Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Planning to relocate to Quebec, Canada? Proficient in French? Considering the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)? Quebec is a prominent province in Canada with its own unique eligibility criteria, separate from the Canada Express Entry system. For 2026, Quebec aims to welcome up to 45,000 new permanent residents through its immigration programs, with approximately 64% allocated to economic immigrants including those in the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). Read on to discover how the PSTQ can be your gateway to living and working in this vibrant province.
Note: The program is now officially called the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) or Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) in English. It replaced the former Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/PRTQ) effective November 29, 2024.
What is the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)?
The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program is a collaborative initiative by the Quebec government and the federal government, designed to attract skilled workers to settle in Quebec. As of November 29, 2024, the PSTQ is the official replacement for the former Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). With the closure of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) in November 2025 and its upcoming two-year reopening as announced May 5, 2026, the PSTQ is the primary long-term permanent pathway for skilled workers seeking Quebec residency.
Pathways for Immigration to Quebec
- Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)
- Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) – being reopened for two years as of May 2026 (start date TBC)
- Quebec Business Programs
Please Note: The three permanent immigration pilot programs (food processing, orderlies, AI/IT/VFX) were closed January 1, 2026. The PEQ was closed November 19, 2025, but is expected to reopen within weeks of announcement. Check MIFI official site for the current status.
Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) – How It Works?
The PSTQ allows skilled workers to immigrate permanently to Quebec. Candidates submit a Declaration of Interest through the Arrima portal and are assessed using a 1,400-point grid, with invitations issued by MIFI based on the province’s labour market needs and immigration targets.
The PSTQ has four streams covering different types of occupations:
- Stream 1 — High-Skill Occupations (TEER 0 and 1)
- Stream 2 — Intermediate-Skill Occupations (TEER 2 and 3)
- Stream 3 — Regulated Professions
- Stream 4 — Exceptional Talents
Note: The four PSTQ streams and their individual French language requirements represent a major structural change from the old QSWP. Under the QSWP, all applicants used the same nine-factor points grid; under the PSTQ, stream-specific criteria apply. French proficiency remains the single most heavily weighted factor across all streams.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Age: Minimum 18 years old.
Language Skills: Proficiency in French is required for most streams; some streams also consider English. French is the most heavily weighted selection factor in the PSTQ.
Work Experience: Relevant experience in an eligible occupation (varies by stream and TEER level).
Job Offer: A validated job offer from a Quebec employer enhances your candidacy and can significantly boost your declaration score.
Settlement Funds: Sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family upon arrival.
Educational Requirements: Educational qualifications aligned with your declared occupation.
Note: Under the new PSTQ, there are no fixed published minimum scores as there were under the QSWP (50 points for single, 59 for married). MIFI now uses invitation rounds with varying cutoffs based on labour market priorities and the available immigration spaces within Quebec’s 45,000 annual cap. Consult an RCIC for your estimated competitiveness!
The Quebec Skilled Worker Points System
The PSTQ uses a 1,400-point selection grid to evaluate candidates. Key scoring categories include:
- Education: Level and relevance to Quebec’s labour market needs
- Training Area: Specific skills in demand in Quebec
- Work Experience: Assessed over the past five years and within Quebec
- Age: Maximum points for candidates aged 18–35
- French Language Proficiency: The highest-weighted factor; oral, written, reading, and listening skills evaluated using NCLC/TEF/TCF scales
- English Language Proficiency: Secondary bonus points available
- Quebec Stay / Family Ties: Prior stays in Quebec and family connections in the province
- Job Offer: Validated employment offer from a Quebec employer
- Settlement outside Montréal: Bonus points for candidates willing to settle in regions outside the Montréal metropolitan area
Quebec Expression of Interest System (EOI)
The EOI is a Two-Step Process
It is a pre-screening process that begins with the submission of an electronic expression of interest for permanent residency to Arrima. Further, it helps the federal authority rank the applicants based on human capital and labor market-related criteria.
Under the second step, the government invites the top-ranked candidates to apply in regular draws from the pool. The chances of being invited in the draws depend on many factors, such as the government’s annual admission targets, processing capacity, language proficiency, work experience, the candidates’ ranking scores, job offers, and the targeted occupations at the time of each draw.
