On October 3, 2024, Quebec introduces a new immigration program – the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ), aimed at attracting highly qualified specialists for permanent residence in this province. This program is an updated version of previous programs and offers more opportunities for those who wish to build their future in Quebec.
What You Should Know About PSTQ:
- Priority of the French Language:
The main language of the province is French, so proficiency in it is an important criterion for successful adaptation. - On September 4, 2024, applicants who receive an invitation to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) will have a full year to submit documents instead of the standard 60 days.
- Point System:
Applications are evaluated based on several factors, including your age, work experience, education level, and language skills. The more points you score, the higher your chances of obtaining a CSQ. - Specific Occupation Requirements:
Quebec is especially interested in attracting specialists in priority sectors for the province’s economy such as IT, healthcare, engineering, construction, and education. - To apply for permanent residence, you must begin the process of diploma or qualification recognition and obtain at least partial confirmation of equivalency.
Main Advantages of PSTQ:
- Independence from Express Entry:
PSTQ does not require participation in the federal Express Entry system, which can be beneficial for those who do not meet its criteria. - Quebec’s Separate Selection Process:
The province independently selects candidates based on its specific needs, offering greater chances to those with a profile oriented toward working and integrating in Quebec. - Faster Processing for Quebec Students and Workers:
If you have already worked or studied in the province, your application may be processed faster.
The Program is Divided into Two Sections:
- Section A: Occupations for which a license to work in Quebec is mandatory. Total: 74 occupations.
- Section B: Includes 92 occupations where a license is not always mandatory. However, for participation in Volet 3, at least partial diploma recognition must be provided.
Occupations Requiring a License to Work in Quebec
| NOC Code | Occupation Title (English Translation) |
| 0111 | General Management Directors |
| 0121 | Production and Operations Directors |
| 0211 | Construction Directors |
| 0311 | Food Service Directors |
| 1111 | Accountants |
| 1121 | Management Consultants |
| 2111 | Physicists |
| 2112 | Chemists |
| 2113 | Biologists |
| 2121 | Chemical Engineers |
| 2131 | Civil Engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical Engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
| 2141 | Metallurgical Engineers |
| 2142 | Energy Engineers |
| 2143 | Agronomy Engineers |
| 2151 | Architects |
| 2171 | Computer System Technicians |
| 2172 | Network and Communications Technicians |
| 2211 | Electrical System Technicians |
| 2212 | Electronic System Technicians |
| 2231 | Mechanical Technicians |
| 2241 | Metal Processing Technicians |
| 2251 | Energy Technicians |
| 2261 | Automation Technicians |
| 2263 | Electrical and Electronic Technicians |
| 2271 | Information Systems Technicians |
| 2281 | Electronics Repair Technicians |
| 3111 | Doctors |
| 3112 | Dentists |
| 3113 | Psychiatrists |
| 3114 | Pharmacists |
| 3211 | Nurses and Midwives |
| 3212 | Surgeons |
| 3213 | Anesthesiologists |
| 3121 | Clinical Psychologists |
| 4031 | School Teachers |
| 4111 | Early Childhood Educators |
| 4211 | Elementary School Teachers |
| 4311 | Social Workers |
| 5111 | Artists and Graphic Designers |
| 5121 | Hosts, Writers, and Editors |
| 5212 | Musicians and Composers |
| 6211 | Sales Managers |
| 6212 | Retail Managers |
| 6221 | Food Retail Managers |
| 6231 | Restaurant Managers |
| 6241 | Food Service Managers |
| 6321 | Cooks |
| 7311 | Mechanical System Technicians / Cooks |
| 7321 | Auto Repair Technicians / Mechanics |
| 72311 | Woodworking Technicians |
| 7315 | Maintenance Mechanics |
| 72301 | Pipeline Installers |
| 7241 | Structural Installers |
| 7251 | Welders |
| 7331 | Machinery Maintenance Technicians |
