Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) announced that it has issued the first round of invitations under its highly anticipated Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, PSTQ). This event marks the resumption of selections, which had been on hold since the new program replaced the former Regular Skilled Worker Program in November 2024.

A total of 238 candidates received an invitation to apply for permanent selection, sending a clear message about the province's new immigration direction: to prioritize applicants who are already established locally and can contribute immediately to the economy and society. All invited candidates were already living in Quebec and demonstrated strong French-language skills and local ties.

This draw was divided into the following two streams:

Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills

Under this stream, 216 candidates were invited. To qualify, they had to meet a series of strict criteria demonstrating their high level of specialization and integration:

• Minimum Score: A score of at least 768 points.
• Residency: Must be residing in Quebec at the time of application.
• Local Education: Hold a Quebec university, college, or secondary-level vocational diploma. The vocational or college program must be at least 900 hours long, while a university program must include at least 30 credits.
• Occupation: The primary occupation must be in TEER category 0, 1, or 2 of Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• Work Experience: At least 12 months of work experience in their primary occupation within the last five years.
• Professional Status: Must not intend to practice a regulated profession.
• French Proficiency: The principal applicant must demonstrate an oral proficiency of level 7 or higher and written proficiency of level 5 or higher on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français. A spouse, if applicable, must have an oral proficiency of level 4 or higher.

Stream 4: Exceptional talent

In this highly specialized stream, 22 candidates were invited. This category is designed to attract top-tier individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their field.

In addition to meeting other eligibility criteria for the stream, invited candidates had to meet these core requirements:

• Education: Hold a post-graduate doctorate (PhD) degree.
• Proof of Accomplishment: Possess at least one of the following:
• A positive assessment from a designated MIFI partner in a targeted field.
• Documentation proving an achievement listed in the Ministry's List of Exceptional Accomplishments for Stream 4 applicants.
• Work Experience: At least three years of work experience in their primary occupation within the last five years.

About the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) and How to Apply

The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) is the primary pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers wishing to settle in Quebec. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Quebec’s online immigration portal, Arrima.

It is critical for all potential applicants to note that any EOI submitted before November 29, 2024—the date the PSTQ came into effect—must be updated to be considered in the new candidate pool. The Arrima system ranks all valid EOIs based on the PSTQ scoring grid, and high-scoring candidates may receive an invitation.

All invited candidates, regardless of stream, must also meet the following general requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Intend to settle in Quebec for employment that is not with a company they control or in an ineligible industry.
• Be capable of performing the job they intend to hold in Quebec.
• Sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract, confirming their ability to support themselves and any accompanying family members for the first three months.
• Obtain an Attestation of learning about democratic values and the Quebec values, as required by the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. This also applies to all accompanying family members aged 18 and over.

The successful launch of this first invitation round provides much-needed clarity for prospective immigrants, firmly establishing that French proficiency and tangible connections to the province are now the cornerstones of Quebec's skilled worker immigration strategy.