Québec has invited 519 skilled workers to apply for permanent selection through the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), the province’s main skilled-worker immigration pathway.
The invitations were issued on September 24, 2026, marking the ninth PSTQ selection round of the year. For the first time in this selection round, candidates were invited through all four PSTQ streams, with the largest number of invitations going to workers with intermediate and manual skills under Stream 2.
Successful candidates can obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) and then proceed with an application for Canadian permanent residence through the federal government.
Québec PSTQ Draw: September 24, 2026
| Stream | Invitations | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 – Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills | 86 | TEER 0–2 occupations |
| Stream 2 – Intermediate and Manual Skills | 316 | TEER 3–5 occupations |
| Stream 3 – Regulated Professions | 110 | Regulated occupations |
| Stream 4 – Exceptional Talent | 7 | Exceptional achievements/talent |
| Total | 519 | All four PSTQ streams |
The candidate profiles considered in Streams 1–3 were generally extracted from Québec’s Arrima pool on September 21, 2026, at 1:10 p.m.
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
Québec issued 86 invitations under Stream 1 through three separate exercises.
Candidates generally needed to:
- Work in a TEER 0, 1 or 2 occupation;
- Be currently residing in Québec;
- Have at least 12 months of experience in their primary occupation during the previous five years;
- Meet the education and occupation requirements associated with the particular exercise.
Stream 1 Results
| Exercise | Invitations | Minimum 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 areas such as healthcare, social services, education, engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades and technology.
Some examples included:
- Early childhood educators and assistants;
- Pharmacy technicians;
- Social and community service workers;
- Therapists;
- Cybersecurity specialists;
- Data scientists;
- Carpenters;
- Electricians and electrical technicians;
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics;
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers;
- Welders;
- Powerline technicians.
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
Stream 2 received the largest share of invitations, with 316 candidates selected.
This stream focuses on workers in TEER 3, 4 and 5 occupations.
Candidates considered under Stream 2 generally needed:
- To be residing in Québec;
- At least 24 months of work experience in their primary occupation during the previous five years;
- At least 12 months of that experience in Québec;
- To satisfy the specific education, occupation and selection requirements of their exercise.
Stream 2 Results
| Exercise | Invitations | Minimum 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 | <5 | 698 |
| TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 254 | 611 |
The fourth exercise was particularly significant because it alone accounted for 254 invitations and targeted candidates whose primary occupation was classified as TEER 4 or 5.
Targeted occupations in other Stream 2 exercises included:
- Teacher assistants;
- Home support workers and caregivers;
- Medical administrative assistants;
- Medical laboratory assistants;
- Nurse aides and patient service associates;
- Pharmacy assistants;
- Cooks;
- Light-duty cleaners;
- Construction trades helpers;
- Roofers;
- Painters and decorators;
- Transport truck drivers.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
Québec issued 110 invitations under Stream 3 to candidates who intended to work in regulated professions.
All four exercises were aimed at candidates currently residing in Québec.
Stream 3 Results
| Exercise | Invitations | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Priority occupation, TEER 1–2 | 69 | 631 |
| Priority occupation, TEER 1–2 | 37 | 697 |
| Priority occupation, TEER 3–5 | <5 | 696 |
| TEER 4–5 regulated occupation | <5 | 380 |
The occupations targeted included professionals in healthcare, education, engineering, skilled trades and transportation.
Examples included:
- Dentists;
- Doctors and family physicians;
- Registered nurses;
- Pharmacists;
- Physiotherapists;
- Psychologists;
- Occupational therapists;
- Teachers;
- Social workers;
- Veterinarians;
- Engineers;
- Electricians;
- Plumbers;
- Carpenters;
- Welders;
- Industrial electricians.
Candidates in regulated occupations must also consider the requirements of the relevant Québec regulatory authority.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
The fourth PSTQ stream is designed for candidates with exceptional talent or achievements.
Québec issued 7 invitations through Stream 4.
Candidates needed at least 36 months of work experience in their primary occupation during the previous five years.
