Quebec’s PEQ to Reopen July 2, Prioritizing Applicants Who Were Eligible When It Closed

Immigration Minister François Bonnardel announced the details of the program’s return during a June 10 news conference at Quebec’s National Assembly. PEQ will initially only accept applications from candidates who were qualified for the program when it was abolished on November 19, 2025.

The announcement provides long-awaited clarity for international graduates and temporary foreign workers who have spent months navigating uncertainty after Quebec suspended and ultimately closed the program. Many had planned their studies, careers, and immigration journeys around the expectation that PEQ would remain available.

Here’s what temporary residents in Quebec need to know about the reopening of the PEQ, who may be eligible, and the new priority given to previously eligible applicants.

What Has Changed for PEQ?

During a June 10 news conference at Quebec’s National Assembly, Immigration Minister François Bonnardel released long-awaited details on the return of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ).

PEQ will open on July 2, 2026, at 8:30am, conducting periodic intakes until July 2028, at which point the program will close permanently.

PEQ’s first intake period will run from July 2, 2026, until October 31, 2026. This first intake period will only accept applications from candidates who were eligible to apply for PEQ when the program was abolished on November 19, 2025.

Following the first intake period, Quebec will pause to assess application volumes and interest before announcing the details of the next intake. It is possible that conditions could change between intake rounds.

Both PEQ Streams will Re-open

To be eligible under the Workers Stream, candidates must have acquired, by November 19, 2025, at least two years of eligible work experience in Quebec within the previous three years.

To be eligible under the Graduate Stream, candidates must have obtained an eligible diploma in Quebec as of November 19, 2025.

All PEQ applicants must demonstrate advanced-intermediate French-language proficiency. Applicants must also ensure they meet all the program’s selection requirements to be selected permanently and obtain their Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), including the requirement to reside in Quebec.

What is the PEQ?

The Quebec Experience Program or « Programme de l’expérience québécoise » (PEQ) allows eligible candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence. The program targets people living in Quebec who have worked and/or studied in the province. PEQ requires applicants to demonstrate strong French-language proficiency.

Successful applicants receive a CSQ, which allows them to apply to the federal government for permanent residence.

The PEQ has a few key requirements:

• French-language proficiency: Applicants must prove advanced-intermediate ability in French (NCLC 7 or higher). This can be demonstrated using a language test, a transcript from studies completed in French, or a license to practice from a professional order in Quebec.

• Quebec work experience: Applicants under the temporary foreign worker stream must have 24 months of eligible Quebec work experience completed within the previous three years.

• Quebec education: Applicants under the international student stream must have a degree or diploma from a Quebec institution in a program on the list of PEQ Eligible Areas of Training.

The exact requirements for PEQ are more detailed than this. Please refer to our complete PEQ guide for more information.

Historically, the PEQ has been one of the province’s most popular immigration pathways because it provides a relatively straightforward route to permanent residence for French-speaking workers and graduates who have already demonstrated their ability to live, work, and study in Quebec.

How Many PEQ Spots Are Available?

Minister Bonnardel did not announce the target number of PEQ applications that will be processed. However, Bonnardel did state that there will be no ceiling to the number of applications accepted during the first intake, from July 2 through October 31, 2026. He confirmed that all applications received will be processed.

That being said, the government has indicated that PEQ admissions will fit into Quebec’s existing immigration levels plan. The province’s 2026 immigration levels plan aims to admit approximately 29,000 new permanent residents through economic programs. This includes both PEQ and the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), but it’s unclear exactly how many spots will be given to each program.

Notably, many PEQ applications received in 2026 will take months to process, likely only receiving a decision in 2027.

Following the first intake period, the government will have the opportunity to assess application volumes and adjust as needed for future intakes.

Why Is Quebec Bringing PEQ Back?

Quebec first announced plans to suspend the PEQ in 2025 as part of a broader effort to reduce temporary immigration levels and reform its economic immigration system. The province planned to rely more heavily on the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) as its primary economic immigration pathway.

However, the PEQ’s closure drew criticism and protests from immigrants, employers, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and immigration stakeholders, many of whom argued that the program provided an important pathway to retain workers and graduates who were already contributing to Quebec’s economy.

On May 5, 2026, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced that the province would revive the PEQ for a two-year period. At the time, however, the government did not provide details on who would qualify or how the reopened program would operate.

The June 10 announcement provides the first detailed look at how the new PEQ will function.

What Does This Mean for International Graduates and Foreign Workers in Quebec?

For many temporary residents, today’s announcement restores an immigration pathway they had expected would remain available when they chose to study, work, or settle in Quebec. The PEQ has historically been used by international graduates and temporary foreign workers who want to transition to permanent residence after gaining experience in the province.

The closure of the program created significant uncertainty for people whose work permits were approaching expiry – and have since expired, in many cases – and who did not qualify under Quebec’s other immigration pathways.

What Should Eligible PEQ Candidates Do Now?

Candidates who believe they qualify for the reopened PEQ should carefully review the new eligibility requirements released by Quebec. If you want to apply to PEQ, prepare your application and supporting documents and submit as early as possible.

Interested candidates should confirm they meet work and/or education requirements, ensure they can demonstrate French-language proficiency, and gather the necessary information and supporting documents for their application.

If you have questions about your PEQ application, consider booking a consultation with an immigration consultant with experience preparing PEQ applications. This program will be closing permanently, so it’s more important than ever to ensure that applicants submit complete applications that clearly meet all program requirements.

As Quebec has made significant changes to its immigration programs over the past year, applicants should not assume that PEQ will be open for a full two years. If eligible, applicants should try to submit to the first possible intake.

Quebec is currently preparing for a provincial election in October 2026. This election may bring a new government, and with it, new immigration policies.