Quebec Immigration 2026: End of PEQ, Reduced Quotas, and New Rules

What are the major changes to Quebec immigration in 2026?

Since November 2025, the Quebec government has announced a major overhaul of its immigration system, with measures fully taking effect in 2026. The stated goal: reduce pressure on public services, protect the French language, and better control migratory flows. International students, temporary workers, and asylum seekers are directly affected by these reforms.

The End of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The PEQ, which allowed graduates and temporary workers to quickly obtain permanent residence, has been officially abolished. Suspended since October 2024, it will no longer be possible to submit a new application after November 19, 2025. Applications in progress will be processed until that date, but afterward, the program disappears completely. This decision surprised many immigrants who relied on this pathway to settle in Quebec.

Which pilot programs are eliminated?

Three permanent immigration pilot programs targeting specific sectors will be abolished on January 1, 2026. These are the streams for food processing workers, orderlies, and workers in the artificial intelligence, information technology, and visual effects sectors. These eliminations further reduce options for foreign workers seeking permanent residence.

What are the new immigration targets?

For the 2026-2029 period, Quebec plans to welcome about 60,000 fewer permanent residents than originally planned. In 2026, the number of temporary work or study permits issued will be capped at approximately 175,000. The government is also asking the federal government to limit to 200,000 per year the temporary permits under its jurisdiction (International Mobility Program). Furthermore, Quebec wants to reduce the intake of asylum seekers and better distribute them across other provinces.

Is there a new pathway to permanent residence?

With the disappearance of the PEQ, the Québec Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ) becomes the only pathway to permanent residence in Quebec. This more selective program aims to directly meet the province's economic needs. Meanwhile, in March 2026, the federal government announced a temporary measure allowing up to 33,000 foreign workers already in Canada to accelerate their transition to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027, under certain conditions.

How are asylum rules strengthened?

In March 2026, Canada passed a law giving Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the power to cancel, suspend, or modify visas, work or study permits on grounds of public interest. These powers do not apply to asylum applications, but they allow the suspension of processing for certain categories of applications. The government thus aims to limit the influx of new asylum seekers and prioritize those already in the country.

Conclusion: A system in transition

The 2026 reforms mark a turning point for immigration in Quebec. With the end of historic programs like the PEQ and the reduction of thresholds, the province seeks to better manage its intake. Those already established, particularly temporary workers, may still hope for regularization through the new federal measure, but prospects for future candidates are now more limited and selective.