Entry into effect of the requirement regarding knowledge of spoken French for the de facto spouse or spouse included in an application to the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program)

On July 22, 2021, a new requirement will come into effect. As of this date, de facto spouses or spouses included in an application for permanent selection under the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program) must demonstrate minimum proficiency in spoken French, corresponding to Level 4 on the Échelle québécoise des compétences en français des personnes immigrantes adultes (in French) or its equivalent.

The changes to the PEQ came into effect on July 22, 2020. However, a transitional measure allowed for a period of one year before the French proficiency level requirement was applied to de facto spouses or spouses, in order to grant them enough time to continue learning French. This condition, intended to promote job integration in Québec, can be met, in particular, through the free francization services offered by the Ministère, on a full-time or part-time basis, while receiving a support allowance.
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