On August 27 2026 Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) conducted its eighth Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) draw, issuing 790 invitations for permanent‑selection applications. The invitations were distributed across the four PSTQ streams, with the largest share (324) going to candidates in the Intermediate and Manual Skills stream (Stream 2).
Overall draw summary
| Stream | Invitations | Exercises (cut‑off scores) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Highly qualified & specialized skills | 87 | 1 (26 / 639), 2 (11 / 710), 3 (50 / 694) |
| 2 – Intermediate & manual skills | 324 | 1 (31 / 4638), 2 (10–15 / 706), 3 (56 / 95), 4 (24 / 9616) |
| 3 – Regulated professions | 109 | 1 (77 / 639), 2 (25–30 / 694), 3 (53 / 93) |
| 4 – Exceptional talent | 21 | 1 (15 / N/A), 2 (6 / N/A) |
Cut‑off scores are the minimum points required for each exercise.
Stream 1 – Highly qualified and specialized skills (TEER 0‑2)
Invitations were limited to candidates residing in Québec with at least 12 months of recent work experience. Occupations were grouped by three exercises:
Exercise 1 – Priority sectors in health, education, and natural sciences (10 occupations)
Exercise 2 – Chefs (NOC 62200) and food‑service supervisors (NOC 62020)
Exercise 3 – 26 occupations mainly in engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, and technology (e.g., aircraft mechanics 22313, cybersecurity specialists 21220, data scientists 21211, welders 72106).
Stream 2 – Intermediate and manual skills (TEER 3‑5)
Candidates needed 24 months of work experience (at least 12 months in Québec). The four exercises targeted:
Exercise 1 – Six health, education, or home‑care occupations (e.g., elementary/secondary school teacher assistants 43100, home support workers 44101).
Exercise 2 – Cooks 63200 and light‑duty cleaners 65310.
Exercise 3 – Eleven construction, manufacturing, or transportation occupations (e.g., aircraft assemblers 93200, concrete finishers 73100, transport truck drivers 73300).
Exercise 4 – Any TEER 4‑5 occupation (no specific list).
Stream 3 – Regulated professions
All candidates were Québec residents intending to work in a regulated field.
Exercise 1 – 32 health, education, or social‑service occupations (e.g., dentists 31110, pharmacists 31120, registered nurses 31301).
Exercise 2 – 30 engineering, skilled‑trade, or transportation occupations (e.g., aerospace engineers 21390, civil engineers 21300, electricians 72200, welders 72106).
Exercise 3 – Regulated TEER 4‑5 occupations (no specific list).
Stream 4 – Exceptional talent
Targeted candidates with ≥ 36 months of recent work experience.
Exercise 1 – Positive opinion letter from a MIFI partner in a designated field.
Exercise 2 – Demonstrated exceptional achievement listed on MIFI’s “List of Exceptional Achievements” and an education level equivalent to a Québec doctorate (including undergraduate doctorates).
How the PSTQ works
- Declaration of interest – Prospective applicants submit a profile through the Arrima portal.
- Selection – Profiles are scored against factors linked to economic and social integration; those meeting the cut‑off for a given exercise receive an invitation.
- Application – Invited candidates submit a complete application for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
- Federal stage – With a CSQ, candidates apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence.
Upcoming changes
- The Québec Experience Program (PEQ) reopened on 2 July 2026 and will run its first intake until 31 October 2026.
- To stay within the 2026‑2029 immigration targets, Québec is reducing PSTQ invitations and concentrating them on TEER 4‑5 occupations and candidates who have not yet accumulated two years of work experience.
- From November 2026, PSTQ invitation levels will be adjusted based on the volume of PEQ applications, with the province aiming to issue an equal number of CSQs across both programs for the remainder of the 2026‑2029 plan.
Key take‑aways for prospective applicants
- Verify that your occupation and TEER level match the specific exercise criteria before the draw.
- Ensure you have the required recent work experience (12 months for Stream 1, 24 months for Stream 2, etc.).
- Keep an eye on the PEQ intake period; a successful PEQ application may be a faster route to a CSQ.
- After receiving an invitation, prepare a complete CSQ application promptly, as processing timelines are tied to the invitation date.
Full details of the August 27 2026 selection round, including stream‑specific eligibility, are available on Québec’s official PSTQ invitation page.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
