Quebec received 12,364 PEQ applications in July and August 2026, beating its forecast of 8,000–12,000 for the whole window. Intake closes October 31.
Quebec's reopened Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is busier than the province predicted. An access to information request, published October 16, 2026, shows Quebec received 12,364 PEQ applications in July and August alone, which already tops the top end of the government's forecast for the entire intake window.
On June 10, 2026, Immigration Minister François Bonnardel forecast 8,000 to 12,000 applications by the October 31 deadline. The first intake window runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026. Two months in, applications are already past that range.
| Stream | July | August | Total |
|---|
| Quebec Graduates | 6,861 | 1,077 | 7,938 |
| Temporary Foreign Workers | 3,626 | 800 | 4,426 |
| Both streams | 10,487 | 1,877 | 12,364 |
Two things stand out. First, July was a rush: about 85% of the two-month total arrived in the first month, when everyone who had been waiting filed at once. Second, August fell to roughly a fifth of July's pace. That slowdown is expected after a pent-up backlog clears, but September and October figures have not been published, so we do not know whether a deadline surge is coming.
The program was open to people who met the criteria as of November 19, 2025, so the pool of eligible applicants was fixed in advance. Quebec's own forecast simply underestimated it.
The PEQ is only one of Quebec's two main routes to a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). The other is the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), which had 12,152 applications at the end of August. Quebec plans to issue CSQs under both programs through the end of its 2026–2029 planning period, which closes December 31, 2029.
Here is the part that affects PSTQ candidates directly: starting November 2026, Quebec will adjust how many PSTQ invitations it sends based on PEQ application volume. A large PEQ intake means less room for PSTQ invitations, because both draw from the same limited pool of selections. If you are waiting in the PSTQ pool, expect that to show up in upcoming rounds. Our September 24 PSTQ draw analysis shows the current pace.
If you qualify for the PEQ and have not filed: the deadline is October 31, 2026, nine days from today. Nothing in the data suggests Quebec will extend it, and the Parti Québécois government that took office after the October 5 election has not said what happens next. The planned sunset date for the PEQ is July 2028, and no future intake has been announced. Our PEQ reopening guide lists the eligibility rules, and our election analysis covers the political picture.
If you are a graduate: your stream accounts for nearly two-thirds of all applications (7,938 of 12,364). That is a lot of competition for processing attention, so a complete, error-free file matters more than ever.
If you are a temporary worker on a PSTQ pathway: since March 13, 2026, PSTQ invitees who have submitted their permanent selection request can apply for an LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit of up to 12 months with the same employer. Spouses and common-law partners listed on the request can get an open work permit under a policy that expires December 31, 2026.
Tip
Do not treat October 31 as a soft target. A rushed file with a missing French test result or an unverified work-experience letter is the most common reason to lose time, and Quebec has not promised another window. Gather every document this week and file with days to spare.
- Quebec's September and October application counts, which would show whether the deadline triggers a second rush.
- The first PSTQ draw after November 1, to see how much the PEQ volume reduces invitations.
- Any statement from the new government on extending or ending the PEQ before its 2028 sunset.
Quebec PEQ Reopens: Full Guide | PNP Guide | How to Immigrate to Canada | CRS Calculator
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.