Quick Overview

The Programme de selection des travailleurs qualifies – PSTQ, often called the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program, is Quebec’s main skilled-worker pathway for people who want to settle in Quebec permanently and work. Quebec describes the PSTQ as a program for people who wish to immigrate to Quebec as skilled workers, whether they are already in Quebec or abroad. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ overview

The PSTQ is not a simple first-come, first-served application. In most cases, a person begins by submitting an expression of interest in Arrima. Quebec states that a PSTQ expression of interest is filed online for free in Arrima, can be submitted at any time, and remains valid for 12 months after filing. Official source: Quebec.ca – expression of interest

The process usually has several stages:

1. confirm the main occupation and NOC code;
2. identify which PSTQ stream may apply;
3. prepare French, education, work experience, status and family information;
4. submit an expression of interest in Arrima;
5. wait for a possible invitation from MIFI;
6. accept the invitation within the required deadline;
7. submit the full permanent selection application with documents and fees;
8. if selected, receive the Certificat de selection du Quebec (CSQ);
9. then apply federally to IRCC for permanent residence.

Quebec’s official PSTQ requirements page says the program has four streams covering occupations on the Quebec labour market. General requirements apply to all streams, and each stream has its own criteria based on the occupations it targets. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

The four streams are:

1. Highly qualified and specialized skills;
2. Intermediate and manual skills;
3. Regulated professions;
4. Exceptional talent.

French is central to PSTQ planning. For example, Quebec states that Stream 1 generally requires oral French at level 7 or higher and written French at level 5 or higher on the Quebec scale, while Stream 2 generally requires spoken French at level 5 or higher. Quebec also states that an accompanying spouse must generally have spoken French at level 4 or higher. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

The PSTQ is separate from the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). PEQ is a temporary reopening pathway with specific transition rules. PSTQ is the broader skilled-worker selection system based on expression of interest, stream criteria, invitation criteria and Quebec’s labour-market priorities. A person should not assume that being qualified, employed, educated, or already in Quebec automatically means they will receive an invitation.

LMRT Immigration can review your occupation, NOC code, French evidence, education, Quebec work history, regulated-profession issues, family factors and timing to determine whether PSTQ is realistic and whether another Quebec or federal pathway should be considered.

Full Guide

What the PSTQ is

The PSTQ is Quebec’s skilled-worker selection program for people who want to immigrate permanently to Quebec to work. It replaced the older Regular Skilled Worker Program, or PRTQ. Quebec’s official PRTQ page states clearly that the PRTQ has been replaced by the Programme de selection des travailleurs qualifies (PSTQ). Official source: Quebec.ca – PRTQ replacement

This matters because many people still search online for the old Quebec Skilled Worker Program, the Regular Skilled Worker Program, or PRTQ points. Older articles may describe a process that no longer reflects the current selection structure. The current planning question is usually not “Do I qualify for the old PRTQ?” It is: Does my profile fit one of the PSTQ streams, and is it likely to match invitation criteria used by Quebec?

A practical way to understand the PSTQ is to separate three stages:

1. Eligibility and stream fit: Does your occupation, French level, education, work experience and situation fit a PSTQ stream?
2. Invitation potential: Does your expression of interest match criteria and scoring used by Quebec in an invitation exercise?
3. Permanent selection and federal processing: If invited, can you prove the claims in your application and then complete the federal permanent residence stage?

A person can be strong in one stage but weak in another. For example, someone may have a high-demand occupation but weak French evidence. Another person may speak French well but have a regulated profession that requires careful documentation. A third person may receive an invitation but then struggle to prove work history, family information, education, or the facts entered in Arrima.

Quebec selection is not the same as federal permanent residence

Quebec and Canada share responsibilities in this process. Quebec selects many economic immigrants who intend to settle in Quebec, while the federal government makes the permanent residence decision after Quebec selection. IRCC explains that Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with Canada and that a Quebec-selected skilled worker must apply to Quebec before applying federally for permanent residence. Official source: IRCC – Quebec-selected skilled workers

This two-step structure is important:

1. Quebec stage: MIFI reviews whether the person can be selected for Quebec, often resulting in a CSQ.
2. Federal stage: IRCC reviews the permanent residence application, including federal forms, family information, admissibility, medical, security and background issues.

Quebec’s PSTQ page also explains that after receiving a CSQ, the applicant must continue the immigration process with the Canadian government. Official source: Quebec.ca – after receiving the CSQ

This means a CSQ is a major step, but it is not the same as becoming a permanent resident. The applicant must still submit the federal permanent residence application and meet federal requirements.

