Quebec PEQ Reopens July 2, 2026: First Intake Prioritizes 2025-Eligible Applicants Only

Quebec PEQ Reopening: What Changed on June 10, 2026

Quebec’s Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) will officially reopen on July 2, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Immigration Minister François Bonnardel announced during a June 10 news conference. The program, which was abruptly closed on November 19, 2025, will now accept applications in periodic intakes until July 2028, when it will close permanently. The first intake period runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026, and will exclusively prioritize candidates who were eligible for PEQ when it was abolished in 2025.

This announcement provides critical clarity for thousands of international graduates and temporary foreign workers who have been in limbo since the program’s closure. Many had structured their studies, careers, and immigration plans around PEQ’s availability, only to face uncertainty when Quebec suspended and later abolished the program. The reopening restores a key pathway to permanent residence for French-speaking workers and graduates who have already integrated into Quebec’s economy and society.

The PEQ’s return comes after months of protests and advocacy from immigrants, employers, post-secondary institutions, and municipalities. Critics argued that the program’s closure disrupted the plans of temporary residents who had already invested time and resources into building lives in Quebec. The government’s decision to revive PEQ for a two-year period reflects a compromise between reducing temporary immigration levels and addressing the needs of those already contributing to the province.

Key Numbers: PEQ Reopening at a Glance

Who Qualifies for the Reopened PEQ?

The PEQ’s reopening is limited to two distinct applicant groups, both of which must meet strict eligibility criteria tied to the program’s November 19, 2025, closure date. Here’s a breakdown of who qualifies and how the new rules affect different types of applicants:

1. Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec

To qualify under the Workers Stream, candidates must have acquired at least 24 months of eligible work experience in Quebec within the three years preceding November 19, 2025. This is a critical distinction: workers must have already met the experience requirement by the time PEQ closed, not by the time they apply in 2026. This means:

• Workers who gained experience after November 19, 2025, are not eligible for the first intake.
• Work permits expiring before July 2, 2026, may pose a challenge, as candidates must maintain valid status to apply. Workers with expired permits may need to explore other options, such as the temporary resident permit extension process or the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
• Eligible work experience must be in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B occupation. Work in NOC C or D occupations does not qualify.

2. International Graduates from Quebec Institutions

To qualify under the Graduate Stream, candidates must have obtained an eligible diploma from a Quebec institution by November 19, 2025. Eligible programs include:

• Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) of 1,800 hours or more.
• Diploma of College Studies (DEC).
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.

Graduates must also demonstrate that they completed their program in a field listed on Quebec’s PEQ Eligible Areas of Training. This list has historically included high-demand fields such as healthcare, engineering, and information technology. Graduates who completed their programs after November 19, 2025, are not eligible for the first intake.

3. French-Language Proficiency Requirements

All PEQ applicants must demonstrate advanced-intermediate French proficiency (NCLC 7 or higher). This requirement has not changed from the pre-2025 version of the program. Acceptable proof includes:

• A standardized French-language test (e.g., TEF, TCF, DELF, DALF).
• A transcript showing completion of at least three years of full-time study in French at the secondary or post-secondary level.
• A license to practice from a professional order in Quebec (e.g., Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec).

Applicants who do not meet the French requirement are ineligible for PEQ, regardless of their work or study experience in Quebec. This requirement underscores Quebec’s commitment to prioritizing French-speaking immigrants who can integrate more easily into the province’s linguistic and cultural fabric.

Who Is Most Affected by the PEQ Reopening?

The PEQ reopening has different implications for various groups of temporary residents in Quebec:

• International graduates who completed programs before November 19, 2025: These candidates are the most likely to benefit from the reopening, as they meet the education requirement and may have already been planning to apply for PEQ. However, they must act quickly, as the first intake closes on October 31, 2026.
• Temporary foreign workers with 24 months of experience by November 19, 2025: These workers are also well-positioned to apply, provided they can demonstrate French proficiency and maintain valid status in Canada. Workers who gained experience after November 19, 2025, are excluded from the first intake but may qualify for future intakes if Quebec adjusts the rules.
• Applicants with expired work permits or study permits: These individuals face the greatest challenges, as they must restore their status before applying for PEQ. Quebec has not indicated whether it will provide flexibility for applicants with expired permits, so candidates in this situation should consult an immigration professional immediately.
• Express Entry candidates considering Quebec: While PEQ is a Quebec-specific program, successful applicants receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which allows them to apply for permanent residence through the federal government. However, Express Entry candidates who do not meet PEQ’s eligibility criteria may need to explore other pathways, such as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) or federal programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Your Action Plan: How to Apply for PEQ Before October 31, 2026

If you believe you qualify for the reopened PEQ, follow these steps to prepare and submit your application before the first intake closes on October 31, 2026:

1. Confirm your eligibility: Review Quebec’s official PEQ eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the work experience, education, and French-language requirements. Pay close attention to the November 19, 2025, cutoff date for work experience and education. Use Quebec’s PEQ self-assessment tool to verify your eligibility.
2. Gather your supporting documents: Prepare the following documents, which will be required for your PEQ application:
   • Proof of work experience (e.g., employment letters, pay stubs, T4 slips).
   • Proof of education (e.g., diploma, transcript, attestation of completion).
   • Proof of French proficiency (e.g., language test results, transcripts from French-language studies).
   • Valid passport and proof of status in Canada (e.g., work permit, study permit).
   • Proof of residence in Quebec (e.g., lease agreement, utility bills).
3. Ensure your status in Canada is valid: If your work permit or study permit has expired or is set to expire before July 2, 2026, apply to extend or restore your status as soon as possible. Quebec will not accept PEQ applications from candidates without valid status.
4. Create an account on Quebec’s Arrima platform: PEQ applications are submitted through Quebec’s Arrima portal. Create an account and familiarize yourself with the platform before the July 2 reopening. Note that Arrima has experienced technical issues in the past, so avoid waiting until the last minute to submit your application.
5. Submit your application on July 2, 2026: The PEQ portal opens at 8:30 AM on July 2, 2026. Submit your application as early as possible to avoid potential technical delays or changes to intake rules. Quebec has not announced a cap for the first intake, but future intakes may be limited.
6. Monitor your application status: After submitting your application, monitor your Arrima account for updates. Quebec has not provided a processing timeline, but PEQ applications have historically taken 6 to 12 months to process. If your application is approved, you will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which you can use to apply for permanent residence through the federal government.
7. Prepare for the federal stage: Once you receive your CSQ, submit your permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Processing times for federal applications vary, but you can check current processing times on the IRCC website.

Frequently Asked Questions