Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) - temporary reopening; intake window ends 31 Oct 2026
Official name: Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ)
Quebec's selection program for temporary foreign workers and Quebec graduates leading to a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), then federal permanent residence. Quebec ended the program on 19 November 2025, then reopened it for two years (2 July 2026 to 2 July 2028). The application window runs in Arrima from 2 July 2026 until 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Montreal time, with no cap, and only for people who met the diploma or work-experience criteria by 19 November 2025.
3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Canada
Finance
3
Currency
Canadian Dollar
CAD
Canadian Dollar
Cost of living
90
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–33%
Income tax (national)
Federal top rate applies above CAD 258,482 (2026); provinces/territories add their own income tax (roughly 4% to 21% at the top), giving combined top rates of about 44% to 54%.
Living
1
Happiness
#24 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Premium
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers with Quebec experience who met the criteria by 19 November 2025.
Eligibility
Application window
Sign in to check this route against your profileSubmit your application in Arrima between 2 July 2026 and 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Montreal time.
From 2 July 2026 to 31 October 2026- No later window announced on the pages read
Official wording
Applications are received in Arrima from 2 July 2026 to 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Montreal time. Quebec has not announced a later window on the pages read.
Quebec graduates streamQuebec graduates
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need a qualifying Quebec diploma obtained by 19 November 2025, plus French at oral level 7 and written level 5.
Qualifying Quebec credentials and French levels
- French oralQuebec scale
- Level 7
- French writtenQuebec scale
- Level 5
- DEP (alone or with ASP)at least
- 1,800 hours
- Accepted: bachelor's, master's, doctorate, technical DEC, or DEP
- Stay in Quebec when applying and during processing
- Keep valid status
- French-language study requirement was removed
Official wording
By 19 November 2025, obtained in Quebec a bachelor's, master's or doctorate, a technical DEC, or a DEP (alone or with an ASP) of at least 1,800 hours. Must stay in Quebec when applying and during processing and keep valid status. The French-language study requirement was removed, but French at oral level 7 and written level 5 (Quebec scale) is required.
Temporary foreign workers streamTemporary foreign workers
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow at least two years of Quebec work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job, gained by 19 November 2025.
Work experience needed
- Quebec work experience
- 2 years
- Accepted occupationsNOC
- TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
- TEER 4 and 5 experience does not count
- If you had to leave when a permit expired, you must be back in Quebec
- Valid work permit and eligible full-time job needed at application and throughout processing
What these codes mean (2)
- TEER 0
- Management occupations
- TEER 4
- Usually require a high school diploma, or several weeks of on-the-job training
Official wording
By 19 November 2025, at least two years of Quebec work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation (NOC). Applicants who had to leave when a permit expired may apply if back in Quebec with a valid work permit and holding an eligible full-time job at application and throughout processing. TEER 4 and 5 experience does not count.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 4 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Canada. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Canada
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Canada
- Visit & tourismSuper visa for parents and grandparents
- StudyStudy permit
- Work permitsBridging open work permit
- 3 more routes with Premium