Quebec Skilled Worker Program

The Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, PSTQ) is Quebec's program for qualified professionals who intend to live and work in the province. The program replaced the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) and uses the Arrima system to select candidates.

After the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) stopped accepting applications on November 19, 2025, PSTQ became the main pathway for skilled workers to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), although certain pilot programs continue to operate until January 1, 2026.

On November 29, 2024, the PRTQ program was replaced by PSTQ (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés)

Who Should Really Consider Applying

According to the official statement from Quebec's Ministry of Immigration, priority is given to candidates who:

• already live in Quebec;
• have Quebec education or work experience in the province;
• speak French at a high level;
• work in occupations in demand on the labor market, especially in regions outside Montreal.

For candidates without ties to Quebec (education, work experience, or residence in the province), getting an invitation under current conditions is extremely difficult. If you don't have Quebec experience and strong French skills, we recommend considering other Canadian immigration programs.

Requirements

Candidates wishing to immigrate through the PSTQ program must meet the following general requirements:

• be at least 18 years old;
• intend to live and work in the province of Quebec (not as self-employed and not in prohibited sectors);
• have French language proficiency at the level required for the corresponding stream (French is mandatory for streams 1, 2, and 3 and must be proven exclusively through officially recognized tests: TCF-Québec, TCF-Canada, TCF, DELF, DALF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF; self-declaration is not accepted; some French-language high school diplomas from France, Belgium, and Switzerland may also be considered);
• obtain certification of knowledge of democratic and Quebec values (also required for accompanying family members over 18);
• sign a financial self-sufficiency contract for the first three months after receiving permanent residence.

The PSTQ program is divided into four streams, each with its own specific requirements for education, work experience, and French language level.

Four PSTQ Program Streams

Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills (FEER categories 0, 1, 2)

• minimum 1 year of paid work experience in the main occupation within the last 5 years;
• diploma leading to practice of the profession, at least 1 year in duration (vocational, college, or university level);
• oral French — level 7 or higher, written — level 5 or higher on the Quebec scale;
• spouse's oral French at level 4 or higher provides additional points in ranking.

Stream 2: Medium Skills and Manual Labor (FEER categories 3, 4, 5)

• minimum 2 years of paid work experience within the last 5 years, including at least 1 year in Quebec — this is an official program requirement;
• minimum high school diploma or vocational education diploma;
• oral French — level 5 or higher on the Quebec scale;
• spouse's oral French at level 4 or higher provides additional points in ranking.

Stream 3: Regulated Professions

• main occupation must be on Quebec's list of regulated professions;
• have a license to practice in Quebec or confirmation of partial/full credential recognition from the regulatory body — without this document, an Arrima profile is practically not considered;
• the process of credential recognition by the regulatory body can take significant time and should be started well in advance;
• French language requirements depend on the profession's FEER category (as in streams 1 or 2).

Stream 4: Exceptional Talent

• minimum 3 years of work experience in the main occupation within the last 5 years;
• achievement document from the Ministry's list or positive opinion from a Ministry partner in strategic economic sectors, research, arts, or sports;
• if using an achievement document, a doctoral degree is required.

Stream 4 is a niche, exceptional immigration pathway. It's not designed for mass selection: according to official 2025 round statistics, this stream issues only a few dozen invitations per round.

Application Submission and Scoring System

To participate in the PSTQ program, candidates must create a profile (declaration of interest) on the provincial Arrima portal. Profiles created before November 29, 2024 must be updated to meet PSTQ requirements, otherwise they won't be included in the ranking.

The scoring system awards up to 1,400 points across the following categories:

The number of people wanting to join the Cana...

China offers Canada joint production of elect...

Trump stripped Canada of its seat on the pres...

Canadians rallied around Prime Minister Carne...

Arctic cold has covered Canada with temperatu...

Trump lashed out at Carney after his speech i...

Canadian companies plan to raise salaries by ...

Gold breaks records and continues to rise des...

Prime Minister Carney concludes a nine-day wo...

Cenovus Energy is preparing to sell assets in...

Carney in Davos declared the breakdown of the...

German submarine manufacturer prepares multi-...

1. Human Capital — up to 520 points:

• French language — up to 200 points (up to 50 points for each skill: listening, speaking, reading, writing);
• age — up to 120 points (maximum for candidates aged 20-30);
• work experience — up to 70 points;
• education — up to 130 points.

2. Quebec Labor Market Needs — up to 700 points:

• labor market diagnosis combined with work experience — up to 120 points;
• Quebec education — up to 200 points;
• work experience in Quebec — up to 160 points (experience less than 12 months = 0 points; 12-23 months = 40 points; 48 months or more = 160 points);
• regional factors (residence, work, and study outside Montreal) — up to 120 points;
• validated job offer — up to 50 points;
• credential recognition — 50 points.

3. Additional Adaptation Factors — up to 180 points:

• study in Quebec without obtaining a diploma — up to 30 points;
• relatives in Quebec — up to 10 points;
• spouse factors: French language, age, education, work experience in Quebec, Quebec diploma.

It's important to understand: there is no fixed passing score in the Arrima system. It's a ranking system, not a threshold system — points only matter in comparison to other candidates in a specific invitation round. A high score doesn't guarantee an invitation if other candidates scored higher.

Selection Process

Invitations are issued separately for each stream. In December 2025, an invitation round was held in which 1,870 invitations were issued: 605 for stream 1, 604 for stream 2, 649 for stream 3, and 12 for stream 4. The distribution of invitations between streams is uneven and depends on the Ministry's priorities.

Timelines after receiving an invitation:

• 30 days to accept or decline the invitation;
• 60 days after acceptance to submit your application (for streams 1, 2, and 4);
• 12 months after acceptance to submit your application (for stream 3 — regulated professions, if you don't yet have confirmation from the regulatory body).

The immigration process through PSTQ consists of several stages:

• creating and maintaining an up-to-date profile in Arrima;
• receiving an invitation to apply (if you meet the round's criteria);
• accepting the invitation and submitting your application for permanent selection within the specified timeframes;
• receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) if your application is approved;
• submitting your permanent residence application to the federal authorities (IRCC).

The CSQ is valid for 2 years (however, if your federal application is being processed, the CSQ remains valid until IRCC makes a decision). Getting a CSQ doesn't guarantee permanent residence — the federal government conducts its own review, including a medical examination and security check. The federal stage can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months or longer.