Quebec’s immigration ministry has conducted its sixth Skilled Worker Selection Program round of 2026, though this latest Quebec PSTQ draw issued the fewest invitations of the year. On July 3, Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) selected 501 provincial immigration candidates across all four PSTQ streams, with the largest share going to workers in intermediate and manual skill occupations.
Selections for this Quebec PSTQ draw were pulled from the Arrima declaration-of-interest pool on June 26, 2026, at 10:53 a.m., covering everything from highly specialized professionals to workers in regulated professions and even individuals recognized for exceptional talent in strategic fields.
Quick Highlights : Quebec PSTQ Draw
- The July 3 Quebec PSTQ draw issued 501 invitations across all four program streams
- Stream 2 (Intermediate and manual skills) received the largest share at 289 invitations
- This marks Quebec’s sixth PSTQ selection round of 2026, with the smallest invitation total so far
- Stream 1 (Highly qualified and specialized skills) issued 74 invitations across three separate exercises
- Stream 3 (Regulated professions) issued 131 invitations across four exercises
- Stream 4 (Exceptional talent) issued just 7 invitations to candidates in strategic sectors, research, arts, or sports
- Minimum scores ranged from 475 to 726 points depending on the specific exercise
Full Breakdown of the Quebec PSTQ Draw by Stream
This round selected candidates across all four streams simultaneously, with invitation volumes varying considerably based on occupation category and exercise-specific criteria.
| Stream | Focus | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 | Highly qualified and specialized skills | 74 |
| Stream 2 | Intermediate and manual skills | 289 |
| Stream 3 | Regulated professions | 131 |
| Stream 4 | Exceptional talent | 7 |
| Total | 501 |
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
This portion of the Quebec PSTQ draw targeted TEER 0–2 occupations for candidates already residing in Québec with at least 12 months of work experience within the last five years.
| Exercise | Criteria | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 | Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 1, 2) | 31 |
| Exercise 2 | Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 2) | 5 |
| Exercise 3 | Qualifying diploma + priority occupation (TEER 0–2) | 38 |
Exercise 1 required a minimum score of 628 points and targeted five specific NOCs including early childhood educators, pharmacy technicians, and social and community service workers. Exercise 2 demanded a considerably higher 726 points, covering occupations like aircraft mechanics, chefs, and electromechanical technicians. Exercise 3 required 656 points across a broader list of 19 NOCs spanning construction, engineering technology, and skilled trades.
All Stream 1 candidates needed French proficiency of at least level 7 in both oral skills and level 5 in written skills, plus completion of at least one year of full-time study in Quebec resulting in a qualifying Quebec diploma.
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
This stream delivered the largest share of invitations in this Quebec PSTQ draw, targeting TEER 3–5 occupations.
| Exercise | Criteria | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 | Qualifying diploma + work experience + priority occupations (TEER 3) | 35 |
| Exercise 2 | Qualifying diploma + work experience + priority occupations (TEER 3–5) | 14 |
| Exercise 3 | Qualifying diploma + TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 240 |
Exercise 3 alone accounted for the vast majority of Stream 2 invitations, requiring only a 628-point score and a primary occupation in TEER 4 or 5, without the additional priority-sector NOC restriction applied to Exercises 1 and 2. Exercise 1 targeted healthcare support roles like medical laboratory assistants and nurse aides, requiring 24 months of work experience with at least 12 in Quebec. Exercise 2 focused on hospitality and service occupations including cooks, food and beverage servers, and recreation program leaders, requiring the higher 726-point threshold.
All Stream 2 candidates needed French oral proficiency of at least level 5, along with education equivalent to a Quebec high school diploma or a qualifying two-year post-secondary program.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
This portion of the Quebec PSTQ draw targeted candidates intending to work in regulated professions, issuing 131 invitations across four exercises.
| Exercise | Criteria | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 | Priority occupations (TEER 1, 2) | 84 |
| Exercise 2 | Priority occupations (TEER 1, 2) | 41 |
| Exercise 3 | Priority occupations (TEER 3, 5) | Fewer than 5 |
| Exercise 4 | TEER 4 or 5 occupation | Fewer than 5 |
Exercise 1 required 628 points and covered 26 healthcare and education-related NOCs including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and teachers. Exercise 2 required 656 points across 26 engineering and skilled trades occupations. Exercise 3 targeted construction trades helpers and related occupations at 656 points, while Exercise 4 required only 475 points for candidates intending to practice a TEER 4 or 5 regulated occupation.
