Québec Unveils Its Immigration Planning for 2026–2029: What You Need to Know

On November 6, 2025, just two days after the federal government released its own immigration targets, the province of Québec finally lifted the curtain on its long-awaited immigration planning for the 2026–2029 period. The announcement covers both permanent and temporary immigration thresholds and signals a clear shift toward greater selectivity, stronger francophone integration, and tighter control over who enters and stays in the province.

A Significant Drop in Permanent Immigration

The numbers tell a telling story. Québec has opted for what was presented as the most generous of three scenarios proposed back in June 2025, yet even this “generous” option represents a reduction of 15,000 admissions compared to 2025, a drop of 25%. Going forward, the province will welcome a maximum of 45,000 permanent residents per year across all immigration categories.

Here is how that breaks down:

• Family reunification: up to 10,000 admissions per year
• Economic immigration: up to 28,800 admissions per year, representing 64% of total permanent immigration in line with federal objectives
• Refugees and humanitarian cases: approximately 5,750 refugees annually, plus 450 individuals under other humanitarian or special circumstances

One particularly notable target: the province aims for 65% of permanent admissions to go to individuals already living in Québec on temporary status, a move that rewards those already integrated into the provincial fabric.

Temporary Immigration: A First-Ever Cap

In a historic move, Québec has proposed thresholds for temporary immigration for the very first time, a jurisdiction it shares with the federal government. By 2029, the province aims to cap temporary residents at:

• 65,000 work permit holders
• 110,000 study permit holders
• For a combined total of 175,000 temporary residents, down from just over 200,000 in 2025

For 2026 specifically, a maximum of 175,500 temporary work and study permits will be issued in Québec.

The province is also maintaining its request to Ottawa to limit federally issued temporary permits, particularly those under the International Mobility Program, to 200,000 per year in Québec. It is also pushing for a reduction in asylum seekers and a better distribution of refugee intake across Canadian provinces.

The End of the PEQ: A Major Turning Point

Perhaps the most significant structural change in this planning cycle is the abolition of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ), effective November 19, 2025.

The PEQ had long been one of the most accessible and predictable pathways to permanent residency in Québec, offering a degree of certainty to foreign workers, international students, and employers alike. Its two streams, “Québec Graduates” and “Temporary Foreign Workers,” had already been frozen since June 2025, and the writing had been on the wall for some time.

With the PEQ gone, the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) becomes the sole pathway to permanent residency in Québec. This reflects the government’s stated ambition to be as selective as possible in its immigration choices, prioritizing candidates who directly address the province’s economic and labor market needs.

Applications submitted under the Temporary Foreign Workers stream before June 5, 2025, will still be processed by the MIFI.

Ongoing Restrictions to Be Aware Of

Several existing restrictions remain firmly in place:

• Collective refugee sponsorship applications from abroad remain suspended until December 31, 2029. Québec is prioritizing refugees already present on its territory
• Low-wage LMIA applications (hourly wages below $34.62 CAD) in the administrative regions of Montréal and Laval remain suspended until December 31, 2026, including simplified processing and permit renewals for workers already employed in those areas

A Clear Francophone Priority

Language is at the heart of Québec’s immigration vision for the coming years. The province is targeting a rate of over 77% French proficiency among permanent immigrants.

Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, workers who have accumulated three years of employment in Québec will now be required to demonstrate oral French proficiency at level 4 in order to obtain or renew their Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ). This measure came into effect on December 17, 2025, though a transitional period allows temporary foreign workers currently in the province to reach the required French level by December 17, 2028.

Exemptions apply to agricultural temporary workers, employees of foreign political divisions, and staff of internationally recognized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) recognized by the Québec government.

The Bottom Line

Québec’s 2026–2029 immigration planning reflects a deliberate pivot: fewer admissions, stronger language requirements, a preference for those already present in the province, and a sharper economic focus. For anyone considering immigrating to Québec in the coming years, understanding these new rules is not optional. It is essential. The landscape has changed, and adapting your strategy accordingly could make all the difference.