Quebec's Major Immigration Program Shuts Down Permanently
On This Page You Will Find:
- Breaking news about PEQ program termination and immediate impacts
- Alternative Quebec immigration pathways still accepting applications
- Essential next steps for current applicants and potential immigrants
- Complete guide to Quebec Skilled Worker Program requirements
- French language strategies that actually work for Quebec immigration
Summary:
The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) officially closed on November 19, 2025, leaving thousands of foreign workers and international students scrambling for alternatives. If you've been planning to immigrate to Quebec through this popular pathway, you're not alone in feeling blindsided. This comprehensive guide reveals your remaining options, explains why Quebec made this dramatic change, and provides a clear roadmap for securing permanent residence in Canada's French-speaking province. Whether you're already in Quebec or planning to move there, understanding these new realities could save you months of wasted effort and thousands in application fees.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) permanently closed on November 19, 2025, with no applications accepted after this date
- Foreign workers with 24+ months Quebec experience and students from eligible programs must now pursue the Quebec Skilled Worker Program
- Both principal applicants and spouses must demonstrate French proficiency, with higher requirements than before
- Over 130 specific training programs remain eligible for Quebec immigration through alternative pathways
- Current CSQ holders can still proceed with federal permanent residence applications
Marie-Claire stared at her laptop screen in disbelief. After two years working as a software engineer in Montreal, perfecting her French, and carefully planning her permanent residence application through the Quebec Experience Program, she discovered the devastating news: PEQ had closed permanently just weeks before she planned to submit her application.
If you're reading this, you might be in a similar situation. The sudden closure of Quebec's most popular immigration program has left thousands of foreign workers and international students questioning their future in Canada's second-largest province.
What Happened to the Quebec Experience Program?
The Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) officially ended on November 19, 2025, marking the end of an era for Quebec immigration. This wasn't a temporary suspension or a pause for reforms – it's a permanent closure.
The PEQ was Quebec's fastest immigration pathway, designed specifically for French-speaking skilled workers and international students who had already established themselves in the province. In 2019, the vast majority of Quebec immigrants received approval through this program, making it the backbone of the province's immigration system.
The program operated as a two-step process: first, eligible candidates received a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) from the provincial government, then applied for permanent residence through the federal government. This streamlined approach allowed many immigrants to transition from temporary to permanent status within 12-18 months.
Why Did Quebec Close the PEQ Program?
While Quebec hasn't released detailed explanations for the closure, immigration experts point to several factors that likely influenced this decision:
Overwhelming Application Volumes: The PEQ's popularity created processing backlogs that stretched Quebec's immigration infrastructure beyond capacity. Some applicants waited over two years for CSQ approval, defeating the program's original purpose of providing fast-track immigration.
Changing Economic Priorities: Quebec's labor market needs have evolved significantly since the PEQ's inception. The province now prioritizes specific sectors and skill sets that align more closely with its economic development goals.
French Language Concerns: Despite requiring French proficiency, many PEQ recipients struggled with long-term integration due to insufficient language skills. Quebec likely wants more rigorous language screening.
Federal-Provincial Tensions: Ongoing disagreements between Quebec and the federal government over immigration targets and selection criteria may have influenced this decision.
Who Was Affected by the PEQ Closure?
The closure impacts two main groups of potential immigrants:
Foreign Workers: Individuals employed in National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3, with at least 24 months of full-time Quebec work experience in the 36 months prior to application.
Students and Graduates: International students who completed programs from Quebec's list of eligible training areas within the past 36 months from recognized educational institutions.
If you fall into either category and hadn't submitted your PEQ application by November 19, 2025, you'll need to explore alternative pathways.
Your Alternative Options: Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Don't panic – Quebec hasn't closed the door on immigration entirely. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) remains active and represents your best alternative pathway to permanent residence.
How the Quebec Skilled Worker Program Works
The QSWP operates on a points-based system that evaluates candidates across multiple factors:
Education: Higher degrees earn more points, with doctoral degrees receiving maximum scores. Your field of study also matters – programs aligned with Quebec's labor market needs receive bonus points.