| 7341 | Electronics Repair Technicians |
| 7411 | Auto Mechanics |
| 7421 | Electricians |
| 7511 | Truck Drivers |
| 7521 | Car Drivers |
| 7611 | Construction Laborers |
| 7621 | Maintenance Laborers |
| 7312 | Mechanical System Repair Technicians |
| 8121 | Electronics Repairers |
| 8211 | Metallurgy Engineers |
| 8221 | Construction Technicians |
| 8311 | Automation Repairers |
| 8411 | Mechanical Repair Technicians |
| 8511 | Electronics Processing Experts |
| 8611 | Electrical Repairers |
Occupations Where a License is Not Always Mandatory in Quebec
| NOC Code | Occupation Title (English Translation) |
| 0111 | General Management Directors |
| 0121 | Production and Operations Directors |
| 0211 | Construction Directors |
| 0311 | Food Service Directors |
| 1111 | Accountants |
| 1121 | Management Consultants |
| 1221 | Business Administrators |
| 1222 | Department Managers |
| 1311 | Sales Managers |
| 13110 | HR Administrators |
| 2111 | Physicists |
| 2112 | Chemists |
| 2113 | Biologists |
| 2121 | Chemical Engineers |
| 2131 | Civil Engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical Engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
| 2141 | Metallurgical Engineers |
| 2142 | Energy Engineers |
| 2143 | Agronomy Engineers |
| 2151 | Architects |
| 2171 | Computer System Technicians |
| 2172 | Network and Communication Technicians |
| 2211 | Electrical System Technicians |
| 2212 | Electronic System Technicians |
| 2231 | Mechanical System Technicians |
| 2241 | Metal Processing Technicians |
| 2251 | Energy Technicians |
| 2261 | Automation Technicians |
| 2263 | Electrical and Electronic Technicians |
| 2271 | Information System Technicians |
| 2281 | Electronics Repair Technicians |
| 3111 | Doctors |
| 3112 | Dentists |
| 3113 | Psychiatrists |
| 3114 | Pharmacists |
| 3211 | Nurses and Midwives |
| 3212 | Surgeons |
| 3213 | Anesthesiologists |
| 3121 | Clinical Psychologists |
| 4011 | School Teachers |
| 4111 | Early Childhood Educators |
| 4211 | Elementary School Teachers |
| 4311 | Social Workers |
| 5111 | Artists and Graphic Designers |
| 5121 | Hosts, Writers, and Editors |
| 5212 | Musicians and Composers |
| 6221 | Food Retail Managers |
| 6231 | Restaurant Managers |
| 6241 | Food Service Managers |
| 6311 | Cooks |
| 7321 | Mechanical Systems Technicians |
| 7331 | Auto Repair Technicians |
| 6341 | Woodworking Technicians |
| 7215 | Maintenance Mechanics |
| 72301 | Pipeline Installers |
| 7241 | Building Structure Installers |
| 7251 | Welders |
| 7311 | Cooks |
| 7321 | Machinery Repair Technicians |
| 7331 | Machine Maintenance Technicians |
| 67341 | Electronics Repair Technicians |
| 7411 | Auto Mechanics |
| 7421 | Electricians |
| 7511 | Truck Drivers |
| 7521 | Car Drivers |
| 7611 | Construction Laborers |
| 7621 | Maintenance Laborers |
| 8111 | Mechanical System Repair Technicians |
| 8121 | Electronics Repairers |
| 8211 | Metallurgy Engineers |
| 8221 | Construction Technicians |
| 8311 | Automation Repairers |
| 8411 | Mechanical Repair Technicians |
| 8511 | Electronics Processing Experts |
| 8611 | Electrical Repairers |
| 0911 | Retail Trade Directors |
| 1221 | Office Managers |
| 1312 | Management Activity Managers |
| 1412 | Business Administrators |
| 2213 | Electrical System Repair Technicians |
| 2232 | Machine Service Technicians |
| 2252 | Technicians |
Conditions for Participation in PSTQ:
To successfully submit an application, you must meet the following requirements:
- Education: You must have at least a secondary or post-secondary diploma, recognized in Quebec.
- Work Experience: You must have at least 6 months of full-time work experience in an occupation that meets Quebec’s labour market needs.
- Language Requirements: Knowledge of the French language at a level not lower than B2 is mandatory for most applicants. A language certificate or other evidence of French proficiency (e.g., DELF, TCF) must be submitted.
- Financial Capacity: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family while living in Quebec.
Required Document Package:
- Completed CSQ application: This is the main document confirming your intention to immigrate and compliance with PSTQ requirements.