Who may consider the PSTQ

The PSTQ may be relevant to people such as:

1. temporary foreign workers already living in Quebec;
2. international graduates whose facts do not fit PEQ or who want to compare PEQ with PSTQ;
3. workers abroad who want to settle in Quebec permanently;
4. people with a validated job offer or Quebec work history;
5. candidates in regulated professions who need to understand Stream 3;
6. people in manual, intermediate, technical, professional, or highly specialized occupations;
7. applicants with strong French and a profile that may respond to Quebec labour-market priorities.

However, PSTQ planning should start with the facts, not with the label. The key questions are:

1. What is the main occupation you intend to practise in Quebec?
2. What is the correct five-digit NOC code?
3. Is the occupation regulated in Quebec?
4. Which FEER category applies?
5. What French level can you prove with accepted evidence?
6. Do you have the required work experience and education?
7. Are you in Quebec, outside Quebec, or outside the Montreal metropolitan area?
8. Do you have Quebec education, Quebec work experience, or a validated job offer?
9. Does your spouse or common-law partner add or weaken the profile?

The answer may change the stream, the evidence strategy, and the practical chance of receiving an invitation.

The role of Arrima and the expression of interest

Arrima is central to the PSTQ. Quebec states that a person interested in the PSTQ must first declare interest in immigrating to Quebec as a skilled worker by completing a declaration of interest in Arrima. The profile is then entered into the bank of declarations of interest and scored according to various criteria. Official source: Quebec.ca – about the PSTQ

A PSTQ expression of interest is not the same as a full permanent selection application. It is a profile that may lead to an invitation. Quebec says the expression of interest is filed online for free in Arrima. It also states that the expression of interest is valid for one full year from the time it is filed, and that updating it does not extend the original 12-month validity period. Official source: Quebec.ca – expression of interest

For LMRT clients, the expression of interest stage should be treated carefully because the information entered can shape the future invitation and application. Quebec says applicants must provide information about their status, education, work experience, intentions, spouse and children, and that they can update the expression of interest if their situation changes. Official source: Quebec.ca – expression of interest

A careless Arrima profile can create later risk. Problems may arise when:

1. the NOC code does not match the real job duties;
2. the applicant chooses an occupation they no longer intend to practise;
3. language results are missing, expired, or misunderstood;
4. Quebec work history is entered inconsistently;
5. spouse or child information is incomplete;
6. a regulated profession issue is ignored;
7. the applicant receives an invitation based on facts they cannot prove later.

Quebec also warns that if a person wishes to practise a profession other than the one stated in the declaration of interest, the person must decline the invitation, update the new main occupation and wait for a new invitation, with no guarantee another invitation will be received. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

The four PSTQ streams

Quebec states that the PSTQ has four streams covering occupations on the Quebec job market. The stream is determined mainly by the primary occupation and related information in the declaration of interest. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills

Stream 1 generally concerns occupations in FEER 0, 1 or 2. Quebec states that Stream 1 requires the main occupation to be in FEER 0, 1 or 2, and that the applicant must have at least one year of full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the main occupation during the five years before the application. Quebec also lists education and French requirements for this stream. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

In practice, Stream 1 may be relevant to managers, professionals, technical occupations and specialized workers, depending on the NOC code and the person’s evidence. The risk is assuming that a job title is enough. Quebec and IRCC-style assessments usually depend on the actual occupation, duties, evidence, and classification logic.

Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills

Stream 2 generally concerns FEER 3, 4 or 5 occupations. Quebec states that Stream 2 requires the main occupation to be in FEER 3, 4 or 5 and requires at least two years of paid work experience in the main occupation, including at least one year in Quebec, during the five years before the application. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

This stream is important because it may be relevant to workers whose occupations are not in the higher FEER categories. It also creates a key distinction from PEQ: some lower-FEER work may matter in PSTQ even when it does not fit PEQ’s temporary reopening criteria.

Stream 3: Regulated professions

Stream 3 is for regulated professions. Quebec states that the main profession must be included in the Ministry’s list of regulated professions and that applicants may need an authorization to practise, or proof of partial or full recognition of equivalence of training or diploma from the regulatory authority. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

This stream can be complex. A person may be highly qualified in their country of origin but still need a Quebec professional order, regulatory body, licence, authorization, or recognition process. The immigration strategy and the professional licensing strategy may need to be planned together.

Stream 4: Exceptional talent

Stream 4 is designed for exceptional talent. Quebec states that the applicant must clearly distinguish themselves in the main occupation through exceptional expertise likely to contribute to Quebec’s prosperity, must have a proven record of achievements related to that expertise, and must have practised the main occupation for at least three years during the five years before the application. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

This is not a general skilled-worker stream for anyone with good experience. It is better understood as a narrow route for exceptional profiles, such as people whose achievements or recognized expertise can be documented at a high level.

