Background:
As promised during the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leadership race, Christine Fréchette’s government has confirmed that the Programme de l’expérience Québécoise (“Quebec Experience Program” or “PEQ”) will be reopened for two years. Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration will begin processing applications again on July 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM. The PEQ was a popular fast-track pathway to obtaining the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and permanent residency for two categories of applicants: temporary foreign workers with eligible Quebec work experience, and international graduates of Quebec educational institutions. The program was shut down on November 19, 2025, and replaced by the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (“Skilled worker selection program” or “PSTQ”). The sudden closure of the PEQ without transitional measures created significant uncertainty for thousands of workers and graduates who had been building their lives in Quebec under the expectation that they would be eligible for permanent selection through the program. The temporary reopening of the PEQ serves as a way to alleviate uncertainty for some of the people affected by its closure.
Reactivation of the PEQ: Key Details
The PEQ will be reactivated for a two-year period beginning July 2, 2026. Importantly, there will be no cap on applications received during the first reception period. To respect annual immigration targets, the issuance of the CSQs might be extended/delayed into a third year if the volume of applications received exceeds the government’s projections.
The temporary reactivation of the PEQ will be divided between two application periods.
The first application period will be open from July 2, 2026 to October 31, 2026. This period is limited to individuals who met the PEQ eligibility conditions as of November 19, 2025 (the date the program was closed). Specifically:
- For the Quebec graduates stream: applicants must have obtained an eligible Quebec diploma on or before November 19, 2025.
- For the temporary foreign workers stream: applicants must have accumulated at least two years of eligible Quebec work experience (within TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification) within the last three years, as of November 19, 2025.
Applicants must be residing and employed in Quebec at the time of submitting their application. They must also meet all other PEQ selection conditions, including the intention to reside in Quebec and the French language requirements. Crucially, individuals who previously met the conditions, but have since left Quebec, may return and declare their interest if they satisfy the eligibility criteria.
A second application period will follow for individuals who did not meet the PEQ conditions as of November 19, 2025, or did not apply by November 19, 2025. The specific eligibility criteria and opening date for the second period have not yet been determined and will be evaluated based on the volume of applications received during the first period. The second application period will open at a later date that has not been specified, between November 1, 2026 and June 30, 2028.
The 29,000 Economic Immigrants Constraint:
Quebec’s overall immigration targets remain at 45,000 permanent admissions per year, comprising 29,000 economic immigrants, 10,500 family reunification cases, and 5,500 refugees and other categories. Within the 29,000 economic immigrants, the government aims for an approximate 50/50 split between PEQ and PSTQ admissions. This implies that roughly 14,500 economic immigrants will be selected under each program. Minister Bonnardel indicated flexibility in this ratio, noting he is prepared to adjust the split in response to application volumes. However, questions were raised about how the government would react should the volume of applications exceed the estimate by a large margin.
Minister Bonnardel clarified that the temporary reactivation of the PEQ does not replace the PSTQ, which remains the cornerstone of Quebec’s long-term permanent economic immigration strategy. During the July 2 to October 31 first reception period, PSTQ invitations will continue, but in more limited numbers. The Ministry will focus PSTQ invitations on Streams 2 and 4 (TEER 3, 4, and 5 not covered by the PEQ and exceptional talent) during this period, as approximately 80% of PEQ-eligible profiles overlap with PSTQ profiles. Those who have not been invited to apply through the PSTQ after having submitted a Declaration of Interest under Streams 1 and 3 will instead be directed to the PEQ, if they are eligible.
Once the volume of PEQ applications received by October 31, 2026 is known, the Ministry will reassess the allocation of PSTQ invitations across all sections for subsequent months.
What This Means for Clients:
The reopening of the PEQ means that eligible candidates that fulfill the requirements discussed above on or before November 19, 2025 will be eligible to apply within the first period between July 2 and October 31, 2026. Candidates that met the conditions after November 19, 2025 might be able to apply within the second period of applications, if they meet the requirements/conditions that will be specified at a later time.
At Gomberg Dalfen, we understand that navigating these new immigration rules can seem intimidating. Our team is ready to guide you every step of the way — from assessing eligibility to preparing applications and urgent handling when necessary. We can help ensure your documentation is complete, that your application is submitted correctly, and that you stay informed of the latest updates. If you have questions or need personalized assistance, we are here to support you.
Everyone at Gomberg Dalfen remains available to address any question, concern or mandate you may have. We invite you to contact one of our lawyers at our usual email addresses and telephone numbers if you require assistance or have questions.
**Please note: Information contained in this bulletin should not be taken as legal advice. The content of this bulletin is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any individual case or situation.**