Update October 2026
Limited window: the PEQ closed on 19 November 2025, then reopened only from 2 July to 31 October 2026 for candidates who met the criteria as of 19 November 2025 (Quebec Graduates and Temporary Foreign Workers streams). More than 12,000 applications were received in July and August 2026. Quebec plans to end the PEQ by July 2028, and no further windows have been announced. The PSTQ is the main Quebec skilled worker route.
The Quebec Experience Programme, or PEQ (Programme de l’expérience québécoise) offers a route to permanent residence in Quebec for individuals who already have experience of living in Quebec, either as students or workers.
If successful, applicants for the PEQ will be awarded a Quebec Selection Certificate, which they can then use when applying to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence.
There are two Quebec Experience Programme streams:
- Graduate Stream
- Temporary Foreign Worker Stream
NB: Since 31 October 2024, new applications for the graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Programme have been suspended.
Temporary Foreign Worker Stream
In order to be eligible for the PEQ’s stream for foreign workers, you should:
- be already legally resident in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker or youth exchange program participant, or be in possession of a Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship permit
- have at least two years’ work experience within the last three years which:
- is in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 role (management roles or those typically requiring at least a college diploma, apprenticeship or six months’ on-the-job training)
- was full-time (at least 30 hours a week)
- was in paid roles
- was undertaken in Quebec
- was not in your own company
- have a job which fulfils the above criteria at the time you submit your application
- be able to demonstrate NCLC Level 7 French speaking ability
Applications for the PEQ can be submitted to Quebec’s ‘Arrima’ platform for immigration applications. The PEQ application fee is at least CAD $921 for the main applicant, plus an additional CAD $197 per person for any spouse, partner or dependent children included in the application. Applications typically receive a decision within six months of submission.