The immigration landscape in Quebec is set to undergo a dramatic and historic transformation. In a sweeping policy overhaul, the provincial government has announced the permanent closure of one of its most widely used routes to permanent residency: the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ), or Quebec Experience Program.
This move, signaling a significant shift towards a centralized skilled worker system, will affect thousands of temporary foreign workers and international graduates hoping to settle in the province. Foreign nationals planning a move to Quebec must immediately adjust their strategies as the government consolidates its pathways under a new, single program.
The Permanent End of the PEQ
The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) confirmed that the two primary streams of the PEQ—the Quebec Graduates Stream and the Temporary Foreign Workers’ Stream—will officially be shut down on November 19, 2025.
The popular program, which provided a fast-track to a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) for those already working or studying in the province, has been on pause since October 2024. This suspension, initially temporary, has now been made permanent, marking the end of the program as applicants knew it.
The decision is a definitive statement of the government’s intent to streamline and simplify its selection process. The goal is to move all skilled worker candidates into a single system that better aligns with the province’s specific labor market needs and its paramount objective of French language integration.
Pilot Programs to Follow Suit
In addition to the PEQ, Quebec is also phasing out its trio of permanent immigration pilot programs, which were designed to attract workers to high-demand sectors.
The three affected pilots are:
- Food Processing Workers
- Orderlies
- Workers in Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies, and Visual Effects
These three programs are scheduled to conclude on January 1, 2026, as originally planned. Once these closures take effect, Quebec’s entire skilled worker selection mechanism will be focused on a unified platform.
A note for existing applicants: MIFI has clarified that applications already submitted under the PEQ and the pilot programs will continue to be processed. Candidates who have already been selected under these programs will also retain the right to add family members, including spouses and dependent children, to their application.
The New Pathway: PSTQ and the Arrima Portal
The future of skilled worker immigration in Quebec now rests on the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), or Skilled Worker Selection Program. Once the PEQ and pilot programs are phased out, the PSTQ will stand as the sole permanent immigration pathway for skilled workers seeking a CSQ.
Moving forward, prospective immigrants must follow a new procedure:
- Declaration of Interest (DOI) via Arrima: Foreign nationals must first declare their interest in immigrating permanently to Quebec by creating and submitting a profile through Arrima, the province’s online immigration portal.
- PSTQ Framework: The PSTQ will govern the selection process and is structured around four specialized streams designed to target specific skills and professions:
- Highly qualified and specialised skills
- Intermediate and manual skills
- Regulated professions
- Exceptional talent
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate the genuine intention to live and work in Quebec, prove financial self-sufficiency for three months, and successfully complete an Attestation of Learning about Quebec Democratic Values.
Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 and Beyond
Alongside the program changes, the government also released its 2025 Immigration Levels Plan. The plan maintains a target of 45,000 new permanent residents for the year. Significantly, the plan projects that 64% of economic admissions will come from temporary residents already living in Quebec, underscoring the shift to prioritizing candidates who have demonstrated successful integration.
Furthermore, for the first time, Quebec has also unveiled targets for temporary residents, planning to admit up to 55,700 foreign workers and 68,500 international students in 2026. This signals a new, more holistic approach to managing both temporary and permanent migration flows.
Policy experts view this comprehensive move as a concerted effort by the Quebec government to centralize its immigration framework, simplify processes, and ensure new arrivals are better prepared for integration, particularly in relation to French language proficiency and alignment with critical labor shortages.
