Quebec Immigration (PSTQ, Arrima, PEQ) — Not a PNP
Quebec has no Provincial Nominee Program — IRCC's own page states 'Quebec and Nunavut don't have programs'. Under the Canada-Québec Accord, Quebec selects its own economic immigrants and issues a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) through the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ, via the Arrima portal) or the temporarily reopened Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ, intake July 2–October 31, 2026); IRCC then grants permanent residence after its own admissibility checks. There is no provincial 'nomination', no +600 CRS bonus, and no Express Entry route for Quebec-selected candidates.
Quebec runs its own, fully independent selection system under the Canada-Québec Accord — not a Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), not a provincial nomination, and get no federal CRS bonus.
Last verified: · Sources: IRCC
What changed in 2026
PEQ reopened for a two-year window (July 2, 2026–July 2, 2028) after its November 19, 2025 closure; the first intake period runs July 2–October 31, 2026 with no cap on applications, limited to people who met PEQ conditions as of November 19, 2025. The PEQ Quebec Graduates stream also dropped its requirement that coursework be completed in French.
2026 nomination allocation
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Streams
PSTQ Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
For non-regulated TEER 0, 1 or 2 occupations.
Age 18+; at least 12 months of full-time paid experience in the main occupation in the past 5 years; diploma from a full-time program of 1+ year; French oral level 7+, written level 5+ (spouse: oral level 4+); financial self-sufficiency contract covering 3 months; values attestation.
No job offer requiredPSTQ Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
For TEER 3, 4 or 5 occupations.
At least 2 years of experience in the past 5 years, including at least 1 year in Québec; at least a secondary school diploma (DES) or a 1-year+ vocational/college diploma; French oral level 5+ (spouse: oral level 4+).
No job offer requiredPSTQ Stream 3: Regulated professions
For occupations on MIFI's List of Regulated Professions.
Authorization to practise, or proof of partial/full recognition of equivalence from the Quebec regulatory body; French oral 7 and written 5 for TEER 0–2, oral 5 for TEER 3–5 (spouse: oral 4).
No job offer requiredPSTQ Stream 4: Exceptional talent
For internationally recognized expertise.
At least 3 years in the main occupation within the past 5 years; an achievement on MIFI's Liste des accomplissements, or a positive opinion from a MIFI partner. No French criterion is applied at the invitation stage.
No job offer requiredPEQ: Temporary foreign workers stream
For TFWs legally in Quebec, reopened for a limited window in 2026.
Age 18+; French oral level 7+ (spouse: oral 4+); full-time (30+ hrs/week) paid work in TEER 0–3, currently and for at least 24 of the past 36 months; 2026 reception criterion: 2+ years of TEER 0–3 Quebec work experience as of November 19, 2025. Applications received only July 2–October 31, 2026.
Job offer requiredPEQ: Quebec Graduates stream
For international graduates of Quebec institutions, reopened for a limited window in 2026.
Eligible diploma (bachelor's, master's, doctorate, technical DEC, or DEP/DEP+ASP of 1,800+ hrs) obtained within the past 36 months; stayed in Quebec for at least half the program; French oral level 7, written level 5. The prior French-coursework requirement was removed in July 2026. 2026 reception criterion: diploma obtained as of November 19, 2025. Applications received only July 2–October 31, 2026.
No job offer requiredHow to apply
- 1. File a free Expression of Interest (EOI) in Arrima (PSTQ only); you have 90 days to complete and submit it, and it stays valid for 12 months.
- 2. MIFI ranks and invites by stream in up to three steps; accept within 30 days of an invitation.
- 3. Submit the application within 60 days of accepting (or within 1 year for Stream 3 candidates awaiting regulatory recognition); fees are $940 for the main applicant and $201 for a spouse.
- 4. Complete the attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values within 60 days of MIFI's request.
- 5. If approved, you receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), then apply to IRCC for permanent residence (about 11 months, fees from $1,590).
- 6. PEQ: apply directly for permanent selection in Arrima — there is no EOI or invitation step — only during the July 2–October 31, 2026 reception window.
Recent draws
| Date | Streams | Invitations | Score / criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSTQ Streams 1–4 combined invitation round | 519 | S1 634–706 / S2 611–706 / S3 380–697 | |
| PSTQ Streams 1–4 combined invitation round | — | S1 639–710 / S2 unpublished (placeholder on official page) / S3 393–694 | |
| PSTQ Streams 1–4 combined invitation round | 523 | S1 651–702 / S2 621–702 / S3 376–700 | |
| PSTQ Streams 1–4 combined invitation round | 501 | S1 628–726 / S2 628–726 / S3 475–656 | |
| PSTQ Streams 1–4 combined invitation round | 2549 | S1 666–692 / S2 624–653 / S3 556–637 |
Official links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quebec's PSTQ a Provincial Nominee Program?
No. Quebec runs its own, fully independent selection system under the Canada-Québec Accord. IRCC's provincial-nominee page explicitly states 'Quebec and Nunavut don't have programs.' Quebec issues a CSQ, not a provincial nomination.
Does a Quebec CSQ give +600 CRS points like other provinces' nominations?
No. There is no Express Entry route for Quebec-selected skilled workers and no CRS bonus. After receiving a CSQ, you apply to IRCC separately under the 'Quebec-selected skilled workers' class, which takes about 11 months.
What French level do I need for the PSTQ?
It varies by stream: Stream 1 needs oral level 7+/written 5+; Stream 2 needs oral 5+; Stream 3 needs oral 7/written 5 (TEER 0–2) or oral 5 (TEER 3–5); Stream 4 (exceptional talent) has no French criterion at the invitation stage.
Is the PEQ open right now?
Yes, but only for a limited window. PEQ closed November 19, 2025 and reopened for two years, July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028. Applications are being received only from July 2 to October 31, 2026, under reception criteria fixed as of November 19, 2025.
Do PEQ graduates still need to have studied in French?
No. The prior requirement that at least 75% of a graduate's coursework be completed in French was removed when PEQ reopened in July 2026. Graduates still need French oral level 7 and written level 5 to qualify.
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Sources
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/quebec-skilled-workers.html
- https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/skilled-worker-selection-program/requirements
- https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/skilled-worker-selection-program/invitation/2026
- https://www.quebec.ca/immigration/permanente/travailleurs-qualifies/programme-experience-quebecoise
- https://www.quebec.ca/immigration/permanente/travailleurs-qualifies/programme-experience-quebecoise/conditions-selection/diplomes-quebec
- https://www.quebec.ca/nouvelles/actualites/details/reouverture-temporaire-programme-experience-quebecoise-peq-71235
- https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/immigration/publications-adm/plan-immigration/PL_immigration_2026_MIFI.pdf
Always verify information with official IRCC sources. Processing times and program requirements can change without notice.
This guide provides informational guidance only — it is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently. Always verify with IRCC or a licensed RCIC/immigration lawyer. Processing times, draw scores, and program availability can change without notice.