Quebec will end the PR pathway for students and workers, i.e., the province has announced that it will close one of its main programs for getting permanent residence.
On November 6, the provincial government said it will end the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), which has long been a popular way for international students and temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents.
The PEQ includes two streams that will also end:
- The Quebec Graduates stream
- The Temporary Foreign Workers stream
Both of these streams will officially close on November 19, 2025.
Current Status Of The PEQ
The two PEQ streams have already been paused since October 31, 2024.
Earlier, Quebec had announced that the suspension would last until June 30, 2025, but later extended it until November 30, 2025.
Now, with this new decision, both streams will be closed permanently.
The province also said that its three permanent immigration pilot programs will end as planned on January 1, 2026.
These three pilot programs are:
- Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in food processing
- Permanent immigration pilot program for orderlies
- Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in artificial intelligence, information technologies, and visual effects
Once these programs close, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) will remain the only main option for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents in Quebec.
What Will Happen To Current Applications?
Applications that have already been submitted under the PEQ (for both Quebec Graduate and Temporary Foreign Worker streams) and under the three pilot programs will still be processed normally.
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) will continue reviewing these applications.
Also, applications to add family members (like spouses or dependent children) to already selected applicants will still be accepted and processed by MIFI.
Pilot Programs: Limited Applications Still Open
Within the pilot programs, only the Francophone profile under the artificial intelligence stream is still open for new applications until December 31, 2025.
All other pilot program streams have already reached their intake caps, meaning they are no longer accepting applications.
Options For Skilled Workers
Skilled workers who wish to settle in Quebec permanently can still apply through the PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program).
To do this, foreign nationals must first create a declaration of interest through Arrima, an online portal used by Quebec’s immigration department.
These declarations go into a bank of profiles.
Applicants who score high points and match Quebec’s labour needs may then receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection.
Streams Under The PSTQ
There are four different streams in the PSTQ program:
- Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
- Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
- Stream 3: Regulated professions
- Stream 4: Exceptional talent
General Eligibility For The PSTQ
As Quebec will end the PR pathway for students and workers, let us look at the general eligibility for the PSTQ.
Well, to qualify for the PSTQ, foreign nationals must meet some basic conditions:
- Be 18 years or older
- Plan to live and work in Quebec
- Be able to perform the job offered
- Show financial self-sufficiency for at least three months after getting PR (and for any accompanying family members)
- Obtain the Attestation of Learning about Quebec’s democratic values (for themselves and family members)
- Comply with any return conditions of Quebec scholarships, if applicable
- Meet the criteria that led to their invitation for permanent selection
Note: The intended work cannot be for a business that the applicant owns or controls. Jobs in excluded sectors such as payday loans, cheque cashing, pawnbroking, or adult entertainment services are not accepted.
Some of the PSTQ streams also have extra conditions depending on the type of work or field.
Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan
On November 6, Quebec also announced its new Immigration Levels Plan.
The plan sets a target of 45,000 new permanent residents in 2025, with 64% of these expected to come from temporary residents already living in Quebec.
For the first time, Quebec also included admission targets for both temporary foreign workers and international students in its plan.
The government plans to welcome up to 55,700 foreign workers and 68,500 international students in 2026.
What This Means For Immigrants?
With the closing of the PEQ and pilot programs, Quebec’s immigration system is being streamlined into fewer but more focused pathways.
While this limits the number of programs available, the government says it wants to make the process simpler and more consistent.
Skilled workers who want to stay in Quebec permanently are encouraged to use Arrima and apply through the PSTQ to keep their chances open.
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