Two exercises were used:
- Positive opinion letter: fewer than five invitations;
- Exceptional achievement + doctorate: fewer than five invitations.
Candidates in the second exercise needed an achievement recognized on Québec’s list of exceptional achievements and an education level corresponding to a Québec doctorate, including certain undergraduate doctorates.
How Does the Québec PSTQ Work?
The PSTQ is Québec’s primary economic immigration program for skilled foreign workers seeking to settle permanently in the province.
The process generally begins with an expression of interest through the Arrima platform.
Candidates provide information about their:
- Education;
- Work experience;
- French-language ability;
- Occupation;
- Family situation;
- Québec work experience;
- Job offer, if applicable;
- Other factors relevant to their profile.
Québec then evaluates profiles in its declaration-of-interest pool and may invite candidates who meet the criteria established for a particular selection round.
An expression of interest is free to submit and remains valid for 12 months. Candidates can update their profile when their circumstances change.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?
An invitation does not automatically grant permanent residence.
The immigration process generally follows these stages:
- Submit an expression of interest through Arrima.
- Receive an invitation from Québec.
- Submit an application for permanent selection.
- Québec assesses the application.
- If approved, the applicant receives a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
- The applicant then submits the federal permanent residence application to the Government of Canada.
- IRCC conducts the required federal admissibility assessments.
- If approved, the applicant can become a Canadian permanent resident and settle in Québec.
Québec confirms that candidates whose permanent selection applications are approved receive a CSQ, after which they continue the immigration process with the federal government.
Québec Has Reduced PSTQ Invitations in 2026
The latest draw comes during a period of significant adjustment to Québec’s immigration selection strategy.
Québec reopened the Québec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2, 2026. The first PEQ intake period is scheduled to remain open until October 31, 2026.
Until that first intake period closes, Québec has indicated that it is reducing PSTQ invitation volumes to remain within its immigration admission targets. Invitations have been concentrated particularly on candidates in TEER 4 and 5 occupations and candidates who have not yet accumulated two years of work experience.
From November 2026, Québec expects to adjust PSTQ invitation levels based on the number of applications received through the first PEQ intake.
This means prospective applicants should not assume that future PSTQ draws will have the same invitation numbers or occupation priorities as the September round.
Important for Candidates in Canada
Candidates already living and working in Québec may benefit from the province’s continued focus on workers with Québec-based experience.
The September 24 selection round included several requirements specifically favouring candidates already residing in Québec, including work-experience requirements under Streams 1, 2 and 3.
Some applicants residing in Canada may also be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after submitting their permanent residence application, depending on their individual circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Québec issued 519 PSTQ invitations on September 24, 2026.
- This was the province’s ninth PSTQ selection round of 2026.
- All four PSTQ streams issued invitations.
- Stream 2 received the largest share with 316 invitations.
- Stream 1 issued 86 invitations.
- Stream 3 issued 110 invitations.
- Stream 4 issued 7 invitations.
- Several exercises targeted workers in healthcare, education, construction, manufacturing, transportation, technology and skilled trades.
- Many of the selected candidates were required to be living in Québec.
- Québec is currently limiting PSTQ invitations while the first 2026 PEQ intake remains open.
- The PEQ intake period is scheduled to close on October 31, 2026.
- Starting in November, Québec expects to adjust PSTQ invitation levels based on PEQ application volumes.
Conclusion
Québec’s September 24, 2026 PSTQ selection round demonstrates the province’s continued focus on addressing labour-market needs while balancing its overall immigration targets.
With 519 invitations issued across all four streams, the draw provided opportunities for workers in healthcare, education, skilled trades, construction, technology, transportation and other priority sectors.
However, Québec’s immigration strategy is currently in transition because of the reopening of the PEQ. As a result, PSTQ invitation numbers and targeted occupations may change significantly in the coming months.
Candidates interested in QuĂ©bec immigration should maintain an up-to-date Arrima profile, ensure their work experience and education information is accurate, and monitor the official QuĂ©bec selection criteria before relying on a previous draw’s requirements.
