Quebec Experience Program Reopens in July with a Two-Year Window

If you are a foreign worker or international graduate who had been counting on Quebec as your path to permanent residence, the news you have been waiting for has finally arrived. The Quebec Experience Program, known as the PEQ, is set to reopen on July 2, 2026. After months of uncertainty following the program’s closure in late 2025, the provincial government has confirmed a two-year window for applications, with the first intake period specifically designed to help those who were most affected by the closure. Here is what you need to know and how to make the most of this opportunity.

Why the Quebec Experience Program Closed and Why It Is Coming Back

The PEQ was suspended and eventually closed in late 2025 under the previous provincial administration. The decision created significant stress for thousands of foreign workers and international graduates who had built their lives and careers in Quebec with the expectation that the program would be their route to permanent residence. Employers, universities, municipalities, and immigration advocates all pushed back strongly, arguing that the closure left well-integrated, French-speaking talent without a clear future in the province.

Quebec’s immigration minister acknowledged this directly when announcing the reopening. He stated that workers, graduates, and employers had experienced months of uncertainty without a transitional measure, and that restoring the program temporarily would allow the province to retain skilled people who are already contributing to Quebec society.

What the Reopening Looks Like in Practice

The Quebec Experience Program will run for a two-year period, from July 2, 2026, to July 2, 2028. Applications for the first intake period open on July 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time and remain open through October 31, 2026. Both the foreign worker stream and the international graduate stream will be available during this initial period.

There is no cap on applications for the first phase. Every complete application that meets the eligibility criteria will be processed. That is an important detail. Unlike some immigration streams where applications close as soon as a quota is filled, the first PEQ intake will accept all qualifying submissions through the end of October.

Who is Eligible in the First Phase?

The first phase is specifically targeted at people who were eligible under the PEQ before its closure on November 19, 2025. This means your eligibility will be assessed based on the rules that existed at the time the program was suspended or abolished, not new criteria.

If you qualified under the graduate stream or the worker stream at that time, you should be eligible to apply when the program reopens.

Language requirements remain in place. All applicants must demonstrate advanced-intermediate French language proficiency. This has always been a core requirement of the Quebec Experience Program, and it will continue to be so during the temporary reopening.

For individuals who arrived or became eligible after November 19, 2025, the picture is less clear. Quebec has not yet announced the eligibility rules for future intake periods beyond October 2026. Those details are expected to come as the government reviews application volumes and adjusts its approach.

What Happens to PSTQ Invitations During This Period?

Quebec has also confirmed a temporary adjustment to its other skilled worker program, the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, commonly known as the PSTQ. During the first PEQ intake period through October 2026, the province will scale back PSTQ invitations to stay within its overall immigration targets under the 2026 to 2029 Canada immigration plan.

The PSTQ will continue issuing invitations during this period, but with a narrower focus. Priority will go to candidates working in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations, as well as candidates who have not yet accumulated two years of work experience. After October, Quebec will assess the volume of PEQ applications received and adjust PSTQ invitation levels accordingly beginning in November 2026.

The Bigger Picture: PEQ Is Temporary, PSTQ Is the Future

Quebec has been clear about one thing. The PEQ reopening is a temporary measure. The province’s long-term plan is to phase out the Quebec Experience Program entirely by July 2028 and handle all permanent residence selection through the PSTQ. Since December 2025, the PSTQ has already issued over 14,600 invitations, with a strong focus on candidates in Quebec’s priority sectors.

The PEQ is being brought back to address an immediate gap, not to become a permanent fixture again. Candidates who are eligible for this reopening window should take it seriously as a limited opportunity. Once the program closes in July 2028, the PSTQ will be the primary route forward.

How to Prepare Before July 2?

With the first intake opening in less than a month, eligible candidates should begin gathering their documents now. Ensure your French language test results are current and meet the advanced-intermediate threshold. Confirm that your Quebec diploma or work experience qualifies under the rules that were in effect on November 19, 2025. Have your supporting documents organized and ready so you can submit as soon as the window opens.

Canada Immigration News will continue reporting on the Quebec Experience Program as the July 2 opening approaches, including any guidance issued by the Quebec immigration ministry on the application process, required documentation, and processing timelines.

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