Quebec Has Invited 523 Candidates to Apply for PR
Quebec Invites 523 Candidates in Latest PSTQ Immigration Selection Round
Quebec has invited 523 candidates to apply for permanent selection through its latest Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) immigration round. The selection exercise, held on July 30, 2026, covered all four PSTQ streams and included candidates working across professional, technical, healthcare, skilled trade and intermediate-level occupations.
The latest round demonstrates Quebec’s continued use of occupation-focused immigration selection to respond to labour market needs. Candidates were selected from the province’s Arrima declaration of interest pool, with different exercises applying separate occupation, work experience, education and scoring requirements.
The profiles considered in this round were drawn from the Arrima pool on July 27, 2026, at 4:39 p.m. This was Quebec’s seventh PSTQ selection round of 2026.
PSTQ Selection Round at a Glance
| PSTQ Stream | Invitations Issued | Main Candidate Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 – Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills | 105 | Skilled workers in targeted TEER 0–2 occupations |
| Stream 2 – Intermediate and Manual Skills | 296 | Workers in TEER 3–5 occupations |
| Stream 3 – Regulated Professions | 110 | Candidates intending to work in regulated occupations |
| Stream 4 – Exceptional Talent | 12* | Candidates with exceptional achievements or specialized expertise |
| Total | 523 | Candidates selected across all four PSTQ streams |
*The source information reports 12 total invitations for Stream 4, while the detailed exercise figures provided in the source show 15 invitations under Exercise 1 and fewer than five under Exercise 2.
Stream 1 Selects Highly Qualified and Specialized Workers
Quebec issued 105 invitations under Stream 1, which is intended for candidates with highly qualified and specialized professional backgrounds. The selection exercises focused on workers in TEER 0–2 occupations who were residing in Quebec and met the required work experience conditions.
The invitations were divided among three exercises, with each one targeting specific occupational groups and selection criteria.
Stream 1 Selection Breakdown
| Selection Exercise | Invitations | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation, TEER 1–2 | 44 | 651 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation, TEER 2 | 12 | 702 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation, TEER 0–2 | 49 | 701 |
| Total | 105 | — |
The first exercise focused on candidates whose primary occupation was connected to a priority sector and appeared among the occupations listed below.
Stream 1 – Exercise 1 Eligible Occupations
| Selection Exercise | Invitations |
|---|---|
| 21110 | Biologists and related scientists |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 42203 | Instructors for persons with disabilities |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 21100 | Physicists and astronomers |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
| 41301 | Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies |
Stream 1 – Exercise 2 Eligible Occupations
The second exercise concentrated on two occupations within the priority sectors identified for the selection round.
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 62200 | Chefs |
| 62020 | Food service supervisors |
Stream 1 – Exercise 3 Eligible Occupations
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 22313 | Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
| 72404 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 72410 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 22100 | Chemical technologists and technicians |
| 22300 | Civil engineering technologists and technicians |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 72500 | Crane operators |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
| 21211 | Data scientists |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 72422 | Electrical mechanics |
| 20010 | Engineering managers |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
| 22302 | Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
| 72321 | Insulators |
| 72105 | Ironworkers |
| 72100 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
| 22301 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22232 | Occupational health and safety specialists |
| 72203 | Powerline technicians |
| 72102 | Sheet metal workers |
| 72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
Stream 2 Accounts for the Largest Number of Invitations
Stream 2 was the biggest component of the July 30 selection round, accounting for 296 invitations. This stream is intended for workers in intermediate and manual occupations, particularly those classified under TEER 3, 4 and 5. The province used three separate selection exercises to identify candidates.
Stream 2 Selection Breakdown
| Selection Exercise | Invitations | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying diploma + work experience + priority occupation, TEER 3–4 | 37 | 656 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying diploma + work experience + priority occupation, TEER 3–5 | 10 | 702 |
| Exercise 3 – TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 249 | 621 |
| Total | 296 | — |
The first exercise included occupations connected to education, caregiving, healthcare and pharmacy.
Stream 2 – Exercise 1 Eligible Occupations
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 43100 | Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants |
| 44101 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 13112 | Medical administrative assistants |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical workers |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
The second exercise focused on two occupations:
Stream 2 – Exercise 2 Eligible Occupations
| Selection Exercise | Invitations |
|---|---|
| 63200 | Cooks |
| 65310 | Light duty cleaners |
The third exercise did not specify individual occupations. Instead, candidates needed to have a primary occupation classified under TEER 4 or TEER 5. This broader approach resulted in 249 invitations, making it the largest individual selection exercise of the July round.
Regulated Professionals Receive 110 Invitations
The stream was divided into three exercises, with the first two concentrating on priority occupations at TEER 1 and 2 levels. The third exercise was aimed at candidates intending to work in regulated TEER 4 or 5 occupations.
