Quebec held its largest PSTQ draw of 2026
Quebec Holds Largest PSTQ Draw of 2026, Invites 2,549 Skilled Immigration Candidates
The latest invitation round, conducted on June 4, 2026, targeted applicants across all four PSTQ streams. Candidates were selected from the Arrima Expression of Interest system, with profiles assessed based on criteria established by Quebec’s immigration authorities.
This marks the fifth PSTQ invitation round of 2026 and highlights Quebec’s ongoing strategy of attracting workers, graduates, regulated professionals, and exceptional talent to support labour market demands across various sectors.
Most Invitations Went to Highly Skilled Workers
Among all streams, the largest share of invitations was directed toward candidates in occupations classified as highly qualified and specialized. This stream alone accounted for nearly 43% of all invitations issued.
Quebec continues to prioritize individuals already contributing to the province’s economy through employment, education, and French-language integration.
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
Invitations Issued
| Exercise | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying Québec diploma (at least 900h or 30 credits) | 459 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying Québec diploma + priority occupation (TEER 1–2) | 239 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying Québec diploma + priority occupation (TEER 0–2) | 165 |
| Exercise 4 – Qualifying Québec diploma | 231 |
Common Eligibility Requirements
Candidates generally needed to:
- Demonstrate advanced French proficiency in speaking and listening.
- Meet minimum written French requirements.
- Hold an eligible Quebec credential.
- Have completed at least one year of full-time studies in Quebec.
- Meet spouse language requirements where applicable.
Exercise 1 Requirements
Applicants needed:
- Minimum score of 677 points.
- Quebec diploma from a recognized institution.
- At least 30 university credits or 900 study hours.
Exercise 2 Priority Occupations
- 31303 - Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- 32124 - Pharmacy technicians
- 41301 - Counsellors and specialized therapists
- 42201 - Social and community service workers
- 42202 - Early childhood educators and assistants
- 42203 - Instructors for persons with disabilities
Exercise 3 Priority Occupations
Applicants required at least 666 points and employment in one of these occupations:
- 20010 - Engineering managers
- 21321 - Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- 22300 - Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- 22301 - Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 22302 - Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- 22310 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 22313 - Avionics technicians, aircraft instrument technicians and aircraft electrical equipment inspectors
- 62020 - Food service supervisors
- 62200 - Chefs
- 72100 - Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- 72102 - Sheet metal workers
- 72105 - Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- 72106 - Welders and related machine operators
- 72203 - Power system electricians and electrical lineworkers
- 72204 - Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
- 72301 - Pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler system installers and heating system installers
- 72310 - Carpenters
- 72320 - Bricklayers
- 72321 - Insulators
- 72400 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- 72401 - Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- 72404 - Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- 72422 - Electro-mechanical technicians
- 72500 - Crane operators
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
Quebec issued 756 invitations under Stream 2, which targets workers employed in occupations classified as TEER 3, 4, and 5. To qualify, applicants generally needed two years of work experience during the previous five years, including at least one year gained in Quebec.
Invitations Issued
| Exercise | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Exercise 1 - Qualifying Québec diploma | 229 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying Québec diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3) | 256 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying Québec diploma + priority occupation (TEER 3–5) | 90 |
| Exercise 4 – Qualifying Québec diploma | 181 |
Exercise 1 Requirements
- Minimum score: 624 points.
- Eligible Quebec diploma with required study duration.
Exercise 2 Priority Occupations
Minimum score required: 330 points. Eligible occupations:
- 33101 - Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- 33102 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- 33103 - Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
Exercise 3 Priority Occupations
Minimum score required: 653 points. Eligible occupations:
- 54100 - Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
- 63200 - Cooks
- 65200 - Food and beverage servers
- 65201 - Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
- 65310 - Light duty cleaners
- 73100 - Concrete finishers
- 73101 - Tilesetters
- 73102 - Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers, and lathers
- 73110 - Roofers and shinglers
- 73111 - Glaziers
- 73112 - Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- 73113 - Floor covering installers
- 73400 - Heavy equipment operators
- 75110 - Construction trades helpers and labourers
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
A total of 677 invitations were allocated to professionals employed in occupations that require regulatory authorization or licensing in Quebec.
| Exercise | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying Québec diploma + TEER 0–2 occupations | 73 |
| Exercise 2 – Priority occupation (TEER 1–2) | 393 |
| Exercise 3 – Priority occupation (TEER 1–2) | 118 |
| Exercise 4 – TEER 0–2 occupations | 71 |
| Exercise 5 – TEER 3–5 occupations | 22 |
Exercise 1 Requirements
- Minimum score: 562 points.
- Eligible Quebec diploma.
- Advanced French-language ability.
Exercise 2 Priority Occupations
Minimum score: 275 points Eligible occupations:
- 31100 - Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101 - Specialists in surgery
- 31102 - General practitioners and family physicians
- 31103 - Veterinarians
- 31110 - Dentists
- 31112 - Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- 31120 - Pharmacists
- 31121 - Dietitians and nutritionists
- 31200 - Psychologists
- 31202 - Physiotherapists
- 31203 - Occupational therapists
- 31300 - Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- 31301 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 31302 - Nurse practitioners
- 31303 - Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- 32100 - Opticians
- 32101 - Licensed practical nurses
- 32102 - Paramedical occupations
- 32103 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 32104 - Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- 32111 - Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- 32112 - Dental technologists and technicians
- 32120 - Medical laboratory technologists
- 32121 - Medical radiation technologists
- 32122 - Diagnostic medical sonographers
- 32123 - Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- 41220 - Secondary school teachers
- 41221 - Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- 41300 - Social workers
- 41301 - Counsellors and specialized therapists
- 42202 - Early childhood educators and assistants
Exercise 3 Priority Occupations
Eligible occupations:
- 21203 Land surveyors
- 21300 Civil engineers
- 21301 Mechanical engineers
- 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 21320 Chemical engineers
- 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers
- 21390 Aerospace engineers
- 22300 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- 22301 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 22302 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 72102 Sheet metal workers
- 72105 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- 72106 Welders and related machine operators
- 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- 72201 Industrial electricians
- 72203 Power system electricians and electrical lineworkers
- 72300 Plumbers
- 72301 Pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler system installers and heating system installers
- 72310 Carpenters
- 72320 Bricklayers
- 72321 Insulators
- 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- 72406 Elevator constructors and mechanics
- 72422 Electro-mechanical technicians
- 72500 Crane operators
- 72602 Deck officers, water transport
Additional Requirements
- Exercise 4 minimum score: 580 points.
- Exercise 5 minimum score: 637 points.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
The smallest stream by volume focused on individuals with exceptional achievements or internationally recognized expertise. A total of 22 invitations were issued.
| Exercise | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Positive opinion letter | 17 |
| Exercise 2 - Exceptional achievement + doctorate | 5 |
Exercise 1 Requirements
Candidates needed:
- A positive recommendation from a recognized MIFI partner organization operating within designated sectors.
Exercise 2 Requirements
Candidates needed:
- Evidence of an achievement recognized under Quebec's Exceptional Achievements framework.
- Education equivalent to a Quebec doctoral degree, including undergraduate doctorate programs.
What This Draw Indicates for Future Quebec Immigration
The invitation distribution also reveals ongoing demand in healthcare, education, engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, and community services. French-language proficiency remains a major factor across nearly all selection streams, reinforcing Quebec’s objective of attracting newcomers who can integrate successfully into the province’s linguistic and economic environment.
With more draws expected throughout 2026, candidates with Quebec education, local work experience, and occupations aligned with labour shortages may continue to benefit from future PSTQ selection rounds.
