Québec has held another round of invitations under its Skilled Worker Selection Program, inviting 519 candidates to seek permanent selection through the PSTQ. The draw covered all four streams, with most invitations going to workers in intermediate and manual occupations. The latest round also shows how Québec is balancing labour shortages, regulated professions, and its broader immigration planning through 2029.
Québec invites 519 candidates through the PSTQ
Québec has invited 519 workers to apply for permanent selection through the Skilled Worker Selection Program, known by its French acronym PSTQ. The invitations were issued on September 24 and covered all four PSTQ streams, showing that the province is continuing to use targeted selection to meet specific labour market needs.
For many people exploring Canadian immigration pathways, Québec remains a distinct option. Unlike most provinces, it runs its own economic selection system. Candidates who are chosen by Québec may receive a Québec Selection Certificate, or CSQ. After that, they can move to the federal stage and apply to IRCC for permanent residence in Canada.
This latest draw is especially notable because it included all four PSTQ streams: highly qualified and specialized skills, intermediate and manual skills, regulated professions, and exceptional talent. The largest share of invitations went to stream 2, which focuses on workers in TEER 3 to 5 occupations. That is an important signal for candidates in hands-on and essential jobs who may not always fit neatly into federal systems such as Express Entry.
People already living and working in Québec may see this as a practical route to stay permanently, especially if they have recent local work experience and can meet programme conditions. In many cases, those who later submit a federal permanent residence application may also look into a work permit strategy while they wait, depending on their status and eligibility.
How the invitations were divided across the four streams
The September 24 round was the ninth PSTQ selection exercise of the year. Québec used several separate invitation exercises inside each stream, each with its own occupational focus and cutoff score.
Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
Québec issued 86 invitations under stream 1. This stream is aimed at workers in TEER 0 to 2 occupations who are already living in Québec and who have at least 12 months of recent experience in their main occupation.
| Exercise | Invitations | Cutoff score |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 37 | 634 |
| Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 2) | 8 | 706 |
| Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 0–2) | 41 | 696 |
The targeted occupations included healthcare, education, science, engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, and tech. Some examples were early childhood educators, social and community service workers, pharmacy technicians, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, carpenters, welders, and aircraft mechanics.
Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
Stream 2 received the most attention, with 316 invitations. This category is for workers in TEER 3 to 5 occupations who live in Québec and have at least 24 months of recent work experience in their main occupation, including at least 12 months in Québec.
| Exercise | Invitations | Cutoff score |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3, 4) | 48 | 631 |
| Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3, 5) | 10–15 | 706 |
| Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3–5) | Fewer than 5 | 698 |
| Qualifying diploma + TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 254 | 611 |
The occupations selected here included teacher assistants, home support workers, medical administrative assistants, nurse aides, cooks, cleaners, truck drivers, concrete finishers, glaziers, and construction labourers. This is encouraging for applicants in practical occupations that are in demand but may not always receive strong attention under the federal CRS system.
Streams 3 and 4: Regulated professions and exceptional talent
Québec also issued 110 invitations under stream 3 for regulated professions. These draws covered people intending to work in regulated occupations in healthcare, education, engineering, trades, transportation, and certain TEER 4 or 5 regulated roles. A small number of invitations, seven in total, were also sent under stream 4 for exceptional talent.
For stream 4, candidates needed either a positive opinion letter from a MIFI partner or an exceptional achievement combined with doctoral-level education. Québec also required these applicants to meet the general eligibility conditions of at least one PSTQ stream.
What this means for workers planning immigration to Québec
This draw shows that Québec is not selecting candidates only from high-skilled office jobs. It is actively inviting people across a wider range of occupations, including caregiving, food services, health support, construction, transportation, and technical trades. That matters for foreign nationals who may have solid work experience but fewer points in federal systems.
Still, Québec selection is not the same as federal approval. A CSQ is a major step, but applicants must still complete the permanent residence process with IRCC. They should also be ready to document work history, education, identity, and admissibility. Depending on the occupation and stream, some candidates may also need proof connected to licensing or professional regulation.
Language can also play a major role. Québec immigration programmes often place strong value on French ability. Applicants may need to prove language skills through accepted tests such as TEF or TCF for French, while some broader Canadian pathways may use IELTS or CELPIP for English. Education may also need assessment, especially when a foreign credential must be compared to Canadian standards through an ECA in other immigration streams.
For workers comparing options, Québec is only one part of the bigger picture. Some candidates may also qualify under Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada, while others may be stronger candidates for federal routes like the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class. Those already in Canada on temporary status may also want to review their work permit options in Canada while planning next steps.
Why Québec is adjusting its invitation strategy
The latest PSTQ round also needs to be understood in the context of Québec’s broader immigration planning. The province has recently adjusted its selection approach after reopening the Québec Experience Program, or PEQ. Until the first PEQ intake period closes on October 31, Québec is reducing PSTQ invitation volumes and focusing more heavily on certain workers, especially those in TEER 4 and 5 occupations and those with shorter work experience profiles.
From November onward, Québec says it plans to adjust PSTQ invitation numbers based on how many PEQ applications it receives. The goal is to align admissions with the province’s 2026 to 2029 planning targets. Québec has also indicated that it wants to issue an equal number of CSQs through the PSTQ and PEQ over this planning period.
That means future candidates should not assume invitation patterns will stay the same. Occupational priorities, score thresholds, and intake volumes can all change. Anyone interested in Québec should monitor official updates closely and compare them with other routes, including recent Express Entry draws and regional programmes across Canada.
If you are not sure whether Québec, Express Entry, or another provincial stream is the better fit, it can help to assess your immigration options before investing time and money into an application strategy. The right pathway often depends on your job, language profile, education, family situation, and where you want to settle in Canada.
Immigration rules and eligibility requirements can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current details with IRCC, Québec’s immigration authorities, or a licensed immigration professional before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, compassionate support at every stage of your journey toward a new life in Canada, and you are welcome to book your free immigration assessment for a professional review of your options.