NOC, FEER and the main occupation

A PSTQ file often succeeds or fails around the main occupation. Quebec says the main occupation is the one the person wishes to practise in Quebec and in which they are likely to be able to hold a job. The NOC code and corresponding stream must be identified, and the occupation can affect the invitation and selection analysis. Official source: Quebec.ca – find NOC and stream

Quebec also explains that some selection conditions depend on the FEER category of the main occupation. The FEER category corresponds to the second digit of the five-digit NOC code and identifies the usual job requirements of occupations. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

This is why LMRT normally reviews more than a job title. A proper review should look at:

1. the five-digit NOC code;
2. the lead statement and main duties;
3. whether the occupation is regulated in Quebec;
4. FEER category;
5. actual work performed;
6. employer letters and supporting records;
7. whether the occupation chosen in Arrima remains the occupation the applicant intends to practise.

French language evidence

French is one of the most important PSTQ factors. Quebec’s PSTQ requirements page sets different French thresholds depending on the stream and FEER category. For Stream 1, Quebec states that the applicant must generally have oral French at level 7 or higher and written French at level 5 or higher. For Stream 2, Quebec states that the applicant must generally have spoken French at level 5 or higher. For Stream 3, the French requirement depends on the FEER category of the occupation. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements

Quebec’s French proof page states that to demonstrate French knowledge, even if French is the person’s mother tongue, the person must submit one of the accepted documents. It lists accepted French language tests and diplomas and states that results must be two years or less from the date of the permanent selection application. Official source: Quebec.ca – demonstrate French

This creates two practical risks:

1. A person may speak French well but lack the accepted evidence required by MIFI.
2. A person may submit a profile too early or too late, causing test results to become old before the full application is filed.

Quebec also states that there is no English language requirement in the PSTQ, but English knowledge can be included in the declaration of interest if the person wishes, with an accepted IELTS result. Official source: Quebec.ca – demonstrate French

Invitation criteria and scoring

Receiving an invitation is not automatic. Quebec explains that people whose profiles match Quebec’s needs and who meet the required level of French for their profession may receive an invitation to apply under one of the four streams. Quebec also states that profiles are evaluated using a scoring system that considers characteristics promoting socio-professional integration, and that a minimum score may be required. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ invitation

Quebec describes a three-step invitation process:

1. stream-based invitation criteria;
2. additional criteria targeting a specific profile;
3. invitation of the highest-scoring individuals among those targeted.

Quebec also states that no randomly selected individuals are invited during the invitation process. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ invitation

The criteria may include French, age, work experience, education, Quebec labour-market needs, Quebec diploma, Quebec work experience, validated job offer, regulated-profession authorization or recognition, family in Quebec, and spouse factors. Some criteria have points; others may be invitation criteria without adding to the score. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ invitation

The practical lesson is that a PSTQ profile should not be judged only by one factor. It should be assessed as a full Quebec selection profile.

What happens after an invitation

If the applicant receives an invitation, timing becomes important. Quebec states that a person has 30 days from the date of the invitation to accept it through the Arrima account. Quebec also states that a person may submit a permanent selection application under the PSTQ only if they receive an invitation and accept it within 30 days. Official source: Quebec.ca – receiving an invitation

After acceptance, Quebec’s application page describes two main situations. For Stream 1, 2 or 4, and some Stream 3 cases where proof from the regulatory authority is already available, the applicant generally has 60 days from acceptance to submit the application with required documents and fees. In certain Stream 3 cases where the person accepted an invitation without already having proof of recognition from the regulatory authority, Quebec states that the applicant has one year from acceptance to submit the application. Official source: Quebec.ca – applying after invitation

This is why document planning should begin before an invitation arrives. After invitation, the file may become time-sensitive very quickly.

Documents, fees and accuracy

Quebec states that when applying for permanent selection, required documents are indicated, must be scanned in colour, and must be legible, complete, accurate, in the required formats, and in French or English or accompanied by a translation into French or English by a recognized translator. Quebec also warns that incomplete documents or documents not in the required format can lead to a rejection process if they are not corrected within the required time. Official source: Quebec.ca – applying and documents

The official document list includes identity, marital status, dependent children, residence status, education, work experience and other categories depending on the situation. Quebec notes that some documents apply to all applicants, while others apply only in certain situations. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ supporting documents

As of January 1, 2026, Quebec lists the PSTQ permanent selection application examination fees as $940 for the main applicant, $201 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $201 for each dependent child. Quebec states that these fees are adjusted every January 1 and that the fee is non-refundable even if the application is refused or rejected. Official source: Quebec.ca – PSTQ application fees

