Québec has held another major immigration draw under its Skilled Worker Selection Program, inviting 2,549 candidates across all four PSTQ streams. The latest round focused on workers already living in Québec, with different score thresholds, French requirements, education rules, and occupation targets depending on the stream and exercise.
Québec issues 2,549 invitations in latest PSTQ draw
Québec has invited 2,549 people to apply for permanent selection in a new round under its Skilled Worker Selection Program, known as the PSTQ. The province made these selections from the Arrima pool on June 1, 2026, and announced that invitations covered all four PSTQ streams.
This was Québec’s fifth draw of the year. The largest share of invitations went to candidates in Stream 1, which focuses on highly qualified and specialized workers. The draw also included candidates in intermediate and manual occupations, regulated professions, and exceptional talent categories.
For many applicants, this is an important reminder that Québec runs its own immigration system, separate from federal programmes such as Express Entry. While candidates elsewhere in Canada may focus on CRS scores and federal draws, people planning to settle in Québec often need to understand Arrima, provincial selection rules, and occupation-specific requirements. If you are comparing Québec with other Provincial Nominee Program options, it is worth reviewing how each pathway fits your work history, language ability, and long-term settlement plans.
The June 4 round was broad, but it was not open in a general way. Each stream had detailed conditions tied to education, work experience, French ability, and in some cases specific occupations. That means an invitation depended not just on being in Arrima, but on matching one of the province’s targeted selection exercises.
How the invitations were divided across the four streams
The draw was spread across four streams, with different volumes in each one. Stream 1 received the highest number of invitations, followed by Stream 2 and Stream 3. Stream 4 remained much smaller and was reserved for exceptional profiles.
| PSTQ stream | Invitations issued |
|---|---|
| Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills | 1,094 |
| Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills | 756 |
| Stream 3: Regulated professions | 677 |
| Stream 4: Exceptional talent | 22 |
Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
Stream 1 targeted workers in TEER 0, 1, or 2 occupations who were already living in Québec and had at least 12 months of work experience in the previous five years. In this round, 1,094 invitations were issued through four separate exercises.
All invited candidates in this stream needed strong French. They had to show at least level 7 in speaking and listening, plus level 5 in reading and writing. If a spouse was included, the spouse generally needed level 4 oral French. Candidates also needed to have completed one year of full-time study in Québec and hold an eligible provincial credential, such as a vocational diploma, college diploma, certificate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate.
The score cut-offs varied by exercise. Some exercises focused mainly on Québec graduates, while others also targeted people working in priority occupations. The lowest threshold in this stream was 379 points for candidates connected to priority occupations in health, education, and early childhood fields. Other exercises required scores of 666, 677, or 692.
Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
Stream 2 accounted for 756 invitations. This stream was aimed at workers in TEER 3, 4, or 5 occupations who were residing in Québec and had 24 months of work experience in the last five years, including at least 12 months in the province.
French requirements were lower than in Stream 1, but still important. Candidates needed at least level 5 in oral French, and accompanying spouses generally needed level 4 oral French. Education requirements included the equivalent of a Québec high school diploma, a two-year full-time post-secondary programme, or another full-time programme leading to an eligible Québec-equivalent credential.
Here again, Québec divided invitations among four exercises. Some were for holders of Québec diplomas, while others targeted priority occupations such as nurse aides, pharmacy assistants, cooks, food service workers, cleaners, and certain construction trades. Score thresholds ranged from 330 to 653 depending on the exercise.
Regulated professions and exceptional talent received targeted invitations
Stream 3: Regulated professions
Québec issued 677 invitations under Stream 3, which is reserved for people working in regulated professions and living in the province. To qualify, candidates had to practise a profession listed by the ministère on its regulated occupations list.
This stream included five separate exercises and a wide range of professions. Some selections focused on healthcare and education roles, while others targeted engineering and skilled trades linked to regulated practice. Occupations named by Québec included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, teachers, social workers, physiotherapists, dentists, electricians, plumbers, crane operators, and several engineering occupations.
French remained a major factor. In most Stream 3 exercises, candidates needed level 7 oral French and level 5 written French. In one exercise for TEER 3 to 5 occupations, the oral French threshold was lower at level 5. Score requirements ranged from 275 to 637 depending on the occupation group and exercise.
This part of the draw shows how important professional licensing can be in Canadian immigration. In many regulated occupations, immigration eligibility and the right to work are related but not identical. A person may qualify for selection yet still need provincial licensing or credential recognition before fully practising. That is why applicants in healthcare, teaching, engineering, and skilled trades should review both immigration rules and licensing steps early. For people considering alternatives outside Québec, other federal skilled worker pathways or province-specific streams may sometimes offer a better fit.
Stream 4: Exceptional talent
Only 22 invitations were issued under Stream 4, making it the smallest category in the draw. This stream is designed for candidates with exceptional profiles and at least 36 months of work experience in the previous five years.
Seventeen invitations went to candidates who had a positive opinion letter from a partner organization recognized by Québec’s immigration ministry in a targeted field. The remaining five invitations went to people who could prove an exceptional achievement and also had education equivalent to a Québec doctorate, including undergraduate doctorates where applicable.
This stream is highly selective and not relevant to most applicants, but it highlights Québec’s interest in attracting specialized talent with strong academic or professional distinction.
What this draw means for people planning immigration to Québec or Canada
The biggest lesson from this round is that Québec continues to favour candidates who are already established in the province. Many invited applicants had Québec education, local work experience, strong French, or employment in occupations facing shortages. In other words, this was not simply a points exercise. It was a targeted labour market selection.
For temporary residents in Québec, especially graduates and workers, this is encouraging news. A Québec diploma, local experience, and French ability can significantly improve your position in Arrima. If you are still building your profile, language preparation may be one of the most valuable next steps. Depending on your situation, results from TEF or TCF for French, and IELTS or CELPIP for English, may affect your wider Canadian immigration planning as well.
For applicants outside Québec, this draw is also useful as a comparison point. Canada offers multiple routes to permanent residence, including Canadian immigration pathways through federal programmes, regional pilots, and provincial streams. Some people may be stronger candidates under the Canadian Experience Class, while others may benefit from the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Atlantic region, or employer-supported options.
If you are unsure where you stand, it can help to review your score under the Comprehensive Ranking System and compare that with province-based opportunities. You may also want to improve your CRS score while exploring whether Québec or another province is the better destination for your background. Students and graduates should also look at study-to-permanent residence pathways in Canada, since education often creates a practical bridge to long-term status.
Whether you are interested in Québec selection or broader immigration to Canada process options, the key is to match your profile to the right programme instead of applying blindly. A careful strategy can save time, reduce mistakes, and help you focus on the strongest route for your family.
Immigration rules, score thresholds, and programme requirements can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current information with IRCC, Québec authorities, or a licensed immigration consultant before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, professional support at every stage of your journey toward a new life in Canada, and you can book your free immigration assessment to get a clear review of your options.
