In recent months, permanent immigration to Canada and Quebec has undergone significant changes.
Between the first year of application of the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSSTQ), the reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), the new rules for submitting applications for engagement and amendments to Canadian citizenship, candidates now have to deal with a reformed regulatory framework.
Immetis presents the main changes to remember in terms of permanent immigration in 2026.
The PSTQ stands out as the main route of permanent immigration to Quebec
Since July 1, 2025, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSSTQ) is the main route of permanent economic immigration in Quebec.
The PSTQ favors in particular candidates who:
* already residing in Quebec;
* practice a profession in a priority sector;
* Master the French language.
Although workers employed in Fairy 4 and 5 are not eligible under the PEQ Temporary Foreign Worker, they benefit, under sections 2 and 3 of the PSQP, from priority treatment during the rounds of invitations.
Prioritization of request processing
The Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) has announced a temporary measure to accelerate the processing of certain permanent selection applications filed under the PSTQ.
This measure prioritizes holders of Open work permit In the order of permits already expired, then permits coming to expiry. Subsequently, the holders of Closed work permit will be treated in the same order.
A permit is considered to be “soon to expire” when it expires no later than August 13, 2026 or within three months of filing the application for permanent selection.
This measure applies to applications submitted since July 17, 2025 and will remain in force until May 13, 2027.
Temporary measure for candidates invited under the PSTQ
The federal government also introduced a measure to facilitate the maintenance of the status of candidates and their families.
This temporary measure concerns workers invited to submit a permanent selection request within the framework of the PSTQ.
Thus, holders of a work permit linked to an employer (either obtained within the framework of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (PET) or from International Mobility Program (PMI)) expiring between March 13 and December 31, 2026 may obtain an extension of their closed work permit for a period of 12 months provided that the position is located in Quebec, for the same employer.
Since June 5, 2026, their spouse or common-law partner may also request an extension of their open work permit for the same duration, provided that it is included in the permanent selection request under the PSTQ.
Reopening of the PEQ: an expected return
After several months of suspension, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) has officially reopened for a transitional period of two years, from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028.
With regard to the first reception period having started on July 2 and ending on October 31, 2026, eligible applications concern persons who already met the criteria of the applicable component under the PEQ before its suspension on November 19, 2025.
End of the obligation to study in French – graduate component of Québec
Among the most significant changes of the PEQ is the abolition of the obligation to have studied in a French-speaking establishment for the Quebec graduates.
Graduates from English-speaking institutions can now apply, provided they meet the other program requirements.
It is no longer necessary:
* to have completed a study program in French;
* nor to have completed three years of full-time high school or post-secondary education in French.
Any qualifying diploma obtained in Quebec can now be considered regardless of the language of instruction.
Maintaining Language Requirements – Streams
Despite the end of the obligation to have studied in a French-speaking establishment, the Quebec graduates must demonstrate knowledge of French level 7 in oral and level 5 in writing according to the Quebec scale of French proficiency levels.
The Temporary foreign workers Must have a knowledge of French level 7 in the oral according to the Quebec scale of the levels of competence in French.
For accompanying spouses, they must have knowledge of level 4 French orally.
Possibility of longer processing times
The reopening of the PEQ is expected to lead to a large volume of new requests to be processed for MiFi.
Unlike the former PEQ program, no official six-month treatment commitment has been renewed. Applicants must therefore plan for a potentially longer waiting period.
Engagement request: New limits in Quebec
Quebec has tightened the management of the volumes of commitment requests in order to better control the levels of permanent immigration.
Some categories are now subject to limited limits and periods of receipt of commitment requests.
People wishing to sponsor:
* A spouse or spouse;
* a parent;
* A grandparent.
must now carefully check the opening periods and the availability of places before submitting their file for the application for commitment in Quebec.
Suspension of new sponsorship requests from federal parents and grandparents
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) suspends receipt of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Through this suspension, IRCC hopes to reduce the processing times for pending requests.
Citizenship by filiation: a historical reform
In December 2025, the Canadian government made significant amendments to the Citizenship Act.
Previously, the transmission of citizenship to a child born abroad to a Canadian parent was limited to the first generation.
The reform puts an end to this limit. From now on, citizenship can be transmitted beyond of the first generation, which considerably widens the scope of the people concerned.
The new provisions concern in particular:
- children of Canadian citizens born abroad;
- grandchildren of Canadian citizens;
- Some people who were once excluded from the citizenship regime, often referred to as “lost Canadians”.
Important: The Reformation does not remove all conditions.
Thus, to transmit citizenship to a child born abroad after December 15, 2025, the Canadian parent must demonstrate at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child is born or adopted.
What to remember
The changes announced in the past year confirm a clear direction of Québec and Canadian immigration authorities: fostering the transition to the permanent residence of people already integrated into the labor market while further targeting profiles that meet economic needs.
For temporary foreign workers, international students, employers and families, it becomes essential to revise their immigration strategies to:
* To take advantage of the new measures available;
* to anticipate applicable restrictions and processing times;
* To maximize their chances of obtaining permanent residence.
In a constantly changing regulatory environment, strategic planning remains the best way to secure an immigration project in Canada and Quebec.
Need to assess your permanent immigration eligibility or adapt your immigration strategy? Our team of professionals are there to accompany you at every stage of your journey to permanent residence.