Work Experience: Both Quebec and international work experience count, though Quebec experience receives higher weighting. Management and specialized technical roles typically score better.
French Language Proficiency: This remains the most critical factor. Advanced French skills can earn you significantly more points than basic proficiency.
Age: Candidates between 18-35 receive maximum age points, with scores decreasing gradually for older applicants.
Job Offer: A validated job offer from a Quebec employer provides substantial bonus points, though it's not mandatory for application.
Spouse Factors: Your spouse's education, language skills, and work experience can contribute additional points to your application.
French Language Requirements: What You Need to Know
Here's where many applicants struggle – and where the requirements have become more stringent since the PEQ closure.
Principal Applicant Requirements: You must demonstrate advanced-intermediate French oral expression and comprehension skills. This typically means achieving Level 7 on the Quebec French proficiency scale or equivalent scores on accepted language tests.
Spouse Requirements: Your spouse must also demonstrate French proficiency at minimum Level 4 on the Quebec scale. This requirement often catches couples off-guard, especially when the spouse doesn't speak French.
Acceptable Proof Methods:
- Approved language test results (TEF, TCF, DELF, DALF)
- Transcripts showing three years of full-time study conducted entirely in French
- Professional license from a Quebec professional order with language attestation
Free French Training: If you're currently in Quebec on a work permit or study permit, you may be eligible for free French language training through government programs. These courses are specifically designed to help you reach immigration-level proficiency.
The Complete List of Eligible Training Programs
One advantage that carries over from the PEQ system is Quebec's recognition of specific training programs. If you completed your education in one of these areas, you'll receive additional points under the QSWP system.
Technical and Vocational Programs (DEP Level)
Quebec recognizes over 40 Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) programs, including:
Healthcare and Social Services: Health assistance and nursing care, home care assistance, pharmacy technical assistance
Skilled Trades: Carpentry, welding-fitting, plumbing and heating, refrigeration, industrial mechanics
Technology and Engineering: Electromechanics of automated systems, machining techniques, telecommunications equipment installation
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Agricultural mechanics, maple syrup production, large-scale farming, animal production
Transportation and Logistics: Heavy vehicle mechanics, construction equipment mechanics, elevator mechanics
College-Level Programs (DEC and AEC)
Quebec's college-level programs cover diverse fields:
Healthcare: Nursing, physiotherapy techniques, medical laboratory technology, dental hygiene
Engineering Technology: Aerospace engineering, civil engineering technology, industrial maintenance technology
Information Technology: Computer science techniques, multimedia integration techniques
Business and Administration: Business office techniques, hotel management, restaurant establishment management
University Programs (Bachelor's and Master's)
University graduates in specific fields receive the highest recognition:
Engineering: All engineering disciplines including aerospace, civil, mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering
Healthcare: Nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy
Education: Teacher training for all levels, from preschool through professional education
Business: Administration, accounting, finance, marketing, international business
Sciences: Mathematics, computer science, geology, meteorology
Strategies for Maximizing Your QSWP Application
Given the increased competition following PEQ's closure, you'll need to strategically optimize your application.
Boost Your French Proficiency
This cannot be overstated – French language skills will make or break your application. Consider these approaches:
Intensive Language Programs: If you're not currently in Quebec, consider enrolling in intensive French programs before applying. Many universities offer accelerated courses specifically designed for immigration purposes.
Quebec French Immersion: Quebec French differs from European French in pronunciation and vocabulary. If possible, take courses or consume media specifically featuring Quebec French.
Professional Language Coaching: Invest in one-on-one tutoring focused on the specific language tests required for immigration. This targeted approach often yields faster results than general language courses.
Strengthen Your Work Experience
Target High-Demand Occupations: Research Quebec's current labor shortages and align your career development accordingly. Healthcare, engineering, IT, and skilled trades consistently show strong demand.
