Quebec issues first invitations under the Skilled Worker Selection Program

On July 17, Quebec issued its first invitations under the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).

The invitations targeted individuals already living in Quebec, with a focus on those who speak French, have work experience or educational credentials from within the province, and who are employed in occupations that help address Quebec’s labour shortages.

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

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

Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills

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

To qualify, candidates needed to meet the following criteria:

• Have a score of at least 768 points;
• Be living in Quebec; and
• Have a Quebec university, college, or secondary vocational level diploma.*

*For a secondary vocational or college program, the program must be at least 900 hours long; for a university program, the program must include at least 30 credits.

Candidates also have to meet all the other criteria to be eligible under this stream. This includes:

• Having an occupation in training, education, experience and responsibility (FEER) category 0, 1 or 2;
• Have acquired at least 12 months of work experience in the last five years in their primary occupation;
• 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; and
• Their spouse (if applicable) 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.

Candidates needed to have a post-graduate diploma (doctorate) to be selected in this draw.

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

• Holding at least one of the following documents:
  - A positive opinion rendered by a Ministère partner in a targeted field; or
  - A document proving an achievement listed in the Ministry of Immigration’s List of Exceptional Accomplishments (PDF) for applicants under Stream 4.
• Have work experience in their primary occupation for at least three out of the last five years.

About the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)

The Skilled Worker Selection Program (formerly the Regular Skilled Worker Program) is an immigration pathway to permanent residence in Quebec.

The PSTQ replaced 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:

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

For all four PSTQ streams, applicants must also:

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

*The attestation is also required 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 (when the PSTQ came into effect) 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 may receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection under a stream of the PSTQ.

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