Quebec Skilled Worker (PSTQ)

Summary

The Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) is Quebec's skilled-worker immigration program. Under the Canada–Quebec Accord, Quebec selects its own economic immigrants independently of the federal Express Entry system — successful candidates receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), Quebec's official selection certificate, then file a federal permanent-residence application that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processes against criminality and medical admissibility only.

PSTQ replaced the older PRTQ on November 29, 2024. It is delivered through Quebec's Arrima portal, an Expression-of-Interest system: candidates create a profile, the ministry (MIFI, Quebec's immigration ministry) runs periodic draws, and invitations are issued based on stream-specific criteria.

PSTQ is heavily weighted toward French ability. Quebec's current rules and invitation rounds place significant weight on spoken French, especially for higher-skilled jobs. TEER is Canada's job-skill grouping system. Applicants without working French should treat this as a longer-term plan rather than an immediate route.

Eligibility

PSTQ has four streams, each with its own criteria. These are the main requirements to understand before entering Arrima:

• Work experience — depends on the stream and occupation. Recent 2026 Stream 1 invitations required at least 12 months in the main occupation over the last 5 years; regulated professions may require more.
• Post-secondary education — a completed diploma, degree, or equivalent. Foreign credentials need a Évaluation comparative des études effectuées hors du Québec issued by MIFI (separate from a federal ECA).
• French language — a core requirement. The level depends on the stream, occupation, and current invitation criteria. Your accompanying spouse or partner may also need spoken French.
• Settlement funds — approximately CAD 3,908 for a single applicant, scaling with family size.
• Intent to settle in Quebec — the CSQ is conditional on settling in Quebec. Relocating to another province shortly after landing undermines the good-faith basis of the application.
• Admissibility — standard federal medical and criminal checks.

The four PSTQ streams

1. Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills — usually TEER 0, 1, or 2 occupations that are not regulated professions.
2. Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills — usually TEER 3, 4, or 5 occupations.
3. Stream 3: Regulated professions — professions that require recognition or authorization by a Quebec regulator.
4. Stream 4: Exceptional talent — exceptional cultural, sports, research, business, or other talent profiles.

Quebec decides which stream fits your profile based mainly on your declared main occupation and its TEER/regulatory status.

Scoring mechanics

The Arrima grid awards points across:

• French (largest weight) — significant points for B2+, much less for A1/A2, near-zero for no French.
• Age — 18 to 35 gets maximum points; drops sharply past 40.
• Education level and field — bonus points for fields Quebec targets (healthcare, IT, engineering, construction trades, education).
• Work experience — quantity and relevance.
• Quebec connection — prior study, work, family, or validated job offer.
• Spouse's profile — a French-speaking accompanying spouse adds points.

The Quebec job offer option

A validated job offer (EIMT/LMIA-like validation issued by MIFI) can substantially compensate for weaker French. The employer must:

• Have tried to recruit in Quebec first,
• Submit the job offer for MIFI validation,
• Pay the validation fee (around CAD 221).

A validated job offer in a priority sector can make a profile much stronger, but it does not remove the need to meet Quebec's current stream and invitation rules.

Duration, Renewal, and Long-Term Path

• Duration: Permanent residence once Quebec selection and federal PR are approved.
• Renewal: Can support Canadian citizenship after physical-presence rules are met.

What This Route Allows

This route can allow you to live in Canada for qualifying work, usually with a specific employer, role, or approved work activity. Eligible family members may be able to accompany you when this pathway accepts dependants. Confirm the dependant file before relying on it: relationship records, minimum income or housing if required, health insurance or background checks, and whether dependants receive work authorization or residence only.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a general open work permission. Work routes usually depend on a qualifying job, employer, occupation, salary, or transfer arrangement.

Next Steps

1. Assess your French level honestly. If you are below upper-intermediate French, your first step is language study. Quebec may invite some lower-TEER profiles with lower spoken-French thresholds, but French remains central.
2. Find your NOC/TEER and whether your occupation is regulated. NOC is Canada's occupation-classification system, and TEER is its skill grouping. This determines which PSTQ stream you may be invited under.
3. Take an approved French test — TEF Canada, TEFAQ, or TCF Québec. Results are valid 2 years.
4. Create an Arrima profile. Quebec's Portail Arrima is separate from the federal Express Entry system. Your profile remains in the pool for up to 12 months.
5. Wait for an invitation (DRD). Quebec runs periodic Arrima draws. Priority sectors and French-speakers are drawn first.
6. Once invited, file the CSQ application and check Quebec's current fee list before submitting.
7. After receiving the CSQ, file the federal PR application with IRCC. This is a Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker application, separate from Express Entry.
8. Remember that Quebec selection fees and federal permanent-residence fees are separate.

The path from Arrima profile to PR landing varies by draw activity, Quebec selection processing, and federal PR processing.

Sources

• Québec — Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés — official program page.
• Québec — PSTQ requirements — current general and stream-specific requirements.
• Québec — PSTQ invitations 2026 — current invitation criteria by stream.
• Québec — Arrima / online immigration services — the Expression-of-Interest portal.
• Québec — Comparative evaluation of studies — foreign-credential assessment.
• IRCC — Quebec-selected skilled workers — federal PR application after CSQ.
• Canada–Quebec Accord relating to Immigration — the constitutional basis for Quebec's independent selection.