In a surprise weekend announcement, Quebec’s immigration ministry confirmed that the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise, PEQ) will be wound down over the coming year, with the last intake closing before 30 November 2025. The PEQ has been a fast-track road to permanent residence for tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers and international student alumni who demonstrate advanced French and at least 12 months of Quebec work experience.
Provincial officials argue that the program has outlived its purpose and is poorly aligned with new labour-market realities. Instead, Resources Québec will channel applicants toward the regular Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ), which relies on a points grid favouring in-demand occupations and regional settlement outside Montréal. The ministry said the shift would allow better control over yearly immigration cohorts and ensure Francisation resources are directed to newcomers most likely to remain long-term.
![Quebec to scrap popular PEQ permanent-residence pathway for foreign workers and graduates]()
Employers—from aerospace to video-game studios—warn that eliminating a predictable PR route could deter talent from accepting Quebec-based assignments. Many companies used the PEQ timeline (as little as six months) to plan succession and mobility budgets for key foreign hires. Immigration consultants now advise HR teams to reassess relocation packages, budget for longer processing under PSTQ and consider the federal Express Entry system as a back-up.
International student associations reacted with disappointment, noting that PEQ stability had been a decisive factor in choosing Quebec institutions. The province has pledged that all applications submitted before the closure date will be processed, but there are concerns about case backlogs as applicants rush to file.
Practically speaking, mobility managers should audit existing Quebec assignees, identify anyone eligible for PEQ and fast-track submissions well before the final deadline. Future hires will need to budget additional time and legal costs for alternative PR pathways, potentially shifting some corporate recruitment from Montréal to Toronto or Vancouver.
Provincial officials argue that the program has outlived its purpose and is poorly aligned with new labour-market realities. Instead, Resources Québec will channel applicants toward the regular Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ), which relies on a points grid favouring in-demand occupations and regional settlement outside Montréal. The ministry said the shift would allow better control over yearly immigration cohorts and ensure Francisation resources are directed to newcomers most likely to remain long-term.
Employers—from aerospace to video-game studios—warn that eliminating a predictable PR route could deter talent from accepting Quebec-based assignments. Many companies used the PEQ timeline (as little as six months) to plan succession and mobility budgets for key foreign hires. Immigration consultants now advise HR teams to reassess relocation packages, budget for longer processing under PSTQ and consider the federal Express Entry system as a back-up.
International student associations reacted with disappointment, noting that PEQ stability had been a decisive factor in choosing Quebec institutions. The province has pledged that all applications submitted before the closure date will be processed, but there are concerns about case backlogs as applicants rush to file.
Practically speaking, mobility managers should audit existing Quebec assignees, identify anyone eligible for PEQ and fast-track submissions well before the final deadline. Future hires will need to budget additional time and legal costs for alternative PR pathways, potentially shifting some corporate recruitment from Montréal to Toronto or Vancouver.
