PSTQ Québec 2025: What we know and how to prepare yourself

What is the Qualified Worker Selection Program (QWSP)?

The PSTQ replaces the PRTQ and is designed to select qualified workers with the skills and professional experience required to meet Quebec's economic needs.

Objective of the PSTQ:

• Strengthening Québec's economic growth

• Filling labor shortages in priority sectors

• Promoting better integration of new arrivals

Where does the PSTQ stand in 2025?

Little official information available

To date, the Quebec government has not published:

• The points scale

• Precise selection criteria

• Invitation procedures

A detailed official guide is expected in 2025.

Temporary suspension of invitations via Arrima

Since the end of 2024, invitations by Arrima have been suspended.

However :

• You can always submit a declaration of interest (EOI) on Arrima.

• It is still possible to have a job offer validated by the MIFI.

Practical tip: Optimize your profile now to be ready when invitations resume.

What we already know about how the PSTQ works

Fluency in French: a key factor

A good level of French will be essential to maximize your chances of being selected. Prepare yourself now by taking your French exams, and by taking French courses if you don't manage to get the minimum score in French.

The usefulness of a validated job offer

✅ Having a job offer validated by the Quebec government could give you a significant advantage.

However :

• However, the exact number of points awarded remains unknown to date.

Please note: Current processing times for job offer validation requests are around 6 months. We therefore advise you to submit your request as soon as possible.

Anticipated evaluation criteria

Although the final scale is not yet known, the PSTQ is expected to evaluate :

• The level of French

• Level of education

• Professional experience

• Age

• Existing links with Quebec (temporary stays, family)

The PSTQ points system: what we don't know yet

To date :

• No detailed points system has been published.

• The weight of each factor (language, diploma, experience, job offer...) remains unknown.

• The points threshold required to be invited has not yet been set.

The various components of the PSTQ

The PSTQ will be structured into four distinct components to meet specific profiles and needs:

Strand 1 - High qualifications and specialist skills

Target: Workers in FEER 0, 1 or 2 occupations (managers, professionals, specialized technicians). To determine the FEER, simply enter the second digit of the NOC code.

Example: Motor vehicle mechanic (NOC 72410) is a FEER 2 category.

• Main requirements:

• Education: Hold an AEC, DEC or DEP diploma (or equivalent recognized in Quebec).

• Experience: At least 1 year's full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in your main occupation, in Quebec or elsewhere, in the 5 years preceding your application.

• French: minimum oral level 7 or higher and written level 5. Level 4 oral is required for the accompanying spouse.

Section 2 - Intermediate and manual skills

Target: Workers in FEER category 3, 4 or 5 occupations

• Main requirements:

  • Education: A diploma equivalent to a high school diploma (e.g. Bachelor's degree) or a diploma equivalent to a DEP, ASP or AEC.

  • Experience: Have paid work experience in the main main occupation of at least two years, including at least one year in Quebec, on a full-time or equivalent basis, acquired in the five years preceding the date of submission of your application. (Experience outside Quebec may have been acquired in the main occupation or in an occupation belonging to the same broad occupational category, i.e. the first digit of the NOC code of both occupations is the same).

• French: minimum oral level 5. Oral level 4 is required for accompanying spouses.

Example of a Stream 2 occupation: Cook (NOC 63200).

Section 3 - Regulated professions

• Main requirements

•  The main profession must be listed in the Ministry's List of Regulated Professions (PDF 291 Ko). 

• Authorization to practice your profession in Quebec OR Proof of partial or full recognition of equivalence of training or diploma dated no more than five years prior to the date of submission of your application for permanent selection.

• French :

• Category FEER 0, 1 or 2: you must have a minimum knowledge of spoken French at level 7 and written French at level 5.

• Category FÉER 3, 4 or: you must have an oral knowledge of French at level 5 or higher on the Échelle québécoise.

• Your accompanying spouse must have a spoken knowledge of French at level 4 or higher on the Échelle québécoise.

• Objective: Meet urgent needs in certain strategic sectors.

Section 4 - Exceptional talent

• Main requirements:

• Distinguish yourself clearly in your main profession through exceptional expertise likely to contribute to Quebec's prosperity;

• Have practiced your main profession for at least 3 years in the 5 years preceding the date of submission of your application.

• Have an achievement listed on the Ministry's Achievement List (PDF 124 Ko) 

OR 

Have obtained an opinion from one of the Ministry's partners in a targeted field.

What to do in the meantime?

Even without knowing all the details:

✅ S ubmit an expression of interest (EOI) on Arrima.
✅ Validate a job offer if possible.
✅ Work on your French language skills (minimum B2 recommended).
✅ Have your qualifications assessed by a recognized organization.
✅ Follow the official updates published by the Ministry.

Conclusion: Preparing today for tomorrow's success

The PSTQ is an opportunity for economic immigration to Quebec.
Although many elements remain to be clarified, it's crucial to start preparing now.

🔵 Optimize your profile
🔵 Work on your French
🔵 Validate a job offer if possible
🔵 Be reactive as soon as the program opens

Getting professional help is also a winning strategy for maximizing your chances of success.