On This Page You Will Find
- When the PEQ will reopen
- Who can apply during the first intake period
- How the reopening will be managed
- The impact on Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)
- Why the government decided to bring back the PEQ
- What happens after the temporary reopening ends
- Frequently asked questions
Quebec has confirmed it will reopen the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2, 2026, providing temporary foreign workers and Quebec graduates with a renewed pathway to permanent residence after months of uncertainty.
The announcement fulfils a commitment made by Premier Christine Fréchette earlier this year following widespread concern over the program’s suspension and eventual closure in late 2025.
The PEQ will operate for a temporary two-year period, from July 2, 2026, to July 2, 2028. However, the reopening will be carefully managed through application intake periods designed to align with Quebec’s immigration targets and processing capacity.
First Intake Period Opens July 2
The first application intake period will run from July 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. until October 31, 2026.
Both PEQ streams will be available:
- Quebec Graduates
- Temporary Foreign Workers
To qualify during this initial period, applicants must have already obtained an eligible Quebec diploma or accumulated eligible work experience under PEQ rules by November 19, 2025, the date the program was abolished.
Quebec says all complete applications meeting these criteria will be processed. Unlike some immigration streams, there will be no cap on the number of applications accepted during this first intake period.
Government Responds To Months Of Uncertainty
The reopening follows strong pressure from employers, municipalities, educational institutions and immigration stakeholders who argued that the closure of the PEQ created significant uncertainty for workers and graduates already established in Quebec.
When the previous government announced the suspension of the graduate stream and later abolished the worker stream, thousands of candidates suddenly found themselves without a clear route to permanent residence.
As immigration.ca previously reported, the decision created concern among temporary residents who had planned their futures around the PEQ, historically one of Quebec’s fastest and most predictable immigration pathways.
Immigration Minister François Bonnardel acknowledged these concerns when announcing the reopening.
He said many workers, graduates and employers had experienced months of uncertainty without a transitional measure and that the temporary reactivation would help retain well-integrated talent while respecting Quebec’s immigration targets.
Selection Conditions Remain Unchanged
One of the most significant aspects of the announcement is that eligibility requirements will remain the same as they were when the PEQ was suspended and abolished.
This means candidates who qualify under the rules that existed in November 2025 will not face new selection criteria during the temporary reopening.
The government says maintaining the previous requirements provides predictability and fairness for people who had already planned their immigration pathways under the former system.
Impact On PSTQ Invitations
Quebec has also confirmed that invitations under the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) will be reduced during the initial PEQ intake period.
The move is intended to ensure the province remains within the immigration admission levels established under its 2026–2029 immigration plan.
Until October 31, 2026, PSTQ invitations will focus primarily on:
- Candidates working in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations
- Candidates who have not yet accumulated two years of work experience
After the government assesses the number of PEQ applications received, PSTQ invitation levels will be adjusted accordingly beginning in November 2026.
Quebec says its goal is to issue a similar number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) through both the PEQ and PSTQ during the remainder of the current immigration planning period.
PSTQ Remains Quebec’s Long-Term Plan
Despite reopening the PEQ, Quebec has made clear that the measure is temporary.
The province continues to view the PSTQ as its long-term immigration selection system for skilled workers.
Since December 2025, the PSTQ has issued 14,615 invitations, including 8,693 to candidates working in occupations linked to Quebec’s priority sectors.
The government says the temporary PEQ reopening will allow it to address immediate concerns while continuing its transition toward a single permanent skilled worker selection system.
Once the PEQ closes again in July 2028, the PSTQ is expected to become Quebec’s sole pathway for selecting skilled workers for permanent immigration.
Increased Processing Capacity Planned
Alongside the reopening, Quebec says it will strengthen its processing capacity to handle incoming applications.
Officials say the additional resources will help ensure immigration targets are met while maintaining efficient processing times.
The government also hopes the phased intake approach will provide a clearer picture of application volumes and help guide future PEQ intake periods before the program closes again in 2028.
What This Means For Applicants
The announcement provides a renewed opportunity for many temporary residents who were caught in limbo when the PEQ was suspended.
For eligible graduates and workers who had already accumulated the required qualifications or work experience before November 19, 2025, the reopening restores access to one of Quebec’s most established immigration pathways.
However, uncertainty remains for individuals who arrived or became eligible after the PEQ’s closure. Quebec has not yet announced the eligibility criteria or timelines for future intake periods beyond October 2026.
Those details are expected to emerge as the government assesses demand and balances immigration levels against labour market needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Quebec Experience Program reopen?
The PEQ will reopen on July 2, 2026, and remain available until July 2, 2028. The first intake period runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026. During that time, eligible Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers can submit applications if they meet the required conditions.
Who can apply during the first intake period?
Applicants must have obtained an eligible Quebec diploma or accumulated qualifying work experience under PEQ requirements by November 19, 2025. This date is important because it was the day the program was abolished. Candidates who became eligible later may need to wait for future intake periods.
Will there be a limit on the number of applications accepted?
No. Quebec has confirmed there will be no cap during the first intake period. All applications received between July 2 and October 31, 2026, that meet the eligibility requirements will be processed according to the selection criteria in force when the program was suspended.
What happens to the PSTQ while the PEQ is open?
The PSTQ will continue operating, but invitation numbers will be reduced until October 31, 2026. During this period, invitations will focus on certain groups, including candidates in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations and those who have not yet accumulated two years of work experience.
Is the PEQ reopening permanent?
No. Quebec has repeatedly stated that the PEQ reopening is a temporary measure. The program will close again on July 2, 2028. The province’s long-term objective remains the PSTQ, which it intends to use as its primary skilled worker selection pathway in the future.