On This Page, You Will Find:
- When the Quebec Experience Program application window closes
- Who qualifies under the temporary reopening
- Eligibility requirements for Quebec graduates
- Eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers
- French-language requirements for PEQ applicants
- How to submit an application before October 31
- What happens after the deadline
- Alternative Quebec immigration pathways
- Frequently asked questions about the PEQ
Foreign workers and international graduates in Quebec have until October 31, 2026, to apply for permanent selection under the temporarily reopened Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
The deadline marks the end of the first application window since Quebec revived the program in July, following its abolition in November 2025.
Eligible applicants must submit their applications by 11:59 p.m. Montreal time on Saturday, October 31.
The deadline is particularly important for temporary foreign workers and graduates who already qualified when Quebec abolished the PEQ on November 19, 2025.
However, the program will not automatically disappear on October 31. Quebec has temporarily reinstated the PEQ until July 2028, although the government has not confirmed the dates of any further application windows.
Applicants who meet the current requirements should therefore consider submitting their applications before the deadline rather than relying on another opportunity.
When Does The Quebec Experience Program Close?
The current PEQ application window closes at 11:59 p.m. Montreal time on October 31, 2026.
Quebec reopened the program on July 2, 2026, giving eligible applicants four months to apply for permanent selection.
The reopening covers both streams of the program:
- Quebec Graduates
- Temporary Foreign Workers
The province has not imposed a numerical cap on applications during the current window.
Instead, it will accept applications from candidates who meet the specified intake conditions and assess them against the program’s selection requirements.
This means eligible candidates do not need an invitation to apply under the PEQ.
However, the absence of an application cap does not remove the October 31 deadline.
Quebec has also warned that the volume of applications could lead to longer processing times.
Who Can Apply Under The Reopened PEQ?
The current reopening does not allow every Quebec graduate or temporary foreign worker to apply.
Applicants must have met specific conditions by November 19, 2025, when the provincial government abolished the program.
The requirements differ between the two streams.
| PEQ stream | Key eligibility requirement by November 19, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Quebec Graduates | Obtained an eligible Quebec diploma or degree |
| Temporary Foreign Workers | Accumulated at least two years of qualifying Quebec work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations |
Candidates must also satisfy the general and stream-specific selection requirements when they submit their applications.
Those who obtained their qualifications or accumulated the necessary work experience only after November 19, 2025, cannot use those achievements to qualify for the current application window.
The PEQ eligibility requirements also include French-language proficiency, legal status and other conditions that applicants must meet before submitting their applications.
PEQ Eligibility Requirements For Quebec Graduates
International graduates can apply through the Quebec Graduates stream if they obtained an eligible qualification by November 19, 2025.
The following qualifications are accepted:
- Bachelor’s degree from a Quebec university
- Master’s degree, including an MBA
- Doctoral degree
- Technical Diploma of College Studies (DEC)
- Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) involving at least 1,800 hours of training
- DEP combined with an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP), where the combined training meets the 1,800-hour requirement
Applicants must also meet several additional conditions.
They must have obtained their eligible diploma within the 36 months before submitting their application, completed a full-time program at a Quebec institution and spent at least half their program studying in Quebec.
They must also be legally present in Quebec when they apply.
Applicants need to demonstrate the required French-language proficiency and satisfy the program’s general selection conditions.
Importantly, Quebec removed a requirement introduced during the program’s suspension that would have required graduates to complete an eligible program in French or three years of qualifying French-language education.
However, the separate French-language proficiency requirements remain in place.
PEQ Eligibility Requirements For Temporary Foreign Workers
Temporary foreign workers must have accumulated at least two years of eligible Quebec work experience by November 19, 2025, to qualify for the current application window.
Their work experience must fall within Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Applicants must also meet the program’s regular work experience requirements.
These include:
- At least 24 months of qualifying work experience during the 36 months before applying
- Full-time employment involving at least 30 paid hours per week
- Legally authorized and paid employment in Quebec
- Employment in an eligible occupation and sector
- Qualifying employment at the time of application
The program does not count part-time work toward its experience requirements.
However, eligible full-time employment does not need to have been continuous.
Applicants must also hold qualifying temporary status in Quebec and demonstrate that they intend to settle permanently in the province.
Workers whose occupations fall within TEER categories 4 or 5 cannot qualify through the current PEQ Temporary Foreign Workers stream.
They may instead consider Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program, depending on their circumstances.
What Are The PEQ French-Language Requirements?
French-language proficiency remains a central requirement under the Quebec Experience Program.
The language standards vary slightly between the two streams.
| Applicant | French-language requirement |
|---|---|
| Quebec Graduates | Level 7 oral French and Level 5 written French |
| Temporary Foreign Workers | Level 7 oral French |
| Accompanying spouses or common-law partners | Level 4 oral French |
These levels refer to Quebec’s official French-language competency scale.
Candidates must demonstrate their proficiency through an accepted form of evidence.
Meeting the program’s educational or work experience requirements does not exempt applicants from the applicable language standards.
