Quebec has invited 519 workers to apply for permanent selection under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ, Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés). The province issued the invitations on September 24 across all four streams of the programme.

The largest share of invitations went to candidates in stream 2, which targets workers with intermediate and manual skills. Invitations also went out under the programme's remaining three streams.

The PSTQ replaced Quebec's former Regular Skilled Worker Program and divides candidates into four categories: stream 1 for highly skilled and specialized workers, stream 2 for intermediate and manual skills, stream 3 for regulated professions, and stream 4 for professions in demand, governed by art. 34 of the Quebec Immigration Act.

Selected candidates can now submit a complete application for permanent selection to the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). Candidates who receive a selection certificate (CSQ) can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.

Quebec manages its skilled worker intake through a notification of interest system modelled on Express Entry: candidates first submit an expression of interest in Arrima, the province's immigration portal, and the MIFI then invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for selection.

Quebec has the authority to set its own immigration levels under the Canada–Québec Accord, and 2026 targets remain unchanged for the province. Immigration to Quebec is capped at approximately 60,000 admissions per year.

Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program streams:

• Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized workers (TEER 0, 1 or 2, oral French level 7 or higher)
• Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills (TEER 3 or 4 or trades, oral French level 5 or higher)
• Stream 3: Regulated professions (doctors, pharmacists, engineers, etc.)
• Stream 4: Priority/art. 34 professions (nursing orderlies, orderlies, teacher-training, early childhood education, secondary vocational training instructors)