Permanent immigration to Canada and Quebec in 2026: key changes you need to know

In recent months, permanent immigration in Canada and Quebec has undergone significant changes.

Between the first year of the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), the reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), new requirements for undertaking applications, and changes to Canadian citizenship rules, applicants must now navigate a significantly revised regulatory framework.

Immetis presents the key permanent immigration changes to keep in mind for 2026.

The PSTQ becomes the main pathway to permanent immigration in Quebec

Since July 1, 2025, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) has become Quebec’s primary pathway for permanent economic immigration.

The PSTQ particularly favors candidates who:

• already reside in Quebec;
• are employed in a priority sector;
• are proficient in French.

Although workers in TEER 4 and 5 occupations are not eligible under the Temporary Foreign Worker Stream of the PEQ, they benefit from priority consideration in invitation rounds under Streams 2 and 3 of the PSTQ.

Priority processing of applications

The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has implemented a temporary measure designed to prioritize and accelerate the processing of certain permanent selection applications filed under the PSTQ.

This measure prioritizes holders of open work permits, giving precedence first to those whose permits have already expired, followed by those whose permits are approaching their expiry date. Holders of closed work permits are then processed according to the same order of priority.

A permit is considered to be “approaching expiry” if it expires no later than August 13, 2026, or within three months following the submission of the permanent selection application.

This measure applies to permanent selection applications submitted on or after July 17, 2025, and will remain in effect until May 13, 2027.

Temporary measure for candidates invited under the PSTQ

The federal government has also introduced a measure aimed at helping applicants and their family members maintain their legal status in Canada.

This temporary measure applies to workers who have been invited to submit an application for permanent selection under the PSTQ.

As a result, holders of employer-specific work permits, whether issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP), whose permits expire between March 13 and December 31, 2026, may be eligible for a 12‑month extension of their closed work permit, provided that the position is located in Quebec and that they remain employed by the same employer.

Since June 5, 2026, their spouse or common-law partner may also apply for an extension of their open work permit for the same duration, provided they are included in the permanent selection application submitted under the PSTQ.

Reopening of the PEQ: a long-awaited return

Following several months of suspension, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) officially reopened on July 2, 2026, for a transitional two-year period ending on July 2, 2028.

For the first intake period, running from July 2 to October 31, 2026, eligible applicants are those who satisfied the requirements of the relevant PEQ stream prior to its suspension on November 19, 2025.

End of the French-language study requirement – Quebec Graduates Stream

One of the most significant changes to the PEQ is the removal of the requirement for applicants under the Quebec Graduates Stream to have studied at a French-language educational institution.

Graduates of English-language institutions may now apply, provided they meet the program’s other eligibility requirements.

It is no longer necessary to:

• have completed a study program in French;
• nor have completed three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary education in French.

Tout diplôme admissible obtenu au Québec peut maintenant être considéré, peu importe la langue d’enseignement.

Maintenance of language requirements across PEQ streams

Despite the removal of the requirement to have studied at a French-language institution, applicants under the Quebec Graduates Stream must still demonstrate French proficiency at level 7 in speaking and level 5 in writing, according to the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels.

Applicants under the Temporary Foreign Worker Stream must, for their part, demonstrate oral French proficiency at level 7 according to the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels.

Accompanying spouses, meanwhile, must demonstrate oral French proficiency at level 4 according to the Quebec Scale of French Proficiency Levels.

Potential for longer processing times

The reopening of the PEQ is expected to result in a significant increase in the number of new applications to be processed by the MIFI.

Unlike the previous version of the PEQ, the government has not renewed its commitment to processing applications within six months. As a result, applicants should be prepared for potentially longer processing times.

Undertaking applications: new limits in Quebec

Quebec has tightened the management of undertaking application volumes in order to better control permanent immigration levels.

Certain categories are now subject to application caps and limited intake periods for undertaking applications.

Individuals wishing to sponsor:

• a spouse or common-law partner;
• a parent;
• a grandparent.

must now carefully review intake periods and available application spaces before submitting an undertaking application in Quebec.

Suspension of new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications at the federal level

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has suspended the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program.

Through this suspension, IRCC aims to reduce processing times for applications already in progress.

Citizenship by descent: a historic reform

In December 2025, the Canadian government introduced significant changes to the Citizenship Act.

Previously, the transmission of Canadian citizenship to children born abroad was restricted to the first generation born outside Canada.

The reform eliminates this restriction. As a result, Canadian citizenship can now be passed on beyond the first generation born abroad, significantly expanding the number of individuals who may be eligible.

The new provisions apply in particular to:

• children of Canadian citizens born abroad;
• grandchildren of Canadian citizens;
• certain individuals who were previously excluded from the Canadian citizenship framework, often referred to as “Lost Canadians.”

Important: the reform does not eliminate all eligibility requirements.

Thus, in order to pass on Canadian citizenship to a child born or adopted abroad after December 15, 2025, the Canadian parent will need to demonstrate at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada prior to the child’s birth or adoption.

What to remember

The changes introduced over the past year reflect a clear policy direction from Quebec and Canadian immigration authorities: prioritizing pathways to permanent residence for individuals already established in the labour market, while more closely targeting candidates who meet economic and workforce needs.

For temporary foreign workers, international students, employers, and families, it is becoming increasingly important to review their immigration strategies in order to:

• to benefit from newly available measures;
• to anticipate applicable restrictions and processing delays;
• to maximize their chances of obtaining permanent resident status.

As immigration regulations continue to evolve, strategic planning remains essential to maximizing the success of an immigration project in Canada and Quebec.

Need to assess your eligibility for permanent immigration or refine your immigration strategy? Our team of professionals is here to guide you through every stage of your path to permanent residence.