Gain Quebec Experience: If possible, secure a work permit and gain Quebec work experience before applying. This provides both points and demonstrates your commitment to the province.
Document Everything: Maintain detailed records of your work responsibilities, achievements, and any training or certifications. Immigration officers want to see progression and skill development.
Consider Strategic Education Investments
Credential Recognition: If you have foreign credentials, invest in having them recognized by Quebec professional orders. This process can be lengthy but significantly strengthens your application.
Additional Certifications: Consider pursuing additional certifications or short-term programs in high-demand fields. Even brief programs can demonstrate your commitment to Quebec's labor market.
Timeline and Application Process
Understanding the new timeline is crucial for planning your immigration journey.
Application Processing Times
Initial Assessment: 6-12 months for Quebec to review your application and award points
CSQ Issuance: An additional 2-4 months if you meet the points threshold
Federal Processing: 12-18 months for permanent residence processing after receiving your CSQ
Total Timeline: Expect 20-34 months from application submission to permanent residence, significantly longer than the former PEQ timeline.
Application Costs
Quebec Application Fee: $822 CAD for the principal applicant, plus $176 CAD for each accompanying family member
Federal Application Fees: $1,365 CAD for the principal applicant, $365 CAD for spouses, and $230 CAD for dependent children under 22
Additional Costs: Language testing ($300-500), credential assessment ($200-500), medical examinations ($450 per adult), and potential legal fees
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others' mistakes can save you months of delays and thousands in fees.
Underestimating French Requirements: Many applicants assume basic conversational French suffices. Immigration-level French proficiency requires formal training and testing.
Incomplete Documentation: Quebec immigration officers are notoriously thorough. Missing or inadequate documentation will result in application refusal or delays.
Timing Errors: Don't wait until your work permit expires to apply. Start the process at least 18 months before your current status expires.
Ignoring Spouse Requirements: Ensure your spouse also meets French language requirements. Many applications fail because couples focus only on the principal applicant's qualifications.
What This Means for Your Future in Quebec
The PEQ closure represents a fundamental shift in Quebec's immigration strategy, but it doesn't eliminate your chances of permanent residence. The province still needs skilled workers, healthcare professionals, engineers, and other qualified immigrants.
However, the bar has been raised significantly. Success now requires more strategic planning, better French proficiency, and often longer timelines. Those who adapt to these new realities and invest in proper preparation will still find pathways to permanent residence.
For Current Quebec Residents: If you're already working or studying in Quebec, you have significant advantages under the QSWP system. Use your time in the province to maximize your French skills, gain relevant work experience, and build the strongest possible application.
For Future Applicants: Consider Quebec as a long-term immigration strategy rather than a quick pathway. Invest in French language training, research high-demand occupations, and potentially pursue education in Quebec to strengthen your eventual application.
The end of the PEQ era doesn't mean the end of Quebec immigration dreams – it simply means those dreams now require more preparation, patience, and persistence. With proper planning and commitment, permanent residence in Quebec remains achievable for qualified candidates who understand and adapt to the new landscape.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is the Quebec PEQ program and why did it close permanently?
The Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) was Quebec's fastest immigration pathway specifically designed for French-speaking skilled workers and international students already established in the province. It operated as a two-step process where eligible candidates first received a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), then applied for permanent residence federally. The program closed permanently on November 19, 2025, due to overwhelming application volumes that created processing backlogs stretching over two years, changing economic priorities that required more targeted skill selection, concerns about insufficient French language integration despite proficiency requirements, and ongoing federal-provincial tensions over immigration targets. Unlike previous temporary suspensions, this closure is permanent with no applications accepted after the November 2025 deadline.
Q: Who was affected by the PEQ closure and what are their options now?
Two main groups were impacted: foreign workers with 24+ months of full-time Quebec work experience in NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3, and international students who completed eligible programs within 36 months from recognized Quebec institutions. If you hadn't submitted your PEQ application by November 19, 2025, your primary alternative is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). Current CSQ holders can still proceed with their federal permanent residence applications. The QSWP operates on a points-based system evaluating education, work experience, French proficiency, age, job offers, and spouse factors. While more complex than PEQ, it remains a viable pathway for qualified candidates who meet the higher French language requirements and can demonstrate strong ties to Quebec's labor market needs.
