On June 5, 2025, the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec (MIFI) issued Ministerial Order No. 2025-003, which officially suspends the intake of new applications under the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ). According to the provisions of this regulatory order, submission of new applications under all PEQ subcategories is suspended until November 30, 2025, inclusive.
Legal Basis for the Suspension
The justification for this measure is the exhaustion of the annual intake quota for 2025 as allocated for applications under the PEQ. The suspension applies to both substreams of the program:
- PEQ – Diplômés du Québec — for individuals who have completed studies at accredited educational institutions in Quebec (colleges, universities, technical institutes);
- PEQ – Travailleurs étrangers temporaires — for temporary foreign workers who have legally worked in Quebec under the requirements of the program.
The order is binding and applies equally to all applicants, regardless of whether they met the eligibility criteria prior to the effective date of the measure.
Practical Consequences for Applicants
In practical terms, this suspension constitutes a full temporary closure of access to Quebec’s most popular immigration program until the end of November 2025. It is important to note that even those who fully meet the PEQ requirements (Quebec education completed, required work experience, language proficiency, etc.) will be unable to apply during this suspension period.
The measure also affects immigration planning for individuals currently in Canada under temporary status who had intended to use PEQ as their primary pathway to permanent residence.
Recommendations for Prospective Applicants
In light of the announced suspension, it is strongly recommended that prospective applicants:
- Explore alternative immigration options, including the federal Express Entry system (CEC, FSW, FST), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), as well as pilot or temporary programs that may lead to permanent residence;
- Consider immigration opportunities in provinces outside Quebec, particularly if your status or intentions are not tied to remaining in Quebec;
- Follow official updates from the Ministry of Immigration of Quebec regarding potential early reopening of the PEQ intake or the announcement of exceptional admission mechanisms.
Conclusion
The temporary suspension of PEQ until November 30, 2025, imposes substantial limitations for foreign graduates and workers who had planned to apply through this accelerated immigration stream. The quota exhaustion indicates increased demand and the need for regulatory control over Quebec’s immigration processing system.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to adapt their immigration strategies in accordance with these new conditions while maintaining flexibility in choosing alternative and available pathways to permanent residency.
Source: Ministerial Order 2025-003 – Québec Immigration (official notice)