Applicants should review their language documents carefully before submitting an application, particularly if they previously assumed that studying or working in Quebec automatically demonstrated sufficient French proficiency.
How To Apply For The PEQ Before October 31
Candidates must submit their applications through Quebec’s Arrima online immigration platform.
The process involves completing the relevant permanent selection application form, gathering supporting documents and paying the required fees.
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Confirm that they met the applicable intake conditions by November 19, 2025.
- Check that they satisfy the general and stream-specific selection requirements.
- Complete the correct PEQ application form using an accepted version.
- Gather and scan all required supporting documents.
- Sign in to or create an Arrima account.
- Upload the forms and supporting documents, provide the required information and pay the application fees.
- Submit the application before 11:59 p.m. Montreal time on October 31.
Quebec accepts designated 2026 versions of the PEQ application forms.
Applicants should not assume that forms prepared under earlier program rules remain valid.
For 2026, the provincial application processing fees are:
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $940 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | $201 |
| Each dependent child | $201 |
All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
These fees are non-refundable, including when Quebec refuses or rejects an application.
Candidates who successfully submit their applications receive confirmation through Arrima.
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or permanent residence.
Will The Quebec Experience Program Reopen After October 31?
The October 31 deadline applies to the current application reception period, not the entire lifespan of the temporarily reinstated PEQ.
Quebec reactivated the program from July 2, 2026, until July 2, 2028.
When announcing the reopening, the provincial government said it intended to receive applications in separate periods rather than maintain continuous intake.
It also indicated that additional application windows could allow new candidates to apply before July 2028.
However, Quebec has not confirmed another application period or published the eligibility conditions that would apply to one.
This distinction matters for applicants who only recently graduated or gained sufficient work experience.
Such candidates cannot qualify for the current intake solely because they now satisfy the usual PEQ selection requirements.
They will need to monitor future announcements to determine whether Quebec opens another window and whether they meet its conditions.
The province’s political direction also adds uncertainty.
Following the October 2026 provincial election, the new Parti Québécois government has proposed reducing immigration levels and giving greater priority to applicants already established in Quebec.
These proposals could influence future PEQ application periods, although Quebec has not announced changes to the existing October 31 deadline.
What Are The Alternatives For Applicants Who Miss The Deadline?
Applicants who cannot qualify under the current PEQ window may still have other immigration options.
Quebec’s principal skilled worker pathway is the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), or Skilled Worker Selection Program.
Unlike the PEQ, the PSTQ operates through an expression-of-interest system.
Candidates create a profile in Arrima and may receive an invitation based on Quebec’s selection criteria.
The PSTQ has four streams covering highly qualified workers, intermediate and manual occupations, regulated professions and exceptional talent.
Selection depends on several factors, including French-language proficiency, work experience, education and Quebec’s labour market priorities.
Candidates should understand that submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee an invitation.
Quebec also reduced certain PSTQ invitation rounds during the PEQ application window to help manage its immigration targets.
What Happens After A Successful PEQ Application?
Applicants who satisfy the PEQ requirements can receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, known as a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
This certificate confirms that Quebec has selected them for permanent immigration.
However, it does not automatically grant Canadian permanent resident status.
Successful candidates must subsequently apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.
The federal government assesses admissibility, including medical, criminality and security requirements, before making a final decision.
Applicants should also remember that applying for permanent selection does not automatically extend their temporary resident status.
Those who need to remain in Canada while their applications are processed must ensure they maintain valid immigration status or qualify for an appropriate extension.
With the October 31 deadline approaching, eligible candidates should prioritize completing and submitting their applications rather than assuming Quebec will provide another opportunity under the same conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to apply for the Quebec Experience Program in 2026?
The current PEQ application window closes on October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Montreal time. Applications must be submitted through Arrima. The deadline covers both the Quebec Graduates and Temporary Foreign Workers streams. Quebec has not announced an extension or confirmed the dates of another application period.
Can I apply for the PEQ if I graduated from Quebec in 2026?
Graduating in 2026 does not qualify you for the current application window. Applicants under the Quebec Graduates stream must have obtained an eligible qualification by November 19, 2025. Graduates who completed their studies after that date may need to consider the PSTQ or await another PEQ application period.
How much Quebec work experience do I need for the PEQ?
Temporary foreign workers must have accumulated at least two years of qualifying Quebec work experience by November 19, 2025. They must also satisfy the regular requirement for at least 24 months of eligible employment during the 36 months before applying. Their work must fall within TEER categories 0 to 3.
Will the Quebec Experience Program close permanently on October 31, 2026?
No. Quebec temporarily reinstated the PEQ until July 2, 2028. October 31 marks the end of its current application reception period. The province has indicated that further application windows could open, but it has not confirmed their dates or eligibility conditions. Applicants should not assume another opportunity is guaranteed.
Can I apply for Quebec permanent residence if I miss the PEQ deadline?
You may still qualify for another Quebec immigration pathway, particularly the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). This program uses an expression-of-interest system and invites candidates according to selection criteria and provincial priorities. Eligibility depends on your qualifications, employment experience, French-language ability and other factors. An invitation is not guaranteed.