Quebec has confirmed that the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), a major permanent residence pathway, will open again on July 2, 2026, according to the province’s immigration ministry.
The program will stay open for a limited period of two years, ending on July 2, 2028.
The reopening will happen in two phases. The first phase will run from July 2 to October 31, 2026. It will mainly focus on people who were already eligible for PEQ when it was paused on November 19, 2025.
This phase will include applicants from both PEQ streams: the international graduate stream and the foreign worker stream. Quebec plans to issue a similar number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) across both groups.
The eligibility rules will stay the same as they were before the program was paused. No major changes have been made to the requirements for either stream.
For the first phase, there will be no limit on the number of applications. Submissions will be accepted starting July 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time and will continue until October 31, 2026.
During this period, Quebec will also reduce invitations under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). Priority will be given to candidates working in TEER 4 or 5 jobs and those with less than two years of work experience.
The government described the reopening as temporary. Officials also said the PEQ is expected to be phased out in the future. After that, permanent residence selection will mainly be handled through the PSTQ program.
The return of the PEQ was first mentioned in May, but no exact date was shared at that time. The detailed schedule was officially confirmed in a press release issued by Quebec’s immigration ministry on June 10, 2026.
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