Accuracy matters. Quebec states that applicants are responsible for all information provided in the permanent selection application and that false or misleading information can have serious consequences, including rejection and consequences for subsequent applications. Official source: Quebec.ca – applying after invitation

Examination, decision and CSQ

After submission, MIFI examines the permanent selection application. Quebec states that after submitting the application, the applicant and accompanying family members aged 18 or over may receive a communication inviting them to obtain the Attestation of learning of democratic values and Quebec values, with a 60-day period from the communication date. Official source: Quebec.ca – examination

Quebec may ask the applicant to attend an interview to verify the accuracy of information or conduct additional checks. The possible outcomes include selection, intent to refuse, or intent to reject. If selected, the applicant receives the CSQ and information about next steps. Official source: Quebec.ca – examination and decisions

Once the CSQ is issued, the applicant must continue with the federal permanent residence process. IRCC states that Quebec-selected skilled workers must now apply online and provides federal application instructions, forms, biometrics, fees, and completeness warnings. IRCC also states that an incomplete application will be rejected and must be fixed and resubmitted. Official source: IRCC – Quebec-selected skilled workers application

PSTQ vs PEQ

The PSTQ and PEQ should not be confused. PEQ is a temporary reopening pathway for certain people who meet specific transition rules. PSTQ is the broader skilled-worker selection program, built around Arrima, occupation, streams, French requirements, invitation criteria and proof at the permanent selection stage.

A person may need to compare PEQ and PSTQ if they are a Quebec graduate, a temporary foreign worker, or someone who may fit both programs. The correct route may depend on facts such as:

1. the date and type of Quebec diploma;
2. the date and type of work experience;
3. FEER category;
4. current status;
5. French evidence;
6. whether a PSTQ invitation is possible or already received;
7. whether filing under both routes makes sense despite duplicate fees.

This page is focused on PSTQ. For PEQ, LMRT should use the dedicated PEQ temporary reopening page rather than repeating all PEQ rules here.

Common PSTQ mistakes

Choosing the wrong NOC code

The NOC code affects the stream, FEER category, invitation criteria and required evidence. A job title alone is not enough. The duties and documentary proof must support the occupation selected.

Treating Arrima as informal

An expression of interest can feel like a profile, but it can become the foundation for a later application. If the details are inaccurate, outdated, or inconsistent, the applicant may face problems after invitation.

Ignoring regulated profession issues

A regulated profession can change the stream and evidence strategy. People in medicine, nursing, engineering, education, trades or other regulated fields should not assume that foreign qualification equals Quebec authorization.

Waiting for an invitation before preparing documents

After invitation, deadlines may be short. Quebec’s standard post-acceptance filing period can be 60 days in many cases. Waiting until invitation to start collecting work, education, identity, family and translation documents can create unnecessary risk.

Assuming a high score guarantees selection

Quebec states that invitation scoring is only one part of the process and that criteria can vary by invitation exercise. A score, occupation, or French level should not be treated as a guarantee.

Confusing CSQ with permanent residence

A CSQ is not permanent residence. After Quebec selection, the applicant still needs to complete the federal process with IRCC.

How LMRT Immigration can help

PSTQ files are often document-heavy and strategy-sensitive. LMRT Immigration can help by reviewing:

1. whether PSTQ is the right route compared with PEQ or another Quebec pathway;
2. the main occupation and NOC classification;
3. the likely PSTQ stream;
4. French evidence and timing;
5. education, diploma and work-history documents;
6. regulated-profession issues;
7. spouse and child information;
8. Arrima consistency;
9. invitation and application deadlines;
10. CSQ and federal permanent residence next steps.

Loujin Khalil is an immigration consultant RCIC-IRB and founder of LMRT Immigration in Montreal. LMRT can help applicants understand Quebec selection rules, avoid inconsistent filings, and prepare a file that is coherent from Arrima through CSQ and federal permanent residence.

FAQs

Related LMRT Articles

1. Quebec Immigration Programs
2. PEQ Temporary Reopening 2026-2028
3. Express Entry vs Quebec Immigration

Official sources used

1. Quebec.ca – Programme de selection des travailleurs qualifies (PSTQ)
2. Quebec.ca – About the PSTQ
3. Quebec.ca – PSTQ requirements
4. Quebec.ca – PSTQ expression of interest
5. Quebec.ca – PSTQ invitation
6. Quebec.ca – PSTQ application
7. Quebec.ca – PSTQ examination
8. Quebec.ca – After receiving the CSQ
9. Quebec.ca – Demonstrate French knowledge
10. IRCC – Quebec-selected skilled workers
11. IRCC – Quebec-selected skilled workers: how to apply