work in licensed occupations in Ontario only counts after proper provincial licensing.
If applying under the FSWP, candidates must have at least 1 year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
Work experience must
Have been gained within the last 5 years; and
Be in the primary NOC code listed in your Express Entry profile.
Self-employment is permitted if verified by third-party documentation. Internships and unpaid work do not count.
If applying under the CEC, candidates must have at least 1 year of cumulative full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in Canada in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
This work experience must be:
Within the last 3 years; and
Must have maintained legal status in Canada.
Self-employment is not eligible, unless you are a physician in NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102.
Education requirements
Under either stream, candidates must:
Have a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, or an equivalent foreign credential.
Foreign credentials must be supported by an ECA, no more than 5 years old
Nurses may be exempt from the educational requirement if
Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in the General, Extended, or Temporary class; and
Their primary NOC falls under 31300, 31301, 31302, or 32101.
Any ECA(s) must be shared directly with the OINP.
