Quebec invites over 2,500 candidates across all PSTQ streams to apply for…
Quebec issued 2,549 invitations to apply for permanent selection on June 4, drawing from all four streams of its Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ). The province selected candidates from the Arrima pool on June 1, 2026, at 6:00 a.m., with the largest share—1,094 invitations, or 42.9 percent—going to workers with highly qualified and specialized skills.
This marks Quebec's fifth immigration selection round of 2026. The previous four draws this year had not invited across all streams simultaneously, making this the broadest selection exercise the province has conducted since January.
Under stream 1, which targets occupations in TEER categories 0, 1, or 2, Quebec divided invitations across four exercises. Exercise 1 issued 459 invitations to candidates holding a qualifying Quebec diploma of at least 900 hours or 30 credits, with a minimum score of 677 points. Exercise 2 invited 239 candidates in priority health, education, and early childhood occupations—including physician assistants (NOC 31303), pharmacy technicians (NOC 32124), and early childhood educators (NOC 42202)—with scores as low as 379 points. Exercise 3 required 666 points and targeted priority occupations such as engineering managers (NOC 20010), machinists (NOC 72100), welders (NOC 72106), and aircraft mechanics (NOC 72404), issuing 165 invitations. Exercise 4 invited 231 candidates with a Quebec diploma and a score of at least 692 points, without occupation restrictions.
"Selections for all streams were made from the Arrima pool on June 1, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.," the province stated in its announcement.
All stream 1 candidates needed French proficiency of level 7 or higher in both oral skills and level 5 or higher in both written skills, with accompanying spouses required to demonstrate level 4 or higher orally. Candidates also needed 12 months of work experience in the last five years, current residence in Quebec, and completion of one year of full-time study in the province leading to a vocational diploma, college diploma, bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate. Stream 2, which covers intermediate and manual skills, issued 756 invitations, though the province did not release score thresholds or NOC details for that category in the June 4 announcement.
Workers in the six priority NOCs under exercise 2—spanning healthcare support roles, social services, and early childhood education—face the lowest score requirement at 379 points, a significant advantage over the 666- to 692-point thresholds in other exercises. Candidates in the 24 priority NOCs under exercise 3, which include trades such as carpenters (NOC 72310), bricklayers (NOC 72320), and crane operators (NOC 72500), needed 666 points. Exercise 1 and exercise 4, open to all TEER 0–2 occupations, required 677 and 692 points respectively.
Invited candidates should check their Arrima account for the invitation letter and submit a complete application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec within the deadline specified in the letter. The CSQ is the prerequisite for applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
Via CIC News