Introduction
On July 3,2025, Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration, Jean-François Roberge, published a ministerial order in the Gazette officielle du Québec establishing the invitation criteria and scoring system for the new Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés– PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program). The PSTQ, which replaced the long-standing Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés – PRTQ on November 29,2024, will issue its first Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence throughout July 2025. The system prioritizes French-speaking candidates who already live, study, or work in Quebec—especially those contributing to regional labour needs. Skilled workers, international graduates, and employers should pay close attention: the PSTQ is now the primary provincial pathway to a Quebec nomination, and early action is essential to remain competitive in Quebec immigration draws.
Detailed Analysis of the PSTQ Changes
The ministerial order introduces a points-based framework built around four distinct streams, each designed to cover the full spectrum of Quebec’s labour market:
Stream 1 – Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
Targets occupations with the highest educational and professional requirements (FEER 0 & 1). Candidates gain substantial points for advanced degrees, specialized work experience, and strong French language proficiency.
Stream 2 – Intermediate and Manual Skills
Focuses on skilled trades and technical roles (FEER 2 & 3). Diplomas from Quebec vocational or technical institutions and verifiable experience in in-demand trades significantly boost scores.
Stream 3 – Regulated Professions in Quebec
Designed for professionals such as nurses, engineers, and accountants who must secure recognition by the province’s regulatory bodies. Proof of licensure or admission to a professional order is mandatory, and French remains a non-negotiable requirement.
Stream 4 – Exceptional Talent
Provides a flexible route for innovators, entrepreneurs, and individuals with unique expertise not captured by traditional National Occupational Classification codes. French is encouraged but not obligatory if an applicant’s contribution is deemed strategic to Québec’s economy.
Across all streams, the PSTQ scoring grid rewards:
- Quebec diplomas or study experience: Up to 12 points, with an additional regional bonus for credentials earned outside Greater Montreal.
- Quebec work experience: Up to 14 points, elevated for candidates working in shortage occupations or in regions experiencing acute labour gaps.
- French language proficiency: For Streams 1-3, a minimum of CLB 7 (B2) in oral and written French is compulsory. Higher scores translate into up to 16 language points.
- Spouse or partner factors: Education, French proficiency, and Quebec ties of an accompanying spouse contribute up to 10 additional points.
The Arrima portal remains the single gateway for submitting a _déclaration d’intérêt_. Declarations filed before November 29 2024 must be updated to align with PSTQ rules. Each profile is automatically scored; only the highest-ranked profiles—those matching the published invitation criteria—receive ITAs.
The Ministry confirmed during its June 5 2025 briefing that _initial PSTQ invitations will “gradually” roll out in July_. Early rounds will target:
- French-speaking temporary residents already in Quebec
- Graduates of Quebec institutions or workers holding a valid Quebec work permit
- Applicants whose occupations address critical shortages listed by Emploi-Québec
After each draw, the province will publish the number of invitations per stream and the cut-off score, providing transparency comparable to past QSWP invitation rounds.
Quebec Immigration Context
The launch of the PSTQ signals Quebec’s broader effort to streamline skilled worker selection and better align immigration with provincial economic priorities. While the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) continues to offer an expedited pathway for recent graduates and temporary foreign workers with advanced French skills, the PSTQ now serves as Quebec’s principal volume-driven selection mechanism—similar in spirit to the federal Express Entry system but tailored to Quebec values and French language objectives.
In practical terms, the PSTQ supplants the legacy Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), modernizing selection factors to place heavier weight on _regional retention_. By granting extra points for study and work conducted outside Montreal, Quebec hopes to encourage newcomers to settle in regions facing demographic decline. The province’s insistence on French proficiency reinforces its cultural and linguistic objectives, a cornerstone of both _La Charte de la langue française_ and the 2023 update to Quebec’s immigration plan.
Federally, successful PSTQ applicants still require a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) before applying for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This two-step process—Quebec nomination followed by federal admissibility—echoes pathways in other Provincial Nominee Programs yet remains unique for its mandatory French component and Quebec values test.
Next Steps for Applicants
1. Update or file your Arrima declaration of interest immediately. Profiles predating November 29, 2024 must be refreshed to meet PSTQ criteria.
2. Order French test results (TEF Canada or TCF Canada) if you have not already met the required CLB levels—especially critical for Streams 1-3.
3. Gather proof of Quebec ties. Diplomas, transcripts, work contracts, and regional leases can yield valuable points under the new grid.
4. Monitor July 2025 invitation rounds. The Ministry will publish score thresholds on Québec.ca after each draw; adjust your strategy if you fall short.
5. Consult accredited immigration counsel. Given the PSTQ’s nuanced scoring, professional advice can maximize your Quebec nomination prospects and ensure a smooth transition to federal permanent residence processing.
For authoritative details, review the full ministerial order in the _Gazette officielle du Québec_ and the dedicated PSTQ portal on Québec.ca.