Quebec Reopens PEQ Immigration Program for Two Years, July 2

Quebec’s government will reopen the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2 for a two-year period, reversing a controversial decision made in November 2025. Immigration Minister François Bonnardel confirmed the move on June 10, allowing 8,000 to 12,000 eligible immigrants to reapply for permanent residency. The reopening fulfills a campaign promise by Premier Christine Fréchette and addresses pressure from municipalities, employers, and unions who warned the closure would force integrated immigrants out of the province.

How the Reopening Works

The first application period runs from July 2 at 8:30 a.m. until October 31, 2026. Bonnardel said there will be no cap on applications, meaning all eligible candidates who apply during this window will be processed. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people are expected to apply in this first phase. Additional application periods will open before July 2028, when the two-year reopening ends.

Who Can Apply

Eligible candidates are those who qualified for the PEQ before its closure on November 19, 2025. This includes both the international graduate stream and the foreign worker stream. Applicants must meet the same criteria that existed at the time of suspension. The government aims to issue an equivalent number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) across both streams.

The Transition Plan

The PEQ reopening is temporary. Quebec will eventually replace it with the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), which gives the government more control over candidate selection based on factors like French language skills. During the transition, both programs will operate in parallel. Quebec targets 45,000 new permanent residents annually through 2029, with approximately 29,000 in the economic immigration category.

Why This Matters

The original closure in November 2025 created uncertainty for immigrants already living and working in Quebec. Hundreds protested as the so-called “orphans of the PEQ” faced losing their pathway to permanent residency. Mayors from Montreal and Quebec City, along with business groups and unions, publicly opposed the decision. Bonnardel acknowledged that the previous minister’s decision had “bousculé” (disrupted) people’s lives.

Final Thoughts

Quebec’s two-year PEQ reopening removes uncertainty for thousands of integrated immigrants but signals the program’s eventual end. The government remains committed to replacing it with the PSTQ, a more selective system.

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