- Passport copy: For all family members applying with you.
- Diplomas and education certificates: Certified copies of diplomas and academic transcripts. If the documents are not issued in French or English, they must be translated.
- Proof of professional experience: Letters from employers, contracts, and certificates confirming your work experience.
- Language proficiency certificates: Official results of French (DELF, DALF, TCF) and, if required, English (IELTS, CELPIP) tests.
- Proof of financial capacity: Bank statements or other documents proving your ability to support yourself and your family in Quebec.
- Marriage or child birth certificates: If family members are included in the application.
- Police clearance certificate: For all family members over 18 years old.
Step-by-Step Submission Process for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ)
Step 1: Eligibility Assessment for PSTQ
Before starting the application process, it is important to assess whether you meet the program’s basic criteria:
- Appropriate education level (minimum vocational or higher education).
- Work experience (at least 6 months full-time in a high-demand occupation).
- French language skills at level B2 or higher.
- Sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family.
Step 2: Document Preparation
Before beginning the application, prepare all required documents:
- Certified copies of diplomas and academic transcripts.
- Proof of professional experience (letters from employers, contracts, reference letters).
- Official results of French and English language tests.
- Proof of financial capacity.
- Passport copies for all family members applying.
- Marriage and birth certificates (if applying with family).
- Police clearance certificate.
Step 3: Registration in the Arrima Online System
Quebec uses the Arrima online platform to manage immigration applications. You must create a profile in the system that includes all your personal information:
- Age, education, work experience, language skills, and other important data.
- Arrima uses a points-based evaluation system, where your profile is assessed based on the information provided.
Registration steps:
- Register on the Arrima platform and create a personal profile.
- Fill out all required profile fields (education, work experience, language proficiency, etc.).
- Upload supporting documents.
- Confirm your registration and submit the application.
Step 4: Receiving an Invitation to Apply for the CSQ
After submitting your profile in Arrima, you will be added to the pool of candidates.
Selection is based on points awarded for various criteria (age, language skills, work experience, etc.). If you meet the requirements, the Quebec government may send you an invitation to apply for the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
Step 5: Submitting the Application for the CSQ
Once you receive the invitation, you must submit an application for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This is the main document confirming your nomination for immigration to Quebec.
To apply for the CSQ, you must:
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit all required documents for verification (education, work experience, financial resources, etc.).
- Wait for the decision from the Quebec government regarding your application.
Step 6: Obtaining the CSQ
After a successful review of your application, the Quebec government will issue you the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This confirms that you have been nominated for immigration by Quebec.
Step 7: Submitting the Application for Permanent Residence (Federal Level)
With the CSQ, you proceed to submit your application for permanent residence to the federal Government of Canada. At this stage, your PR application is processed.
Main steps:
- Submit the application through the federal government portal.
- Provide all required documents, including the CSQ.
- Undergo medical and security checks.
- Wait for a decision on the granting of permanent residence.
Step 8: Obtaining Permanent Resident Status
After completing the federal processing and successfully passing all checks, you will be granted permanent resident status in Canada.
Step 9: Moving to Quebec
Once you receive permanent residency, you can move to Quebec and begin your new life. At this stage, you already have all the rights and responsibilities of a permanent resident of Canada, including the ability to work, live, and receive social benefits in Quebec.
Conclusion
The PSTQ program is an important initiative of the Quebec government that provides highly skilled professionals with a clear and predictable path to permanent residence in the province. With its emphasis on French language proficiency, educational and professional credential recognition, and a flexible selection mechanism through the Arrima system, PSTQ helps attract candidates who can quickly integrate into Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural life.
Unlike federal Canadian programs, PSTQ is not tied to the Express Entry system, opening additional opportunities for applicants with appropriate professional training, motivation to work in a French-speaking environment, and a desire to become a full part of Quebec society.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the occupational requirements, licensing rules, qualification recognition processes, and language criteria, and to ensure full and accurate documentation at every stage. Successful completion of the CSQ application process and subsequent acquisition of permanent residency not only allows legal settlement in Quebec but also provides access to a wide range of rights and opportunities under Canadian law.
PSTQ is not just an immigration program, but a strategic tool that simultaneously supports the province’s economic development and offers newcomers the prospect of a stable and dignified life in one of Canada’s most dynamic regions.
