Learn about Quebec's significant re-opening of its permanent residence pathway this July.
Reporting by CIC News - Canada link has revealed that the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will re-open on July 2, 2026. This announcement was made by Quebec's immigration ministry, marking a significant development in the province's immigration landscape.
Key Details of the Re-opening
The PEQ, a key pathway for permanent residence in Quebec, will be available for a two-year period until July 2, 2028. The re-opening will occur in two phases. The first phase, from July 2 to October 31, 2026, targets foreign nationals who were eligible for the program when it closed on November 19, 2025. This includes individuals from both the international graduate stream and the foreign worker stream. During this phase, the Quebec government plans to issue an equivalent number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) across both streams.
Eligibility and Application Process
The eligibility criteria will remain unchanged from the time of the PEQ's suspension. Applications for this first phase will be accepted starting at 8:30 AM Eastern time on July 2, 2026, and will continue through October 31, 2026. there will be no cap on the number of applications during this period.
Temporary Measure with Future Implications
Quebec's immigration ministry has described this re-opening as a temporary measure. The long-term plan is to eventually phase out the PEQ, with permanent residence selection to be handled exclusively through the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). Until then, the ministry will reduce the number of invitations issued through the PSTQ, focusing primarily on candidates in TEER 4 or 5 occupations and those without two years of work experience.
Announcement and Future Updates
The decision to re-open the PEQ was initially announced in May, but the exact start date and further details were only disclosed in a press release on June 10, 2026. As this is an evolving situation, further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
This reopening represents a critical opportunity for eligible foreign nationals who were previously in limbo due to the program's closure. For those seeking permanent residence in Quebec, the next few months will be important.