Quebec re-opens flagship permanent residence pathway
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will re-open for a two-year period, according to an announcement made by Quebec’s new Premier Christine Fréchette.
The PEQ (Programme de l'expérience québécoise) had been an especially popular pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals with Quebec study and/or work experience, prior to its suspension in October of 2024 and official closure in November of 2025.
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Prior to its suspension and closure, the PEQ had provided an alternate economic route to permanent residence in Quebec for foreign nationals who had little hope of being invited to apply for permanent selection under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) through Arrima, Quebec's equivalent of the federal government's Express Entry system.
Fréchette did not say when the PEQ would re-open, or whether any changes would be made to the PEQ, such as to its eligibility criteria or application process.
She made the announcement on May 5 during her inaugural address to the National Assembly of Quebec.
Foreign nationals who wish to settle in Quebec must pursue permanent residence through a Quebec-managed immigration pathway.
Canada's federal immigration programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (CEC), are only available to foreign nationals intending to settle in Canada outside Quebec.
More predictability for French speakers and those in Quebec
The Premier framed the reopening as a measure aimed at people who already speak French and are integrated into Quebec society.
"While respecting our immigration thresholds, we must allow those who already speak French and who are already integrated to have as much predictability as possible," Fréchette said.
The statement directly preceded her PEQ announcement.
Fréchette, who served as Quebec's Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration between 2022 and 2024, voiced support for reopening the PEQ during her CAQ leadership campaign earlier this year.
Quebec maintains stance on limited reception capacity
Fréchette also reiterated her government's position that Quebec's overall capacity to welcome newcomers remains limited.
"In Quebec, we have a limited reception capacity because of our language, our culture, and also because our financial capacity is limited," she said.
The Premier specifically raised the issue of asylum seekers, calling for greater federal involvement.
"The federal government must do its part to better distribute them across Canada and to reimburse the costs incurred by the Government of Quebec to welcome them," she said.
Why did Quebec choose to close the PEQ?
The PEQ was officially closed on November 19, 2025, under the previous government of Premier François Legault. Both of the program's streams — the Quebec Graduates stream and the Temporary Foreign Workers stream — had been suspended since October 31, 2024, and June 25, 2025, respectively.
The change took place as Canada moved to revamp its immigration strategy in the face of swelling temporary residence numbers—and marked a turning point: the first time in decades that skilled workers with in-province experience and international graduates from Quebec institutions did not have a clear path to PR in the province.
The closure of the PEQ formed part of Quebec's 2026-2029 Immigration Plan, which saw a scaling back of immigration across the province’s programs and streams—setting an annual cap of 45,000 permanent residents.
Quebec is unique among Canadian provinces in the amount of power it can exert over its own immigration intake, stemming from previous agreements signed with the federal government.
Following the closure, the Skilled Worker Selection Program — or Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) — became the sole pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Quebec.
The PSTQ uses a points-based assessment system that prioritizes French language proficiency, Quebec-based work and study experience, education, and other factors.
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