Quebec Invites 519 Workers Through PSTQ in Latest Permanent Selection Draw

Quebec has invited 519 skilled workers to apply for permanent selection under the Skilled Worker Selection Program, also known as the PSTQ.

The invitations were issued on September 24, 2026, across all four streams of the program. Most invitations went to candidates under Stream 2, which is designed for workers in intermediate and manual occupations.

Selected candidates can now submit a complete application for a Quebec Selection Certificate, or CSQ. If approved, they can use the CSQ to apply to the federal government for permanent residence and settle in Quebec.

Applicants already living in Canada may also become eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit after submitting their permanent residence application.

Quebec PSTQ Draw Details

This was the ninth PSTQ selection round conducted by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration in 2026.

The 519 invitations were issued under the following four streams:

• Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
• Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
• Stream 3: Regulated professions
• Stream 4: Exceptional talent
  
  

Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills

Quebec issued 86 invitations under Stream 1 across three different selection exercises.

This stream targeted workers in TEER 0, 1 and 2 occupations who:

• Were living in Quebec
• Had at least 12 months of work experience in their main occupation
• Gained that experience within the last five years
• Met the requirements of the specific selection exercise
  
  

The results were:

• Exercise 1: 37 invitations, cutoff score 634
• Exercise 2: 8 invitations, cutoff score 706
• Exercise 3: 41 invitations, cutoff score 696

Eligible profiles were taken from the Arrima candidate pool on September 21, 2026.

Priority Occupations Under Exercise 1

Exercise 1 focused mainly on healthcare, education, social services and natural sciences occupations.

Targeted occupations included:

• Biologists and related scientists
• Early childhood educators and assistants
• Instructors for persons with disabilities
• Other health diagnosing and treating professionals
• Therapy and assessment professionals
• Pharmacy technicians
• Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
• Physicists and astronomers
• Social and community service workers
• Counselling therapists and related professionals
  
  

Occupations Targeted Under Exercise 2

Exercise 2 focused on two occupations:

• Chefs
• Food service supervisors
  
  

Priority Occupations Under Exercise 3

Exercise 3 mainly targeted engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades and technology occupations.

These included workers such as:

• Aircraft mechanics and inspectors
• Automotive service technicians
• Bricklayers
• Carpenters
• Civil engineering technologists and technicians
• Cybersecurity specialists
• Data scientists
• Electrical mechanics
• Engineering managers
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• Industrial and manufacturing engineers
• Machinists
• Powerline technicians
• Sheet metal workers
• Steamfitters and pipefitters
• Welders
  
  

Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills

Stream 2 received the highest number of invitations in this draw.

Quebec issued 316 invitations under this stream across four exercises.

Candidates generally needed to:

• Work in a TEER 3, 4 or 5 occupation
• Be living in Quebec
• Have at least 24 months of work experience in their main occupation within the last five years
• Have at least 12 months of that experience gained in Quebec

The results were:

• Exercise 1: 48 invitations, cutoff score 631
• Exercise 2: Between 10 and 15 invitations, cutoff score 706
• Exercise 3: Fewer than 5 invitations, cutoff score 698
• Exercise 4: 254 invitations, cutoff score 611
  
  

Occupations Targeted Under Exercise 1

This exercise focused on healthcare, education and home care occupations, including:

• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
• Home support workers and caregivers
• Medical administrative assistants
• Medical laboratory assistants
• Nurse aides and patient service associates
• Pharmacy technical assistants
  
  

Occupations Targeted Under Exercise 2

Two occupations were specifically targeted:

• Cooks
• Light duty cleaners
  
  

Occupations Targeted Under Exercise 3

This exercise mainly focused on construction, manufacturing and transportation occupations, including:

• Aircraft assemblers and inspectors
• Concrete finishers
• Construction trades helpers and labourers
• Floor covering installers
• Glaziers
• Machining tool operators
• Painters and decorators
• Drywall installers and finishers
• Roofers and shinglers
• Tilesetters
• Transport truck drivers
  
  

Exercise 4

For Exercise 4, candidates needed to have a primary occupation classified under TEER 4 or 5.

Quebec did not publish a specific list of occupations for this exercise.

Stream 3: Regulated Professions

Quebec issued 110 invitations under Stream 3.

