Quebec to temporarily reopen PEQ July 2026, no cap in first intake
Quebec has confirmed a limited, temporary revival of the Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ), the pathway that lets certain Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers apply for permanent selection. The reopening is scheduled and time-limited — it does not take effect "immediately."
What is actually happening
The PEQ was suspended on November 19, 2025. Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI) has announced that the program will reopen temporarily for two years, from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028. Applications for permanent selection are submitted through the Arrima portal, with the first submission window opening July 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
No cap — but only in a narrow first window
MIFI has confirmed there is no cap on the number of applications during the first intake period, which runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026. The absence of a quota has been welcomed, but it applies to a deliberately narrow group.
Who can apply in the first round
The first intake is limited to people who had already met PEQ eligibility as of the November 19, 2025 suspension date:
- Temporary foreign workers who had accumulated at least two years of eligible Quebec work experience by that date, in TEER 0–3 occupations, and who remain in an eligible position.
- Quebec graduates who had obtained an eligible Quebec diploma by that date and currently reside in the province.
Many workers and graduates who became eligible after the November 2025 cutoff cannot apply in this first round. Additional intake periods may be announced before the program's 2028 end date, but none is guaranteed, and some advocates have criticized the reopening as too narrow and temporary.
If you think you may qualify, confirm your eligibility category, the applicable cut-off dates, and how you will maintain your status before the window opens.
This is general information, not legal advice — for your situation, consult an authorized immigration representative.