The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) has been closed since November 2025. Quebec Premier Fréchette has announced its reopening for summer 2026 — most likely July. Here is everything you need to know to prepare your file now and be ready on day one.
Why Was the PEQ Closed in November 2025?
The Quebec government suspended the PEQ in November 2025 for administrative restructuring and eligibility criteria revision. The suspension affected two categories of candidates:
- Qualified temporary workers with Quebec work experience
- Foreign students who graduated from a Quebec institution
The decision aimed to better target candidates with genuine Quebec integration and to manage application volumes.
What We Know About the July 2026 Reopening
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Announced date | Summer 2026 (July confirmed per MIFI sources) |
| Streams maintained | Temporary workers + Quebec graduates |
| Vested rights clause | Planned for candidates who applied before Nov. 2025 |
| Expected processing time | 8–14 months (based on 2025 data) |
| Government fees | Unchanged — $822 per principal applicant |
⚠️ Vested rights clause — read carefully
If you submitted a PEQ application before the November 2025 closure, a vested rights clause allows you to maintain your file under the old rules. Do not withdraw your application without consulting a RCIC — doing so could forfeit this protection.
PEQ Workers Stream — 2026 Eligibility Requirements
- Quebec work experience: minimum 12 months (full-time) in the 24 months preceding the application
- French level: minimum B2 oral (recognized test: TEF, TCF, TEFAQ)
- Legal status in Canada: valid work permit or other regular temporary status
- Employment in a non-excluded sector: some sectors remain excluded (to be confirmed at reopening)
- Job offer: not mandatory but strongly valued
PEQ Graduates Stream — 2026 Eligibility Requirements
- Quebec diploma: DEC, bachelor's, master's or doctorate from a MIFI-recognized institution
- French level: minimum B2 oral (same requirement as Workers stream)
- Diploma obtained in Quebec within the past 3 years before the application
- Legal status in Canada at the time of the application
2026 new requirement: MIFI is expected to require stronger proof of integration — community participation, Quebec professional network, personal history in Quebec. Start building this integration file now.
Preparation Checklist — Get Your PEQ File Ready Now
The reopening will likely be accompanied by an application quota. First-come, first-served will apply. Prepare these documents today:
Identity and Status Documents
- Valid passport (minimum 12 months after planned application date)
- Current work or study permit + immigration history
- Birth certificate (with certified translation if needed)
Work / Study Documents
- Detailed employment letters (employer, position, dates, hours/week)
- Pay stubs or T4s for the past 24 months
- Quebec diploma + official transcripts (Graduates stream)
French Language Proof
- TEF, TCF or TEFAQ results dated within the past 2 years
- If your test has expired or score is insufficient: register for a session now
Integration Evidence (new 2026 requirement)
- Personal letter describing your life in Quebec
- Proof of residence: lease, bills, bank statements
- Reference letters (employer, community, association)
PEQ vs PSTQ: Which Path in 2026?
| Criterion | PEQ | PSTQ (Arrima) |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec experience required | Yes (12 months) | Not mandatory |
| French level required | B2 oral minimum | Variable (B1 to C1 by stream) |
| Quota / draw system | Limited quota | Monthly draw |
| Average processing time | 8–14 months | 12–18 months |
| Quebec diploma required | No (Workers stream) | No |
| Job offer mandatory | No | No |
If you already have 12 months of Quebec work experience and a B2 in French, PEQ is generally faster and more accessible than PSTQ. If you are still outside Quebec, PSTQ remains the best option.
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