This stream targeted candidates living in Quebec who intended to work in regulated professions.

The results were:

• Exercise 1: 69 invitations, cutoff score 631
• Exercise 2: 37 invitations, cutoff score 697
• Exercise 3: Fewer than 5 invitations, cutoff score 696
• Exercise 4: Fewer than 5 invitations, cutoff score 380
  
  

Healthcare, Education and Social Service Occupations

Exercise 1 focused on a wide range of regulated occupations in healthcare, education and social services.

Some of the targeted occupations included:

• Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
• Dentists
• Dietitians and nutritionists
• Early childhood educators
• Elementary school teachers
• Family physicians
• Licensed practical nurses
• Medical laboratory technologists
• Medical radiation technologists
• Nurse practitioners
• Occupational therapists
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Registered nurses
• Social workers
• Secondary school teachers
• Veterinarians
  
  

Engineering, Trades and Transportation Occupations

Exercise 2 targeted regulated occupations in engineering, construction, trades and transportation.

These included:

• Aerospace engineers
• Civil engineers
• Electrical engineers
• Mechanical engineers
• Industrial engineers
• Electricians
• Industrial electricians
• Plumbers
• Carpenters
• Bricklayers
• Crane operators
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• Sheet metal workers
• Welders
  
  

Construction Occupations Under Exercise 3

Exercise 3 mainly focused on construction-related occupations, including:

• Concrete finishers
• Construction labourers
• Floor covering installers
• Glaziers
• Painters and decorators
• Drywall installers and finishers
• Roofers
• Tilesetters
  
  

For Exercise 4, candidates needed to show an intention to work in a regulated TEER 4 or 5 occupation. No specific occupation list was provided.

Stream 4: Exceptional Talent

Quebec issued seven invitations under Stream 4.

Candidates under this stream generally needed at least 36 months of work experience in their main occupation within the last five years.

Two selection exercises were conducted.

Exercise 1: Positive Opinion Letter

Candidates needed a positive opinion letter from one of MIFI’s recognized partners in a targeted field.

Fewer than five invitations were issued under this exercise.

Exercise 2: Exceptional Achievement and Doctorate

Candidates needed to:

• Have an achievement listed on Quebec’s List of Exceptional Achievements
• Have an education level equal to a Quebec doctorate, including certain undergraduate doctorates
  
  

Fewer than five invitations were issued under this exercise.

Candidates also had to meet the general eligibility requirements of at least one of the four PSTQ streams.

What Is the Skilled Worker Selection Program?

The Skilled Worker Selection Program is one of Quebec’s main economic immigration pathways for foreign workers who want to become permanent residents.

Interested candidates must first create a declaration of interest through Arrima.

Eligible profiles are then placed in Quebec’s declaration-of-interest pool and assessed using factors related to their ability to integrate economically and socially in the province.

A candidate’s occupation and its National Occupational Classification code can play an important role in determining which PSTQ stream applies to them.

Candidates who meet the requirements of a particular selection round may receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection.

If approved, they receive a Quebec Selection Certificate and can then proceed to the federal permanent residence stage.

Quebec Is Adjusting PSTQ Invitations

Quebec has adjusted its PSTQ selection strategy following the reopening of the Quebec Experience Program on July 2, 2026.

Until the first PEQ intake period closes on October 31, 2026, the province is reducing PSTQ invitation volumes and focusing mainly on:

• Candidates in TEER 4 and 5 occupations
• Candidates with less than two years of work experience
  
  

From November 2026, Quebec plans to adjust the number of PSTQ invitations based on the number of applications received under the first PEQ intake.

The province aims to align immigration admissions with its 2026–2029 immigration targets.

Quebec also intends to issue an equal number of CSQs through the PSTQ and PEQ between June 10, 2026, and the end of the planning period in 2029.

What This Draw Means for Candidates

The September 24 PSTQ draw shows that Quebec continues to target workers across a wide range of occupations.

The largest number of invitations went to workers in intermediate and manual occupations, while healthcare, education, engineering, skilled trades, construction and regulated professions also remained important areas of selection.

Candidates interested in Quebec immigration should make sure their profile is complete and up to date, and that their occupation, work experience and qualifications are correctly reflected in their profile.

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation, as Quebec may change selection criteria, occupation priorities and invitation volumes in future rounds.