Quebec Overhauls Immigration Streams: PEQ Closure and PSTQ Shift

(QUEBEC, CANADA) Quebec unveiled sweeping changes to its immigration streams that will roll out from 2026 to 2029, tightening admissions and reshaping how newcomers settle in the province. The plan sets a firm cap of 45,000 permanent residents per year starting in 2026, introduces formal targets to shrink the number of temporary residents, and confirms the PEQ closure on November 19, 2025, turning the page on one of Quebec’s most used pathways for workers and graduates. Provincial officials say the reforms seek to protect French, relieve pressure on housing and public services, and simplify choices for future applicants.

Overview of the new framework (2026–2029)

Quebec’s decision follows months of debate over how many newcomers the province can welcome while keeping French at the center of daily life. This plan introduces several structural changes:

• A permanent resident cap of 45,000 per year starting in 2026.
• Formal ranges and targets for temporary residents, treating temporary entries as an explicit policy lever.
• The closure of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on November 19, 2025.

Officials say the reforms aim to protect the French language, reduce pressure on housing and public services, and simplify pathways for applicants.

Temporary residents: ranges and reduction targets

For the first time, Quebec will publish expected ranges for temporary entries rather than only focusing on permanent admissions.

• In 2026, Quebec expects between 84,900 and 124,200 temporary residents (including temporary foreign workers and international students).
• The plan aims for a 13% decrease by 2029 in temporary resident numbers.

Quebec frames these limits as tied to integration capacity and regional needs, not just labour supply. Employers and educational institutions will be watching how work permits and study approvals adjust to these ranges.

PEQ closure and timeline

The most immediate change for many is the end of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

• PEQ closure date: November 19, 2025
• Both PEQ streams (Quebec Graduates and Temporary Foreign Workers) have been suspended since October 2024 and are now confirmed to remain closed.

According to VisaVerge.com analysis, many candidates who planned to use PEQ will need to seek alternatives sooner than expected.

Ending of targeted pilot programs and consolidation

Three targeted pilot programs will be phased out by January 1, 2026:

• Food processing workers
• Orderlies
• AI/IT/visual effects workers

After that date, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) will be the province’s sole permanent immigration pathway for skilled workers. The government says centralizing selection under PSTQ will:

• Reduce confusion among applicants
• Align intake more closely with labour market needs and French-language objectives
• Simplify the selection logic

Language requirements and transitional arrangements

Language is a central pillar of the reforms.

• Temporary foreign workers who have lived in Quebec for three years or more will need to show spoken French at level 4 to renew certain statuses.
• There is a three-year transitional period starting in December 2028 to give people time to prepare.

The province has not provided full details on testing logistics in this announcement, but it links the requirement to broader integration goals and regional workforce planning.

Important: Those who will hit the three-year mark after December 2028 should prepare to meet level 4 spoken French for renewals.

Regional distribution and pressure on Montreal

The plan emphasizes stronger regional distribution of new arrivals to:

• Support local economies outside Montreal
• Reduce pressure on housing and public services in the Montreal area
• Share the benefits of immigration more evenly across the province

Quebec presents this as a practical measure to ease demand in high-cost, high-demand areas while addressing labour needs in regions that currently lack steady inflows.

Rationale and potential impacts

The new permanent resident cap of 45,000 is a notable reset after higher arrivals in recent years, particularly when temporary residents later applied for permanent status. Quebec argues the cap will:

• Create predictability
• Protect delivery systems (schools, clinics, transit) under strain

Potential impacts and concerns:

• Employers facing shortages may experience tighter labour supply.
• The government expects that a clearer single skilled worker system and better job matching will mitigate shortages.
• Policy advocates worry the loss of PEQ may reduce incentives for students to stay after graduation or for experienced workers to remain.

Legal and institutional basis

The roadmap uses powers under the Canada–Québec Accord, which allows Quebec to:

• Set intake targets and integration standards distinct from other provinces
• Select economic immigrants for the province while Ottawa manages most national immigration files

This framework permits Quebec to weight language and capacity more heavily than federal priorities.

What current students and workers should do

Timing is critical for those already in Quebec:

• People counting on PEQ must plan around the November 19, 2025 closure and the phased end of the pilots by January 1, 2026.
• Many will likely look to the PSTQ as their primary path forward.
• Advisors expect increased competition under a single system; candidates may need to adjust profiles and apply earlier.
• Those approaching three years of residence after December 2028 should prepare for the level 4 spoken French requirement for renewals.

Support, integration investments, and employer responsibilities

Quebec ties the language rules to integration investments and supports:

• Training options and language supports are promised to help newcomers reach required levels.
• Employers may need to expand on-the-job French training and allow staff time to study.
• Families will seek clear guidance from agencies and schools to manage work, school, and language classes.

Where to find official information

More details and updates will come from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIFI). Official information and updates are available on the government’s website at the Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIFI).

Authorities say they will provide tools to help applicants:

• Track deadlines
• Choose the correct stream (chiefly the PSTQ)
• Prepare for language checks tied to renewals after December 2028

Final considerations and outlook

The coming rollout will test how well the plan balances labour needs with cultural and service-capacity goals. Key items to watch:

• Whether regional settlement increases as intended
• Whether housing pressure in Montreal eases as temporary numbers fall
• The effect on employers that previously relied on pilots or PEQ

For prospective residents, Quebec’s message is clear: plan earlier, focus on French, and expect a tighter but more direct set of immigration streams anchored by a single skilled worker system.