Quebec resumes PSTQ selections with more than 1,800 invitations across four streams
Quebec has restarted invitations under its Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ) after a pause of nearly three months. On December 4, the province issued over 1,870 invitations to candidates seeking permanent selection, drawing profiles from the Arrima bank across all four PSTQ streams.
Candidates were extracted from Arrima on December 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., marking a broad-based selection that reflects Quebec’s ongoing focus on labour shortages, regional needs outside Montréal, regulated professions, and exceptional talent.
Overview of the December PSTQ draw
- Total invitations issued: 1,870+
- Date of invitations: December 4
- Candidate pool: Arrima
- Streams included:
- Highly qualified and specialized skills
- Intermediate and manual skills
- Regulated professions
- Exceptional talent
This round demonstrates Quebec’s intention to balance economic priorities, regional workforce distribution, and French-language integration.
Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
Quebec invited 605 candidates through Stream 1, targeting individuals with advanced skills and experience in high-demand occupations.
Who was selected
Invitations were issued to candidates living in Quebec who met all of the following conditions:
- Minimum score of 781 points
- Primary occupation classified under NOC FEER 0, 1, or 2
- No intention to practise a regulated profession listed by the Minister
- At least 12 months of eligible work experience in the past five years
- Completion of an eligible Quebec diploma program
- French proficiency of level 7+ (oral) and level 5+ (written)
- Spouse French proficiency of level 4+ (oral), if applicable
Regional and sector-specific focus
Candidates residing outside the Montréal Metropolitan Community were also selected under Stream 1 if:
- Their primary occupation was related to manufacturing or food processing
- They achieved a reduced minimum score of 644 points
This highlights Quebec’s continued push to strengthen regional manufacturing capacity.
Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
Under Stream 2, 604 candidates received invitations, primarily targeting workers in intermediate and manual occupations tied to Quebec’s industrial and regional labour needs.
Selection criteria (outside Montréal)
Candidates living outside the Montréal Metropolitan Community were invited if they:
- Worked in NOC FEER 3, 4, or 5 occupations
- Did not plan to practise a regulated profession
- Demonstrated French proficiency of level 5+ (oral)
- Had at least 24 months of work experience in the last five years, including 12 months in Quebec
- Scored 573 points or higher
- Worked in manufacturing-related occupations
Additional invitations across Quebec
Quebec also invited candidates living anywhere in the province who:
- Scored 612 points or higher
- Worked in one of 12 in-demand occupations identified by the province
This dual approach allowed Quebec to address both regional and province-wide labour shortages.
Stream 3: Regulated professions
The largest share of invitations—649 candidates—was issued under the regulated professions stream, reflecting Quebec’s ongoing demand for licensed professionals.
General eligibility requirements
Candidates residing in Quebec were selected if they:
- Intended to practise a regulated profession in NOC FEER 0, 1, or 2
- Demonstrated French proficiency of level 7+ (oral) and level 5+ (written)
- Had a spouse with level 4+ French proficiency (oral), if applicable
- Scored at least 717 points
- Worked in a profession listed as in demand
Priority healthcare professionals
Quebec also invited healthcare professionals with regulatory approval in the following occupations:
- Clinical and laboratory medicine specialists
- Surgical specialists
- General practitioners and family physicians
These candidates required at least one year of Quebec work experience within the past five years.
Additional lower-score selection
Another subset of candidates was invited with:
- A minimum score of 535 points
- Employment in one of 10 eligible priority occupations
Stream 4: Exceptional talent
Quebec issued 12 invitations through the exceptional talent stream, targeting individuals with extraordinary achievements or recognition.
Eligible candidates included those who:
- Held a positive assessment from a partner ministry in areas such as strategic industries, research, arts, or sports
- Had 36 months of experience in their primary occupation in the last five years
Alternative eligibility pathway
Invitations were also extended to applicants who:
- Held proof of achievement listed on Quebec’s Exceptional Accomplishments list
- Possessed education equivalent to a Quebec doctorate
- Accumulated at least 36 months of relevant work experience
This stream remains highly selective and focused on long-term provincial impact.
What this draw means for candidates
Quebec’s latest PSTQ round signals a renewed and diversified selection strategy. Strong French proficiency, Quebec-based work experience, and alignment with regional or sectoral priorities remain decisive factors. Candidates with manufacturing, healthcare, and regulated professional backgrounds—particularly outside Montréal—continue to benefit from targeted selections.
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