Québec selects skilled workers outside the PNP system.
Not a PNP
Québec has its own economic-selection system under federal–Québec arrangements.
Arrima
A declaration of interest enters the pool; Québec decides whom to invite under published exercises.
CSQ
An approved permanent-selection application leads to a Québec Selection Certificate.
Federal decision
After selection, IRCC decides admissibility and permanent residence.
The main occupation determines which PSTQ stream can apply.
| Stream | Occupation / TEER | Core program requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Highly qualified and specialized skills | Non-regulated main occupation in TEER 0, 1 or 2 | At least 1 year of relevant paid experience in the previous 5 years; qualifying diploma; French oral level 7 and written level 5. |
| 2 — Intermediate and manual skills | Non-regulated main occupation in TEER 3, 4 or 5 | At least 2 years of paid experience in the previous 5 years, including at least 1 year in Québec; qualifying education; French oral level 5. |
| 3 — Regulated professions | A main occupation on Québec's regulated-professions list, TEER 0–5 | Relevant regulator authorization or recognition; French level follows TEER: oral 7 + written 5 for TEER 0–2, oral 5 for TEER 3–5. |
| 4 — Exceptional talent | Exceptional expertise and achievements; no standard TEER gate | At least 3 years in the main occupation during the previous 5 years and recognition/opinion through the designated partner process. |
French is a program requirement and an invitation factor.
Use a document or test accepted by Québec and check the current equivalency rules. English can add information or points in Arrima but does not replace mandatory French.
| Applicant | Required French |
|---|---|
| Stream 1 | Québec scale level 7+ in both oral abilities and 5+ in both written abilities |
| Stream 2 | Level 5+ in both oral abilities |
| Stream 3 — TEER 0, 1 or 2 | Level 7+ oral and 5+ written |
| Stream 3 — TEER 3, 4 or 5 | Level 5+ oral |
| Accompanying spouse in Streams 1–3 | Level 4+ in both oral abilities |
| Stream 4 | No standard program French minimum, although invitation exercises can apply other criteria |
Invitation criteria are dynamic—use the score without treating it as a guarantee.
- 01
Québec invites separately for each of the four streams.
- 02
Ranking can draw on human capital, Québec labour-market needs and adaptation factors, including French, age, education, work experience, Québec study/work, location, validated job offer and spouse factors.
- 03
An exercise may require both a minimum Arrima score and additional NOC, region, Québec-experience or status filters.
- 04
The 2026 invitation page records each exercise and the score of the lowest-ranked invited candidate; a past threshold is not a guaranteed future threshold.
- 05
Québec says an official self-evaluation tool is forthcoming. Use that official tool when available and compare the result with the exact stream and exercise—not with an old PRTQ grid.
The main NOC controls stream, TEER and regulated-profession analysis.
Main occupation
Choose the five-digit NOC whose lead statement and duties best match the occupation you intend to practise.
TEER
TEER 0–2 generally maps to Stream 1 or the upper branch of Stream 3; TEER 3–5 maps to Stream 2 or the lower branch of Stream 3.
Regulated list
If the occupation is on Québec's regulated-professions list and you intend to practise it, evaluate Stream 3 and regulator recognition.
Invitation filters
Québec can target or exclude specific NOCs in an invitation exercise, so recheck the 2026 invitation page.
From declaration of interest to permanent residence.
- 01
Confirm the correct main NOC, TEER, regulated status and PSTQ stream.
- 02
Meet the stream's education, experience, French and spouse-language requirements.
- 03
Submit and keep the Arrima declaration of interest accurate.
- 04
If invited, accept and submit the complete permanent-selection application by the deadline.
- 05
If approved, receive the CSQ and then apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
- 06
Continue to report material changes and satisfy federal medical, criminal and security admissibility.
The right tools for this pathway
A PSTQ score is useful for planning, but it is not a pass mark. Québec is preparing an official self-evaluation tool; until it is released, use the official scoring page and current invitation exercises rather than an old PRTQ calculator.
Find the likely pathway and missing requirements.
PSTQ uses dynamic invitation scores and filters, while business programs are condition-based. This checker reviews pathway minimums; it does not predict a future cut-off or Québec decision.
Complete these items before relying on the profile
- ○ Age 18+ and genuine intention to settle and work in Québec
- ○ Five-digit main NOC identified from duties
- ○ Work-experience requirement confirmed for PSTQ Stream 1
- ○ Qualifying education confirmed for the selected stream
- ✓ Regulated-profession recognition addressed where required
- ○ Principal applicant meets Québec French 7+ oral and 5+ written
- ✓ Accompanying spouse meets oral French level 4 where applicable
- ○ Accurate Arrima declaration of interest is ready or active
This is not an Arrima score or invitation guarantee. Check the latest exercise for cut-off, targeted NOCs, region, Québec experience and status filters.
Official sources
Verify current rules at the authority.
This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Program status, intake and criteria can change.