Quebec Experience Program (PEQ): 2026 Reopening, Rules and Deadline

The PEQ lets people who already have ties to Quebec apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) without waiting for a points-based invitation. It has two streams:

• Quebec Graduates (Diplômés du Québec), for people who earned an eligible diploma in Quebec.
• Temporary Foreign Workers (Travailleurs étrangers temporaires), for people with skilled work experience in Quebec.

Unlike the PSTQ, there is no expression of interest pool or ranking. If you meet the conditions and apply during an intake period, Quebec assesses your application.

Yes, but only temporarily and only for people who already qualified by a set date.

Quebec says there is no cap on the number of applications during the first period, and you can apply at any time within it. Quebec has not published dates for later intake periods as of September 2026. Follow the PEQ status page for updates.

You must use the updated application forms dated June 2026. Older forms make your application inadmissible.

To apply, you must have obtained one of these diplomas in Quebec on or before November 19, 2025:

• a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree,
• a technical Diploma of College Studies (DEC), or
• a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP), alone or followed by an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP), totaling at least 1,800 hours.

Other points Quebec highlights:

• You must be living in Quebec when you apply and throughout processing. You do not have to be working.
• Language of study no longer matters. Quebec removed the rule that you had to study in French (or have three years of full-time study in French). Diplomas taught in English now count.
• French is still required at oral level 7 and written level 5 on the Quebec scale. You must be able to show this, including at an interview if Quebec asks.
• Keep your status valid. Renew your permit if it will expire during processing.

You must have at least two years of work experience in Quebec in an occupation at TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), completed by November 19, 2025.

• Experience in TEER 4 or 5 jobs does not count for the PEQ. It may count in PSTQ Stream 2 (intermediate and manual skills) or Stream 3 (regulated professions).
• If you gained the two years but had to leave Quebec when your permit expired, you can still apply if you now hold a valid work permit and hold an eligible full-time job when you apply and during processing.
• You must also meet the other selection conditions of this stream, including French at oral level 7 and written level 5.

TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. Find your code with the NOC tool on the Government of Canada website.

Both streams require:

• oral French at level 7, and
• written French at level 5,

on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Quebec scale of French proficiency). These levels line up with the Canadian NCLC scale. Most people prove it with an approved test, such as TEF Canada or TCF Québec. See French requirements for Quebec for accepted tests and tips.

If your French is below these levels, the PSTQ may be a better fit. Stream 2 of the PSTQ requires only oral level 5.

Quebec warns that receiving many applications in four months could lead to longer processing than usual. It has dropped its old commitment to process PEQ files within six months.

A few practical points:

• PEQ and PSTQ at the same time. You may apply to the PEQ even if you have a PSTQ invitation or a PSTQ application in process. Quebec will process both in parallel, with no speed-up in either. You pay fees for both, and neither fee is refunded.
• Fees. Quebec lists the current PEQ examination fee on its program page. Fees are adjusted every January 1.
• After selection. Once you get a CSQ, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. Check the processing times tool for the federal step.

Keep your work or study permit valid the whole time. If your permit is about to expire, look at maintained status rules and extension options before it runs out.

Because eligibility is frozen at November 19, 2025, many people who arrived or graduated later cannot use this reopening. Other options:

• PSTQ: Quebec's main skilled worker program, open to people in and outside Quebec through Arrima.
• Quebec business programs: for people who want to start, run, or take over a business.
• Outside Quebec: if you are open to moving, Express Entry (including the French-language category) and provincial programs are available in other provinces.

If your case involves a past refusal or status problems, speak with a lawyer or a licensed immigration consultant before you apply.