PSTQ Selection Round 2026: Quebec Opens the PR Door for Skilled Workers
The latest PSTQ selection round invited 501 candidates on July 3, 2026 — the full breakdown of scores, streams, and what comes next.
Eiffel Immigration • Quebec Immigration Desk • Updated July 17, 2026 • 9 min read
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501
Invitations issued July 3
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4
PSTQ streams activated
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6th
Selection round of 2026
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475–726
Score range required
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Quebec’s latest PSTQ selection round took place on July 3, 2026, when Québec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) drew candidates from the Arrima pool and issued 501 invitations to apply for permanent selection. This was the sixth PSTQ selection round of the year and the smallest so far — but it confirms Quebec is still actively opening the door for skilled workers across every occupation level, from tradespeople to registered nurses to exceptional-talent candidates.
In this guide, we break down this PSTQ selection round in full: how it compares to earlier 2026 draws, the exact scores it took to get invited, and the concrete next steps you can take to put your own profile in the strongest possible position for Quebec’s next PSTQ selection round. If you’re planning a Quebec immigration strategy, explore Eiffel Immigration’s Quebec immigration services for a personalized starting point.
In This Article
What Is the PSTQ, in Plain Terms
The PSTQ replaced the older Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) in November 2024 and is now the sole route to permanent residence in Quebec for skilled workers, after the province’s dedicated pilot programs for food processing, orderlies, and IT/AI workers wound down on January 1, 2026. Instead of a first-come-first-served intake, the PSTQ runs on an expression-of-interest model: candidates submit a declaration of interest through Arrima, and Quebec periodically invites the highest-scoring profiles that match its current labour-market priorities.
Successful candidates receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the federal permanent residence step, which includes medical, security, and criminal admissibility checks — a two-step process that exists because of the Canada–Québec Accord, under which Quebec selects its own economic immigrants while Ottawa handles final admissibility.
The program runs across four streams, sorted primarily by occupation and TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) level:
| Stream | Who It’s For |
|---|---|
| Stream 1 | Highly qualified and specialized skills (TEER 0–2) |
| Stream 2 | Intermediate and manual skills (TEER 3–5) |
| Stream 3 | Regulated professions requiring a Quebec professional order license |
| Stream 4 | Exceptional talent — research, arts, sports, or strategic sectors |
Every PSTQ Selection Round in 2026 So Far
Quebec’s 2026–2029 immigration plan caps total annual admissions at 45,000, with 64% allocated to economic immigrants — and the PSTQ is the main channel carrying that load. As a result, each PSTQ selection round this year has been shaped by that annual cap. Here’s how the year has unfolded across the main invitation rounds so far. For a deeper dive into how scoring works, see our Quebec immigration blog archive.
| Round | Extraction Date | Total Invitations | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (supplementary) | Jan 8, 2026 | 6 | Issued outside the main PSTQ streams under special regulatory provisions |
| 2nd | Feb 23, 2026 | 2,573 | Stream 3 (regulated professions) led with 1,141 invitations |
| 3rd | Mar 16, 2026 | 2,522 | Stream 3 again led at roughly 44% of the round |
| 5th | Jun 1, 2026 | 2,549 | Stream 1 led with 1,094 invitations (42.9% of the round) |
| 6th | Jun 26, 2026 | 501 | Smallest round of the year; Stream 2 led with 289 invitations |
The pattern is clear: after several rounds hovering around the 2,500 mark, the July round pulled back sharply. That’s consistent with Quebec pacing its invitations against its annual cap rather than any single round representing a shift in overall policy — but it does mean competition for each spot in future rounds may tighten as the year progresses.
Inside the July PSTQ Selection Round: Stream by Stream
Stream 1 — Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills (74 invitations)
Aimed at candidates in TEER 0–2 occupations already residing in Quebec with 12 months of relevant work experience. Scores needed ranged from 628 to 726 points across three exercises, and priority occupations spanned early childhood education, pharmacy technicians, aircraft mechanics, chefs, electromechanical technicians, and 19 different skilled trades including carpenters, welders, and crane operators.
Stream 2 — Intermediate and Manual Skills (289 invitations)
The largest share of this round. Candidates in TEER 3–5 occupations needed 628 points for the general exercise, or up to 726 points where a priority NOC applied — including medical laboratory assistants, nurse aides, cooks, food and beverage servers, and recreation program leaders. All required at least 24 months of relevant work experience (with a minimum of 12 in Quebec) for the priority-occupation exercises.
Stream 3 — Regulated Professions (131 invitations)
Covers candidates intending to practice a regulated profession in Quebec. Scores required ranged from 475 to 656 points across four exercises, with priority given to healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, physicians, dental hygienists), teachers, engineers, and skilled trades subject to regulation such as electricians and plumbers. All Stream 3 candidates needed French proficiency of level 7 oral / level 5 written.
