Quebec issues its first invitations under the PSTQ, i.e., Skilled Worker Selection Program. The invitations targeted individuals already living in Quebec, with a focus on those who speak French language, have work experience or educational credentials from within the province, and who are employed in occupations that help address Quebec’s labor shortages.

For this round, the province targeted two of the program’s streams:

  • Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
  • Stream 4: Exceptional talent

Stream 1: Highly Qualified And Specialized Skills

As Quebec issues its first invitations under the PSTQ, let us discuss about Stream 1.

On July 17, the Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration invited over 216 people to apply for permanent selection under this stream of the PSTQ.

To qualify, applicants needed to meet the following criteria:

  • Have a score of a minimum of 768 points
  • Be living in Quebec
  • Have a Quebec university, college, or secondary vocational level diploma

It is essential to note that for a secondary vocational or college program, the program must be at least 900 hours in duration. On the other hand, for a university program, the program must include at least 30 credits.

Applicants must also meet all the other eligibility criteria to be considered for this stream. This includes:

  • Having an occupation in the training, education, experience, and responsibility (TEER) category 0, 1, or 2
  • Have acquired a minimum of 12 months of work experience in the last five years in the primary profession
  • Not planning to practice a regulated profession
  • Demonstrating level 7 or higher in oral proficiency and level 5 or higher in written competencies according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Québec’s scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants) or its equivalent
  • Their spouse having knowledge of French of level 4 or higher in the two oral competencies according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français or its equivalent

Stream 4: Exceptional Talent

On July 17, the Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration invited 22 people to apply for permanent selection.

Applicants needed to have a post-graduate diploma to be selected in this draw.

They had to also meet other eligibility criteria for this stream, including:

  1. Holding at least one of the following documents:
  • A positive opinion rendered by a partner in a targeted field
  • A document proving an achievement listed in the Ministry of Immigration’s List of Exceptional Accomplishments for applicants under Stream 4
  1. Have work experience in their primary profession for a minimum of three out of five years.

About The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)

The Skilled Worker Selection Program is an immigration pathway to permanent residence in the province of Quebec.

The PSTQ replaced the Regular Skilled Immigration Worker Program in 2024, but has been on hold ever since, with no invitations having been issued until this month.

Those wishing to immigrate through the PSTQ have to meet certain eligibility requirements:

  1. Be 18 years of age or older.
  2. Plan to settle in Quebec for employment that:
  • Is not for a company they control (directly or indirectly)
  • Is not in an ineligible industry.
  1.  Be able to perform the job they wish to take up in Quebec.

For all four PSTQ streams, applicants must also:

  • Meet the criteria that resulted in their invitation to apply for permanent selection
  • Sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract, confirming the ability to support themselves and any accompanying family members for the first three months after becoming Quebec’s permanent resident
  • Obtain an Attestation of learning of democratic and Quebec Values, as highlighted in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
  • Respect any return obligations imposed by a scholarship in Quebec, if applicable.

Note that the attestation is also needed for all accompanying family members aged 18 or older.

Those interested in immigrating to Quebec through this program must complete a declaration of interest in Arrima.

Declarations that have been completed before November 29, 2024, must be updated.

Declarations of interest that are submitted are ranked according to the PSTQ scoring system. Those who obtain high scores and are able to meet the criteria might obtain an invitation to apply for permanent selection under a stream of PSTQ.

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