Quebec pauses two major permanent resident pathways

Quebec has hit the breaks on two major permanent resident pathways.

Effective immediately, Quebec is no longer accepting applications for the Quebec Experience Program – Quebec Graduates (PEQ – Diplômés), and will cease to issue invitations to candidates for the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ).

These programs act as pathways to permanent residency in Canada.

These suspensions will remain in effect until June 30, 2025.

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Reduction of PEQ – Diplômés CSQs and lowering of PR admissions targets

According to Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan, released today, the Quebec government expects that the pause will dramatically reduce the number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) issued to PEQ Graduates from the projected 14,500 in 2024 to a target of 4500 – 5700 for 2025.

The Ministry says the suspension will contribute to a lower target for admissions to permanent residence through this program: 13,500 to 15,000 in 2025. Without this suspension, between 15,000 and 19,000 admissions were projected in 2025.

While the province plans to maintain its top level permanent residence admissions target of 50,000 for 2025, this target will now include those selected under the PEQ graduate program. Last year, the number of graduates admitted through the PEQ Diplômés was considered separately within Quebec’s annual Immigration Levels Plan.

Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, Jean-François Roberge, says the measures are aimed at curbing the increase of immigrants into the province in the coming years.

Only the graduate stream of the PEQ has been paused. The PEQ worker stream remains open.

Pause on Regular Skilled Worker Program and Skilled Worker Selection Program

The Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration has confirmed that it will no longer issue invitations to apply for permanent selection under the PRTQ, nor the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), which will replace the PRTQ as of November 29, 2024.

The Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) is responsible for the highest number of admissions in Quebec immigration. The program pause aims to give the province time to revamp the program and introduce the Qualified Skilled Worker Selection Program on November 29.

The province forecasts admissions of up to 32,900 economic immigrants in 2025 according to Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025.

Eligibility for PEQ worker stream

To be eligible for the worker stream of the PEQ, applicants must

• show an intention to settle in Quebec to hold a job. Employment cannot be in a ineligible sector;
• have stayed temporarily in Quebec for the purposes of work;
• have had full-time work experience in Quebec for at least 24 months of the 36 months preceding the submission of an application in a 0, A or B level job;
• have legal status in Quebec as a temporary worker or as part of a youth exchange program, such as International Experience Canada (IEC) (Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op Internship); and
• be legally in Quebec at the time of the application.

Other recent developments

Quebec has recently implemented multiple changes to its immigration system. For example, earlier this month the province introduced a cap on the number of admissions of foreign nationals invited under the Regular Skilled Worker Program from any one country. Quebec said foreign nationals of any one country could account for only 25% of admissions under the PRTQ.

The province also announced that it would no longer accept applications from employers in Montreal seeking to hire temporary foreign workers for jobs that pay less than the median provincial hourly wage.

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