Stream 4 — Exceptional Talent (7 invitations)
A small but notable stream for candidates with at least 36 months of work experience and a positive opinion from a MIFI partner organization in strategic economic sectors, research, arts, or sports.
| Stream | Focus | Invitations | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 | Highly qualified & specialized skills | 74 | 628–726 |
| Stream 2 | Intermediate & manual skills | 289 | 628–726 |
| Stream 3 | Regulated professions | 131 | 475–656 |
| Stream 4 | Exceptional talent | 7 | N/A (opinion letter based) |
| Total | 501 |
Why This Round Matters
Two things stand out. First, this was the smallest PSTQ round of the year, a reminder that Quebec is deliberately pacing invitations to match its 2026–2029 immigration plan. Second, nearly every priority occupation list this round still rewards candidates with French proficiency, Quebec residency, and Quebec work or study experience — the three pillars Quebec has been building its selection criteria around all year. Candidates without at least Quebec residency or a strong French score are increasingly competing for a narrower slice of each round.
Fast-Tracked PR for Workers Facing Permit Expiry
How to Position Your Profile for the Next PSTQ Selection Round
Every PSTQ selection round rewards preparation over luck. Use the checklist below, and if you’d rather have a licensed consultant handle the strategy, book a consultation with our Quebec immigration team.
| 1 | Submit or update your Arrima declaration of interest.This is the only entry point into the PSTQ pool — no profile in Arrima means no chance of an invitation, regardless of qualifications. |
| 2 | Get your French proficiency tested and scored.Nearly every exercise across all four streams rewards French at level 5–7. A TEF or TEFAQ result can meaningfully change which exercises you qualify for. |
| 3 | Check whether your occupation sits on a current priority list.Priority NOCs rotate between rounds, so an occupation that missed one exercise can easily qualify for the next. |
| 4 | Build Quebec residency or work experience where possible.Nearly every exercise in 2026 has favoured candidates already living and working in the province. |
| 5 | Secure your Attestation d’apprentissage des valeurs démocratiques et des valeurs québécoises.This attestation, confirming your understanding of Quebec’s democratic values, is mandatory for every PSTQ applicant and accompanying family member aged 18+ before a permanent selection application can be submitted. |
| 6 | Have your documents ready before an invitation lands.Once invited, candidates get a limited window — typically a matter of weeks — to submit a complete application. Missing it means losing the invitation entirely. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations did Quebec issue in its latest PSTQ round?
Quebec issued 501 invitations to apply for permanent selection on July 3, 2026, across all four PSTQ streams, drawn from the Arrima pool on June 26. Stream 2 (intermediate and manual skills) received the largest share, with 289 invitations.
What score do I need to get invited under the PSTQ?
Scores vary by stream and exercise. In the July 2026 round, thresholds ranged from 475 points (Stream 3, TEER 4/5 regulated occupations) up to 726 points (priority-occupation exercises in Streams 1 and 2). Your target score depends on your occupation, French level, and whether you already live in Quebec.
Do I need to live in Quebec to receive a PSTQ invitation?
Most exercises require candidates to be residing in Quebec at the time of selection, though requirements can vary slightly by exercise and stream. Candidates abroad are typically eligible for a narrower set of exercises, mainly within Stream 4 (exceptional talent) and select Stream 3 categories.
What’s the difference between a CSQ and permanent residence?
A Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) is Quebec’s decision that it has selected you — it is not permanent residence on its own. With a valid CSQ, you submit a full application to IRCC, which handles medical exams, biometrics, and security and criminality checks before issuing permanent residence.
How often does Quebec hold PSTQ selection rounds?
Quebec held six PSTQ rounds in the first half of 2026 alone, roughly every four to eight weeks, suggesting the Ministry has settled into a fairly predictable cadence compared to the program’s earlier rollout in 2024–2025.
What happens if I miss my invitation window?
Invited candidates get a limited window, typically measured in weeks, to submit a complete application for a Quebec Selection Certificate through Arrima. Missing that window means losing the invitation entirely and having to wait in the pool for a future round.
Not sure where your profile stands under the PSTQ?
Eiffel Immigration can review your Arrima profile, calculate your PSTQ score across all four streams, and map out the fastest realistic pathway to your Certificat de sélection du Québec.
Sources: Gouvernement du Québec — PSTQ Invitation Rounds 2026; CIC News, July 14, 2026; Immigration.ca, May 2026. Immigration criteria change frequently — always confirm current requirements with a licensed consultant before applying.