After receiving the invitation, through the Mon Project Quebec (application management system) the candidate submits the application form, pays the processing fees, tracks the application status, and edits the profile if required.
The selected profiles are issued a CSQ to apply for permanent residence to the Government of Canada. Further, for its approval process, the IRCC runs a medical and criminal background check.
Fee Requirements and Processing Time
Applicants applying through the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) are required to pay a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) application fee of CAD $844 for the principal applicant and CAD $181 for each accompanying dependent family member.
The estimated processing time for obtaining a CSQ generally ranges from 6 to 12 months, depending on the application volume and profile details. Once the CSQ is approved, applicants must then submit a separate permanent residence application to the federal government of Canada, which may take an additional 12 to 15 months for final processing.
New Fee Rules for Quebec Immigration Programs in 2026
As of 2026, Quebec continues to update its immigration fee structure across major immigration categories. Here’s a summary of the updated costs associated with various Quebec immigration programs:
Skilled Workers
- Principal Applicant: The application fee has increased from $822 to $844.
- Secondary Applicant: The fee has risen from $176 to $181.
Job Offer Validation
- The fee for validating a permanent job offer or assessing its impact on the Quebec labour market has increased from $202 to $205.
Business Immigration
For business immigration applicants, including Quebec investors, entrepreneurs, and self employed workers, fees have also seen an increase:
- Investors: The fee has increased from $15,763 to $15,962.
- Entrepreneurs and Self Employed Workers: The fee has gone up from $1,099 to $1,113.
Temporary Workers and Foreign Students
- Application Fee: The fee for temporary workers and foreign students has increased from $202 to $205.
Comparative Assessment
- Studies Outside Quebec: The fee for the comparative assessment of studies completed outside Quebec has risen from $121 to $123.
Applicants should note that Quebec immigration fees may change periodically based on government updates and policy revisions in 2026. These fees generally cover the cost of processing immigration applications for Quebec programs.
Additionally, applicants must also be prepared to pay for other associated expenses, such as supporting documents, language tests, biometrics, police clearance certificates, and medical examinations.
Application Process – How to Apply?
- Create an account on the Arrima portal
- Submit your Declaration of Interest with all required documents (diplomas, language test results, work certificates)
- Wait to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from MIFI
- Submit your full permanent selection application within 60 days of receiving your ITA
- If approved, receive your Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
- Apply to IRCC for Canadian Permanent Residence
Your Path to Quebec Starts Here
If Quebec is your destination, the Quebec Skilled Worker Program offers you the means to make it a reality. Whether you have a validated job offer, Quebec connections, or exceptional skills, each factor contributes to your journey. The Mon projet Québec online immigration service is your gateway to apply and embarking on this exciting chapter.
Stay Informed, Stay Prepared
Staying updated with the evolving requirements is vital. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is a dynamic pathway that aims to bring skilled workers to the province. From educational qualifications to work experience, and language skills to family connections, each element shapes your potential to flourish in Quebec.
You can consult our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to create and manage your profile without any hassle. Our licensed professionals will guide you at every step as per the federal requirement to help you successfully receive a Quebec Selection Certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Quebec based on a points system.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, including age, language skills, work experience, and educational qualifications.
The EOI system involves a two-step process where candidates express their interest and are then invited to apply based on ranking.
Processing times can vary but generally take around 13 months.
The fees are $844 CAD for the primary applicant, $181 CAD for secondary applicants, and $181 CAD for children under 18.
Proficiency in French is highly prioritized, but English language skills are also considered.
A job offer is not mandatory but can significantly enhance your chances.
Our RCIC, Eivy Joy Quito (License #R512178), is fully up to date on the latest changes to Quebec immigration policy, including the transition from QSWP to PSTQ and the upcoming PEQ reopening. With years of expertise across Express Entry, PNP, and Quebec-specific pathways, ImmigCanada Immigration Consultation Services offers personalized, professional guidance to maximize your chances of a successful application.