All Stream 3 candidates needed the highest language bar in this draw: French proficiency of level 7 or higher in oral skills and level 5 or higher in written skills.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
The smallest category in this Quebec PSTQ draw issued just 7 invitations to candidates with at least 36 months of work experience in the last five years who received a positive opinion from a MIFI partner organization in one of four targeted fields: strategic economic sectors, research, arts, or sports.
Quebec’s PSTQ Activity Throughout 2026
This July 3 round marks Quebec’s sixth PSTQ selection round of 2026, and notably, it issued the fewest total invitations of any round held so far this year. This suggests either a deliberate scaling back of selection volume, a reduced pool of eligible high-scoring candidates in the Arrima system, or a shift in Quebec’s occupation-specific priorities compared to earlier rounds.
How the PSTQ System Works
The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) is Quebec’s principal economic immigration pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent settlement in the province. Prospective candidates must first submit a declaration of interest through the Arrima portal, after which their profile enters Quebec’s declaration-of-interest database and is assessed against factors supporting successful economic and social integration.
The stream under which a candidate may receive an invitation through a future Quebec PSTQ draw is determined primarily by their declared occupation and its corresponding National Occupational Classification category. Quebec periodically invites candidates meeting the specified criteria for each exercise to apply for permanent selection.
Successful applicants receive a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which then allows them to apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
What Candidates Should Take Away From This Round
The wide variance in minimum scores across this Quebec PSTQ draw—from 475 points in Stream 3’s Exercise 4 up to 726 points in both Stream 1’s Exercise 2 and Stream 2’s Exercise 2—demonstrates just how differently Quebec weighs candidates depending on their specific occupation and exercise category.
Candidates in TEER 4 and 5 occupations under Stream 2’s Exercise 3 clearly had the most accessible pathway in this round, both in terms of score threshold and sheer invitation volume, accounting for nearly half of all invitations issued. Meanwhile, candidates targeting the highest-scoring exercises in Streams 1 and 3 faced considerably steeper competition.
French language proficiency remains a consistent and non-negotiable requirement across every stream, with Streams 1 and 3 both demanding oral proficiency at level 7 or higher—reinforcing that strong French skills remain the single most important factor for candidates hoping to succeed in a future Quebec PSTQ draw.
Key Takeaways Of Quebec PSTQ Draw
This latest Quebec PSTQ draw issued 501 invitations across all four program streams, with intermediate and manual skills workers receiving the largest share by a significant margin. Despite being the sixth selection round of 2026, this draw issued the fewest invitations of the year, reflecting Quebec’s ongoing, occupation-specific approach to economic immigration selection. Candidates should closely monitor which specific exercise and NOC list applies to their occupation, since minimum scores and eligibility requirements varied dramatically across the 17 individual exercises run in this single round.
FAQs : Quebec PSTQ Draw
How many invitations were issued in this Quebec PSTQ draw?
The July 3, 2026 draw issued 501 invitations across all four PSTQ streams, with Stream 2 (Intermediate and manual skills) receiving the largest share at 289 invitations.
What was the minimum score required in this draw?
Minimum scores ranged from 475 points in Stream 3’s Exercise 4 to 726 points in Stream 1’s Exercise 2 and Stream 2’s Exercise 2, depending on the specific exercise and targeted occupations.
What French language level is required for the PSTQ?
Requirements vary by stream. Streams 1 and 3 require oral proficiency of level 7 or higher and written proficiency of level 5 or higher. Stream 2 requires oral proficiency of level 5 or higher.
How many PSTQ draws has Quebec held in 2026?
This was Quebec’s sixth PSTQ selection round of 2026, though it issued the fewest total invitations of any round held so far this year.
What happens after receiving an invitation through the PSTQ?
Successful candidates receive a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which allows them to subsequently apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.
Source : CIC News
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