Québec has opened another pathway for skilled workers seeking to establish themselves permanently in the province after selecting 790 candidates through its latest Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) exercise.
The selection was conducted on August 27, 2026, by Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). Unlike a selection focused on a single occupational group, this round covered all four PSTQ streams, allowing Québec to choose candidates with a wide range of professional backgrounds.
Workers in intermediate and manual occupations represented the largest group selected during the round.
Candidates who receive an invitation can now submit the required documentation for permanent selection. Successful applicants may receive a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which enables them to continue with the federal permanent residence process for Québec.
Also Read Quebec Issues 790 Invitations Through Latest PSTQ Selection Round
Selection Breakdown Across Four PSTQ Streams
The latest exercise considered profiles that had been extracted from Québec’s candidate pool on August 24, 2026, at 11:48 a.m.
The four streams were used to identify candidates according to their occupational category, professional background, experience and other selection requirements.
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Workers
A total of 87 candidates were selected through Stream 1.
This category covers highly qualified professionals working in TEER 0, 1 and 2 occupations. For this selection, candidates had to be living in Québec and demonstrate at least 12 months of work experience within the previous five years.
The stream used three separate exercises, each carrying its own invitation volume and score threshold.
| ExerciseInvitations issuedCutoff score | ||
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 26 | 639 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 2) | 11 | 710 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 0–2) | 50 | 694 |
The first exercise placed emphasis on occupations associated with healthcare, education, social services and natural sciences.
The eligible occupations included:
- Biologists and related scientists (21110)
- Early childhood educators and assistants (42202)
- Instructors for persons with disabilities (42203)
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (31209)
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
- Pharmacy technicians (32124)
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (31303)
- Physicists and astronomers (21100)
- Social and community service workers (42201)
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301)
The second exercise was aimed specifically at chefs (62200) and food service supervisors (62020).
The third exercise covered selected occupations connected with priority areas including engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades and technology.
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Stream 2 Leads the Latest Selection
The largest individual stream in this selection was Stream 2, which accounted for 324 invitations.
This stream is intended for workers in TEER 3, 4 and 5 occupations. Candidates considered in this category were required to live in Québec and have accumulated 24 months of employment experience during the past five years, including at least 12 months inside Québec.
The results were divided among four exercises:
| ExerciseInvitations issuedCutoff score | ||
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3, 4) | 314 | 638 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3, 5) | 10–15 | 706 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3–5) | <5 | 695 |
| Exercise 4 – Qualifying diploma + TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 249 | 616 |
The first exercise concentrated on six occupations from healthcare, education and home-care fields:
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (43100)
- Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (44101)
- Medical administrative assistants (13112)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical workers (33101)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
The second exercise selected candidates working as cooks (63200) or light duty cleaners (65310).
The third exercise was designed around selected occupations in sectors including construction, manufacturing and transportation.
For the fourth exercise, candidates needed a primary occupation classified at TEER 4 or TEER 5. Québec did not identify a specific list of occupations for this exercise.
109 Invitations Go to Regulated Occupations
Québec also selected 109 candidates through Stream 3.
This stream applies to candidates intending to work in professions that are subject to regulatory requirements in Québec. The selected candidates were residing in the province.
The three exercises produced the following results:
| ExerciseInvitations issuedCutoff score | ||
| Exercise 1 – Priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 77 | 639 |
| Exercise 2 – Priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 25–30 | 694 |
| Exercise 3 – TEER 4 or 5 occupation | <5 | 393 |
For Exercise 1, Québec targeted 32 occupations associated with healthcare, education and social and community services.
Exercise 2 covered 30 occupations, with the focus shifting toward engineering, skilled trades and transportation.
Exercise 3 did not identify individual occupations. Instead, candidates had to demonstrate their intention to practise a regulated occupation classified within TEER 4 or 5.
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Stream 4 Recognizes Exceptional Profiles
A smaller group of candidates was selected through the PSTQ’s exceptional talent stream.
Stream 4 issued 21 invitations to individuals with at least 36 months of work experience over the previous five years.
| ExerciseInvitations issuedCutoff score | ||
| Exercise 1 – Positive opinion letter | 15 | N/A |
| Exercise 2 – Exceptional achievement + doctorate | 6 | N/A |
The first exercise required candidates to obtain a favourable opinion letter from a MIFI partner in one of the fields identified by Québec.
The second exercise applied to candidates who could demonstrate an exceptional achievement included on MIFI’s designated list and possessed an education credential equivalent to a Québec doctorate. Undergraduate doctorates were also accepted for this requirement.
What Could Change After October 2026?
The next phase of Québec’s PSTQ selection strategy is expected to depend partly on the number of applications received through the PEQ during its first intake period.
Beginning in November 2026, Québec plans to adjust PSTQ invitation volumes based on those PEQ application numbers.
The province has stated that it intends to maintain an equivalent number of CSQs between the two programs for the remaining period covered by its 2026–2029 immigration plan.
What This Selection Means for Prospective Immigrants
The latest round shows that Québec is continuing to use the PSTQ to select candidates according to specific labour-market needs rather than applying one uniform criterion to every applicant.
The 790 invitations were spread across four distinct streams, covering highly qualified professionals, intermediate and manual workers, regulated occupations and exceptional talent.
For people considering Québec as an immigration destination, understanding the relevant PSTQ stream, occupational classification, work history and selection requirements remains essential before submitting a declaration of interest through Arrima.
