Quebec to reopen PEQ immigration program for two years
Quebec’s government announced on May 5 that the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) will be reinstated for a limited two-year period after its closure on November 19, 2025.
The decision was outlined during Premier Christine Fréchette’s inaugural address to the National Assembly, marking a policy shift affecting foreign workers and international graduates already living in the province.
The PEQ has historically served as a direct pathway to permanent residence for candidates with Quebec-based work or study experience, making its return significant within the province’s immigration system.
- Quebec will reopen the PEQ program for a two-year period
- The program was previously closed on November 19, 2025
- Announcement was made on May 5 in the National Assembly
- No reopening date or eligibility criteria have been released
- PEQ previously served graduates and temporary foreign workers
- Quebec continues to maintain an annual cap of 45,000 permanent residents
Reopening of a major immigration pathway
The Programme de l’expérience québécoise is set to return after a full closure that lasted several months, following earlier suspensions of its streams in 2024 and 2025.
Premier Christine Fréchette confirmed that Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration will oversee the relaunch, although operational details have not yet been disclosed.
Authorities did not specify when applications will resume, how candidates will be selected, or whether any structural adjustments will be introduced compared with the previous version of the program.
Focus on French-speaking and established residents
Government statements indicate that the reopening is intended to support individuals who already have French-language ability and are integrated into Quebec society.
The announcement emphasized the importance of predictability for residents who have developed ties to the province through employment or education.
This positioning aligns with Quebec’s broader immigration approach, which prioritizes linguistic integration and local experience in selection decisions.
Background: closure of the PEQ in 2025
The PEQ officially ceased operations on November 19, 2025, as part of a broader restructuring of Quebec’s immigration programs under the province’s multi-year planning framework.
Prior to its closure, the program had already undergone phased suspensions. The graduate stream stopped accepting applications on October 31, 2024, followed by the temporary foreign worker stream on June 25, 2025.
The shutdown marked a notable change, as it removed a long-standing pathway that had enabled thousands of applicants with local experience to transition to permanent residence.
Role of the PEQ before its closure
Before being discontinued, the PEQ was widely used by two main groups:
- International students graduating from recognized Quebec institutions
- Temporary foreign workers employed in the province
Its structure allowed eligible individuals to apply for permanent residence through a streamlined process, often centred on verified work or study experience and demonstrated French proficiency.
The program’s accessibility made it a central component of Quebec’s immigration system for candidates already contributing to the provincial economy.
Current immigration framework in Quebec
Following the PEQ closure, the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) became the primary immigration pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Quebec.
The PSTQ uses a points-based system to assess candidates based on factors such as education, work experience, age, and knowledge of French.
French-language ability remains a key selection factor, reflecting Quebec’s legislative and cultural mandate to protect and promote the French language.
Immigration caps and planning targets
Quebec’s immigration levels are guided by its 2026–2029 Immigration Plan, which set a maximum intake of 45,000 permanent residents annually.
This reduced threshold represented a scaling back from previous levels and was introduced alongside broader efforts to manage temporary resident volumes across Canada.
The province retains significant authority over its immigration selection processes through longstanding agreements with the federal government.
Government position on reception capacity
In her address, Premier Fréchette reiterated that Quebec’s capacity to receive newcomers remains constrained by economic, cultural, and linguistic considerations.
She stated that limits on public resources, combined with the need to support French-language integration, continue to shape immigration targets.
The government has consistently framed immigration planning within the context of maintaining balance between intake levels and available infrastructure.
Federal collaboration on asylum seekers
The Premier also raised the issue of asylum seekers, calling for a more even distribution of arrivals across provinces.
She indicated that Quebec expects increased federal participation in both relocation efforts and reimbursement of provincial costs associated with reception services.
This position reflects ongoing discussions between Quebec and federal authorities regarding responsibility-sharing in immigration and asylum systems.
Uncertainty around program details
At the time of the announcement, no official criteria had been released regarding eligibility for the reopened PEQ.
Key aspects that remain undefined include application timelines, processing procedures, and potential caps or prioritization categories.
It is also unclear whether both former streams—graduates and temporary foreign workers—will return in their previous formats or be modified.
Comparison with other provincial programs
Provincial immigration systems vary across Canada, with each jurisdiction operating its own selection streams within federal frameworks.
For example, programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program use structured assessments to identify candidates aligned with local labour market needs, supported by tools like the Manitoba PNP points calculator.
Quebec’s system remains distinct due to its additional autonomy and its emphasis on French-language requirements.
Timeline of recent developments
- October 31, 2024: PEQ graduate stream suspended
- June 25, 2025: Temporary foreign worker stream suspended
- November 19, 2025: Full closure of the PEQ
- May 5, 2026: Announcement of two-year reopening
This sequence highlights a transition period in which Quebec adjusted its immigration intake and program availability before confirming the PEQ’s return.
Public relevance of the reopening
The reintroduction of the PEQ affects individuals already residing in Quebec who have established ties through work or education.
It also reflects broader adjustments within the province’s immigration policy framework as authorities balance integration, labour needs, and capacity considerations.
Further operational details are expected to clarify how the program will function during the announced two-year period.
The reopening follows the program’s closure on November 19, 2025, and marks a defined, time-limited reinstatement within Quebec’s immigration system.