Stream 3 Selection Breakdown
| Selection Exercise | Invitations | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Priority occupation, TEER 1–2 | 72 | 649 |
| Exercise 2 – Priority occupation, TEER 1–2 | 33 | 700 |
| Exercise 3 – TEER 4 or 5 occupation | 5 | 376 |
| Total | 110 | — |
The first exercise included a wide range of healthcare, education and social service professionals.
Stream 3 – Exercise 1 Eligible Occupations
| Selection Exercise | Invitations |
|---|---|
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists |
| 31100 | Clinical and laboratory medicine specialists |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 41221 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 32100 | Opticians |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 41220 | Secondary school teachers |
| 41300 | Social workers |
| 31101 | Surgical specialists |
| 41301 | Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
The second exercise expanded the targeted occupations into engineering, construction, transportation, industrial and skilled trade fields.
Stream 3 – Exercise 2 Eligible Occupations
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 21390 | Aerospace engineers |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 22300 | Civil engineering technologists and technicians |
| 21300 | Civil engineers |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 72500 | Crane operators |
| 72602 | Deck officers, water transport |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 72200 | Electricians, except industrial and power system |
| 72422 | Electromechanical technicians |
| 72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 72603 | Engineer officers, water transport |
| 21331 | Geological engineers |
| 72402 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 22302 | Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
| 72321 | Insulators |
| 72105 | Ironworkers |
| 22301 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
| 21301 | Mechanical engineers |
| 21322 | Metallurgical and materials engineers |
| 72300 | Plumbers |
| 72203 | Powerline technicians |
| 72102 | Sheet metal workers |
| 72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
Candidates under the third exercise were required to demonstrate their intention to work in a regulated occupation classified at TEER 4 or 5. The selection information did not identify a specific list of occupations for this exercise.
Exceptional Talent Candidates Also Considered
The fourth PSTQ stream is intended for candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, specialized expertise or notable achievements. The source information reports 12 invitations under this stream, with candidates required to have at least 36 months of work experience during the previous five years.
Stream 4 Selection Breakdown
| Selection Exercise | Invitations | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Selection Exercise | Invitations | Cut-off |
| Exercise 1 – Positive opinion letter | 15* | N/A |
| Exercise 2 – Exceptional achievement + doctorate | <5* | N/A |
*The detailed figures in the source do not reconcile with the reported total of 12 invitations for Stream 4. For the first exercise, candidates needed a positive opinion letter issued by a partner of Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). The candidate’s area of expertise also needed to fall within one of the fields targeted by the ministry.
The second exercise was intended for individuals who could demonstrate a recognized exceptional achievement and possess education equivalent to a Quebec doctorate, including qualifying undergraduate doctoral degrees. Unlike the other streams, the selection exercises in this category did not use a published minimum score in the available selection details.
How Candidates Can Apply Through the PSTQ
The PSTQ process begins with a declaration of interest submitted through Quebec’s Arrima platform. Candidates provide information about their professional background and other relevant factors, after which their profiles are placed into Quebec’s declaration-of-interest pool.
Quebec periodically reviews profiles and selects candidates who meet the requirements of specific immigration exercises. An invitation allows the selected individual to submit an application for permanent selection.
Successful applicants can receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, or CSQ. Once the provincial selection stage is completed, they can move forward with the federal permanent residence application process.
The PSTQ consists of four streams, and the appropriate pathway depends largely on factors such as the candidate’s occupation, NOC classification and professional circumstances.
Quebec Is Adjusting Its Immigration Priorities
The latest PSTQ round takes place during a period of transition in Quebec’s immigration system. The province reopened the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2, 2026, while simultaneously adjusting its approach to PSTQ invitations.
According to the information provided for the selection round, Quebec intends to moderate PSTQ invitations through October 31, 2026, as it works toward the admission targets established in its 2026–2029 multi-year immigration plan.
During this period, the province is placing particular emphasis on candidates in TEER 4 and 5 occupations and applicants who have not yet accumulated two years of work experience. The approach could change from November 2026. Quebec plans to consider the number of applications received during the first PEQ intake period when determining future PSTQ invitation volumes.
The province has also indicated that it intends to maintain a balance in the number of Quebec Selection Certificates issued through the two programs for the remainder of the period covered by its current immigration plan.
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.
Conclusion
The July 30 PSTQ selection round reinforces the importance of keeping an Arrima profile accurate and up to date. Candidates should ensure that their declared occupation accurately reflects their actual job duties and that their NOC classification is appropriate for their professional background.
Workers in healthcare, education, caregiving, skilled trades, engineering, technology, manufacturing and other targeted sectors may wish to monitor upcoming Quebec selection rounds closely. However, being employed in a listed occupation does not automatically guarantee an invitation, as candidates must also meet the requirements of the relevant exercise and compete according to the applicable selection criteria.
With Quebec balancing its PSTQ and PEQ pathways and operating within its multi-year immigration targets, future selection rounds may continue to evolve. Prospective applicants should therefore monitor official program requirements and selection announcements before making decisions about their permanent residence strategy.
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