Quebec has issued more than 2,500 invitations to skilled workers to apply for permanent selection through its Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), also known as the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés.
The selections occurred on February 23, 2026 (with some sources referencing February 26 publication or data extraction date), marking the second draw of 2026 under this program. This pathway has become the primary route for skilled workers seeking to immigrate to Quebec, especially following the closure of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
In total, the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) distributed 2,573 invitations across the four streams of the PSTQ via the Arrima platform. These draws targeted profiles with Quebec diplomas, work experience in the province, strong French proficiency, and occupations aligned with labor market needs in sectors such as health care, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and regulated professions.
Here is the breakdown of invitations by stream:
- Stream One: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills (TEER 0, 1, or 2) — 901 invitations across three selections
- Quebec diploma (at least 900 hours vocational/college or 30 university credits): 254 invitations (minimum score 741)
- Quebec diploma + priority occupations (specific NOC codes like Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers, Physician assistants, Sheet metal workers): 419 invitations (minimum score 627)
- Quebec diploma (general): 234 invitations (minimum score 722)
- Stream Two: Intermediate and Manual Skills (TEER 3-5, non-regulated) — 495 invitations across three selections
- Quebec diploma: 104 invitations (minimum score 756)
- Priority occupations (e.g., Nursing assistants, Concrete Finishers, Heavy Equipment Operators): 194 invitations (minimum score 562)
- Minimum score (general): 197 invitations (minimum score 688)
- Stream Three: Regulated Professions — 1,141 invitations across six selections
- Quebec diploma: 151 invitations (minimum score 730)
- In-demand TEER 0-2 occupations (e.g., Civil Engineers, Registered Nurses, Electricians): 841 invitations (minimum score 632)
- Physicians (specific NOC with authorization to practice): 39 invitations
- In-demand TEER 3-5 occupations: 30 invitations (minimum score 452, French oral ≥ NCLC 5)
- TEER 0-2 occupations (general regulated): 70 invitations (minimum score 693)
- TEER 3-5 occupations (general regulated): 10 invitations (minimum score 774, French oral ≥ NCLC 5)
- Stream Four: Exceptional Talents — 20 invitations across two main selections (plus a small number under general criteria)
- Positive opinion letter + three years work experience: 3 invitations
- Exceptional achievement + three years work experience (Quebec-equivalent doctorate level): 3 invitations
Common requirements across streams included residing in Quebec, relevant work experience (typically 12–24 months in the last five years, often with Quebec-specific time), French language proficiency on the Québec Scale (e.g., oral level 7+ and written 5+ for higher streams; oral level 5+ for intermediate), and spouse language at level 4+ oral where applicable. Priority was given to those with Quebec education credentials and in-demand occupations to support economic integration and address labor shortages.
Invited candidates must submit a complete application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) within the timeframe specified in their invitation. Upon approval, they can then apply for permanent residence through federal immigration channels.
This draw reflects Quebec's ongoing strategy to prioritize francophone integration, local training and experience, and targeted occupations to meet provincial economic and demographic goals in 2026, with plans to select nearly 29,000 skilled workers through PSTQ over the year via more regular monthly-style invitations.
