Dear future neighbour,
Quebec is on a roll this year. On July 30, the province’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration ran another selection round under its Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), and this time, all four streams were in play. A total of 523 candidates walked away with invitations to apply for permanent selection, pulled from the Arrima pool based on profiles submitted as of July 27.
This makes it the seventh PSTQ round Quebec has held in 2026 alone. That’s a lot of movement, and if you’ve had a profile sitting in Arrima wondering when your turn will come, this draw is worth paying close attention to.
So who got picked, and why does it matter for you? Let’s break it down.
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
This stream targets workers in TEER 0–2 occupations already living in Quebec with at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the past five years. It brought in 105 invitations across three separate exercises.
| Exercise | Invitations issued | Cut-off score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 44 | 651 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 2) | 12 | 702 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 0–2) | 49 | 701 |
Exercise 1 focused on 10 priority occupations, including biologists, early childhood educators, pharmacy technicians, and physicists. Exercise 2 was narrower, covering only chefs and food service supervisors. Exercise 3 cast a wider net across 25 occupations, from cybersecurity specialists and data scientists to welders, carpenters, and heavy-duty equipment mechanics.
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
This was the biggest winner of the day. Stream 2, which covers TEER 3–5 occupations for candidates residing in Quebec, accounted for 296 of the total invitations, more than half of everything issued.
| Exercise | Invitations issued | Cut-off score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Qualifying diploma + work experience + priority occupations (TEER 3, 4) | 37 | 656 |
| Exercise 2 – Qualifying diploma + work experience + priority occupations (TEER 3, 5) | 10 | 702 |
| Exercise 3 – Qualifying diploma + TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 249 | 621 |
Exercise 1 targeted teacher assistants, home support workers, medical administrative assistants, and similar roles. Exercise 2 was limited to cooks and light duty cleaners. Exercise 3, which pulled in the bulk of invitations, was open to any TEER 4 or 5 occupation without a restricted list.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
Built for candidates intending to work in a regulated profession while living in Quebec, this stream handed out 110 invitations.
| Exercise | Invitations issued | Cut-off score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 72 | 649 |
| Exercise 2 – Priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 33 | 700 |
| Exercise 3 – TEER 4 or 5 occupation | 5 | 376 |
Exercise 1 covered 31 healthcare and education-related occupations, from dentists and dietitians to elementary teachers and psychologists. Exercise 2 focused on 30 engineering and skilled trades occupations, such as electricians, plumbers, and aerospace engineers. Exercise 3 was open to any regulated TEER 4 or 5 occupation.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
The smallest but most exclusive stream, requiring at least 36 months of work experience in the last five years, issued 12 invitations.
| Exercise | Invitations issued | Cut-off score |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 – Positive opinion letter | 15 | N/A |
| Exercise 2 – Exceptional achievement + doctorate | Fewer than 5 | N/A |
Exercise 1 required a positive opinion letter from a Ministry-approved partner in a targeted field. Exercise 2 was reserved for candidates who could show an exceptional achievement plus a doctorate-level education.
Why This Draw Matters More Than Usual
Here’s the part a lot of hopeful applicants miss: Quebec’s approach to the PSTQ is shifting. The province reopened its Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2, and through October 31, 2026, PSTQ invitations are being deliberately scaled back to keep numbers in line with the 2026–2029 immigration plan. Right now, invitations are leaning toward candidates in TEER 4 and 5 occupations and those who haven’t yet hit two years of work experience.
Come November, the province plans to adjust PSTQ numbers based on how many applications the PEQ pulls in during its first intake window. In short, the rules of the game are changing in real time, and timing your application well could make a real difference in your chances.
Ready To Make Your Move?
Whether you’re eyeing Quebec’s PSTQ, weighing Express Entry, or exploring a completely different pathway into Canada, the immigration landscape is shifting fast, and navigating it alone can cost you time, money, and opportunities you didn’t even know you had. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients build strong, accurate applications across provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. If you’re ready to find out exactly where you stand and what your best next step looks like, book a one-on-one consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes. Let’s get your Canadian dream moving in the right direction.