Québec has issued 790 invitations under its Skilled Worker Selection Program, known as the PSTQ, in a new draw covering all four streams. The round focused heavily on candidates already living in Québec, especially those in manual, intermediate, regulated, and priority occupations. For many workers, this is an important step toward a Québec Selection Certificate and, later, Canadian permanent residence.
Québec holds a new PSTQ draw across all four streams
Québec’s immigration ministry, MIFI, held a new invitation round on August 27 and invited 790 candidates through the Skilled Worker Selection Program, or PSTQ. The draw included all four PSTQ streams and gives selected candidates a chance to apply for permanent selection by Québec.
For many people planning their immigration to Canada process, Québec follows a different path from the rest of the country. Instead of applying directly through a federal economic stream alone, eligible candidates who want to settle in Québec usually first need a Québec Selection Certificate, often called a CSQ. After that, they may apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.
This latest round is also notable because it was the eighth PSTQ draw of 2026. Candidate profiles were taken from the Arrima pool on August 24, 2026, shortly before the invitations were issued. Arrima is Québec’s expression of interest platform, similar in concept to how the federal government manages candidates under Express Entry, although the rules and selection factors are different.
If you are comparing Québec with other Canadian immigration pathways, it is important to remember that Québec controls much of its own skilled worker selection system. That makes PSTQ draws especially important for foreign nationals and temporary residents already working in the province.
Where the invitations went
The biggest share of invitations went to Stream 2, which targets workers in intermediate and manual occupations. This stream alone accounted for 324 invitations. Stream 3, for regulated professions, received 109 invitations. Stream 1, for highly qualified and specialized workers, received 87 invitations. Stream 4, for exceptional talent, received 21 invitations.
Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
Under Stream 1, Québec invited workers in TEER 0 to 2 occupations who were already living in the province and had at least 12 months of work experience in the previous five years. The invitations were divided into three separate exercises, each with its own cut-off score and targeted occupations.
The occupations selected under this stream included roles in health care, education, science, food services, engineering, technology, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Some examples were biologists, early childhood educators, pharmacy technicians, social and community service workers, chefs, cybersecurity specialists, data scientists, civil engineering technicians, machinists, welders, and heavy-duty equipment mechanics.
This tells us that Québec is still using occupation-based selection in a very focused way. Rather than inviting broadly, the province is choosing workers whose backgrounds match immediate labour shortages and priority sectors.
Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
Stream 2 was the largest part of the draw. It is designed for workers in TEER 3 to 5 occupations who live in Québec and have 24 months of work experience in the last five years, including at least 12 months in the province.
Québec used four exercises under this stream. The first targeted support roles in health care, education, and home care, such as teacher assistants, home support workers, medical administrative assistants, medical laboratory assistants, nurse aides, and pharmacy assistants. Another exercise focused on cooks and light-duty cleaners. A further exercise targeted construction, manufacturing, and transportation jobs, including aircraft assemblers, concrete finishers, construction labourers, painters, roofers, tilesetters, and transport truck drivers.
The final Stream 2 exercise was broader. It required a primary occupation at TEER 4 or 5, but Québec did not publish a fixed list of occupations for that part of the draw.
Stream 3 and Stream 4
Stream 3 covered regulated professions. These are occupations where legal or professional licensing rules apply in Québec. The draw included candidates planning to work in professions tied to health care, education, social work, engineering, trades, and transportation. Examples included dentists, nurses, psychologists, teachers, social workers, electricians, plumbers, civil engineers, and aerospace engineers.
Stream 4 was much smaller and aimed at exceptional talent. Some candidates qualified through a positive opinion letter from a MIFI partner, while others needed both a listed exceptional achievement and education equivalent to a Québec doctorate.
What this means for candidates in Québec and abroad
This draw shows that Québec is still prioritizing people with recent local work experience and those already established in the province. In practical terms, temporary foreign workers, graduates, and other residents of Québec may have a stronger position than applicants outside Canada, especially if they work in an occupation that matches a priority need.
It also shows how important occupation classification has become. Québec relies heavily on the NOC 2021 system and TEER levels to decide who may qualify under each PSTQ stream. If your job title, duties, or work history are not classified correctly, your profile may not be competitive even if you have strong experience. This is one reason many applicants seek a professional immigration evaluation before entering a pool.
Language ability can also play a major role in Québec immigration, even when a draw notice focuses mainly on occupation and work experience. Applicants should be prepared to document French and, where relevant, English through accepted tests such as TEF, TCF, IELTS, or CELPIP. Education records may also need assessment or recognition depending on the pathway and occupation. Outside Québec, many federal programmes require an ECA, while regulated professions may also need licensing review.
Anyone looking at Québec should compare it with other options as well. Depending on your background, you may also fit federal or regional routes such as the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, the Atlantic Immigration Program, or a provincial stream outside Québec. If you are not sure where you stand, you can explore your Canadian immigration options before deciding which route best matches your goals.
Why Québec’s invitation strategy is changing in 2026
Québec’s recent PSTQ approach cannot be understood without looking at the province’s broader immigration planning. The province has said its strategy changed after the reopening of the Québec Experience Program, or PEQ, on July 2, 2026.
Until October 31, 2026, when the first PEQ intake period closes, Québec is reducing PSTQ invitation volumes so it can stay within the admission targets set in its 2026 to 2029 immigration plan. In other words, the province is balancing two major economic immigration programmes at the same time.
For that reason, PSTQ invitations are currently being directed more carefully, especially toward people in TEER 4 and 5 occupations and candidates who have not yet built up two full years of work experience. This is a strategic shift, not a random one. It suggests Québec is trying to preserve room in its annual targets while still bringing in workers needed by employers and public services.
Later in 2026, the number of PSTQ invitations may change again depending on how many applications arrive through PEQ. That means candidates should not assume future rounds will look the same as this one. Selection volumes, target occupations, and minimum scores can move quickly.
For applicants who are also considering federal systems, this is a good reminder that no single route works for everyone. Some people may benefit from tracking recent Express Entry draws and learning how the Comprehensive Ranking System works, while others may be better suited to Québec or another regional programme. If you want help comparing routes, you can determine your eligibility through a guided review of your profile.
Immigration rules, occupation lists, and programme requirements can change often, so readers should always verify current information with IRCC, Québec immigration 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 are welcome to book your free immigration assessment for a clear review of your options.