Q: What are the French language requirements under the new Quebec immigration system?
French language requirements have become significantly more stringent. Principal applicants must demonstrate advanced-intermediate French oral expression and comprehension skills, typically Level 7 on the Quebec French proficiency scale or equivalent scores on TEF, TCF, DELF, or DALF tests. Critically, spouses must also demonstrate minimum Level 4 French proficiency, a requirement that often surprises couples. Acceptable proof includes approved language test results, transcripts showing three years of full-time study conducted entirely in French, or professional licenses from Quebec professional orders with language attestation. Free French training programs are available for current work or study permit holders. Given that French skills can make or break your application, investing in intensive Quebec French programs and professional language coaching specifically targeting immigration tests is essential.
Q: How does the Quebec Skilled Worker Program work and what's the timeline?
The QSWP uses a points-based system evaluating multiple factors: education (higher degrees and Quebec-relevant fields score better), work experience (Quebec experience weighted higher), French proficiency (most critical factor), age (18-35 receive maximum points), job offers (substantial bonus but not mandatory), and spouse qualifications. You need sufficient points to receive a CSQ, then apply federally for permanent residence. The timeline is significantly longer than PEQ: 6-12 months for initial Quebec assessment, 2-4 additional months for CSQ issuance if you meet thresholds, and 12-18 months for federal processing. Total timeline ranges 20-34 months from application to permanent residence. Costs include $822 CAD Quebec fee plus $176 per family member, federal fees of $1,365 for principal applicants, plus language testing, credential assessment, and medical examination costs.
Q: What training programs and occupations are still eligible for Quebec immigration?
Quebec recognizes over 130 specific training programs across multiple levels. Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) programs include healthcare roles like nursing care assistance, skilled trades like carpentry and welding, technology fields like electromechanics, and agriculture specializations. College-level programs (DEC/AEC) cover nursing, engineering technology, IT techniques, and business administration. University programs receive highest recognition, including all engineering disciplines, healthcare professions like pharmacy and physiotherapy, education, business administration, and sciences like computer science and mathematics. Having credentials in these recognized fields provides additional points under the QSWP system. Current labor shortages exist particularly in healthcare, engineering, IT, and skilled trades, making these areas strategically advantageous for immigration applications.
Q: What are the biggest mistakes to avoid when applying through the new system?
The most common fatal mistake is underestimating French language requirements - immigration-level proficiency requires formal training and testing, not just conversational ability. Many applications fail because couples focus only on the principal applicant while ignoring spouse French requirements. Incomplete documentation will cause refusals since Quebec officers are extremely thorough in their reviews. Poor timing is another critical error - start your application at least 18 months before your current status expires, given the 20-34 month processing timeline. Other mistakes include not researching Quebec's specific labor market needs, failing to have foreign credentials properly recognized, and not maximizing Quebec work experience opportunities. Investing in professional immigration consultation and thorough preparation is often worthwhile given the complexity and stakes involved.
Q: Is it still worth pursuing Quebec immigration after the PEQ closure?
Yes, but with adjusted expectations and strategy. Quebec still needs skilled workers, healthcare professionals, engineers, and qualified immigrants - the province hasn't closed immigration entirely. However, success now requires more strategic planning, superior French proficiency, and longer timelines. Current Quebec residents have significant advantages through local work experience and French immersion opportunities. Future applicants should view Quebec as a long-term immigration strategy rather than a quick pathway, investing in intensive French training, researching high-demand occupations, and potentially pursuing Quebec education to strengthen applications. The bar has been raised significantly, but permanent residence remains achievable for well-prepared candidates who understand the new landscape. Those who adapt to these realities and invest in proper preparation will still find viable pathways to permanent residence.
