Quebec is the one province that selects its own economic immigrants. That means the road to permanent residence there runs through two governments: first Quebec chooses you and issues a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), then Canada checks your health, security and admissibility and grants permanent residence. French is at the heart of Quebec’s choices, and the rules changed a great deal in 2024 to 2026, so it is worth starting from the current picture.
The four streams of the PSTQ
The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) replaced the old Regular Skilled Worker Program on November 29, 2024. French levels are on the Québec scale (Échelle québécoise), and results must be less than two years old.
| Stream | Who it is for | French | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Highly qualified | Jobs in FEER 0, 1 or 2 | Oral 7 and written 5 | At least 1 year in the last 5 years |
| 2. Intermediate and manual | Jobs in FEER 3, 4 or 5 | Oral 5 | At least 2 years, including 1 year in Quebec |
| 3. Regulated professions | Professions that need a permit from a Quebec regulatory body | Oral 7 and written 5 (FEER 0 to 2), oral 5 (FEER 3 to 5) | Depends on the profession |
| 4. Exceptional talent | People with an internationally recognized achievement | No level stated | 3 of the last 5 years in your field |
In streams 1 to 3, an accompanying spouse or partner needs oral French at level 4 or higher.
From expression of interest to permanent residence
- 01
File your expression of interest in Arrima
It is free, for people 18 or older, and stays valid for 12 months. You have 90 days to finish a draft. When it expires, you can file a new one, again for free.
- 02
Wait for an invitation
Quebec invites candidates by stream, based on your profile’s score and its needs. If you are invited, accept within 30 days.
- 03
Apply for your CSQ within 60 days
Submit your selection application and pay Quebec’s fee: $940 for you, $201 for a spouse and $201 for each child. In stream 3, you have up to a year if you still need recognition from your regulatory body.
- 04
Receive your Quebec Selection Certificate
A CSQ is valid for applying to Canada while it is 24 months old or less. With it, you may also be able to get an open work permit while you wait.
- 05
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
Canada checks your health, security and admissibility. The federal fees are $1,590 for you and your spouse (including the right of permanent residence fee) and $270 for each child.
Invitations in 2026
Quebec held nine PSTQ invitation rounds between January 29 and September 24, 2026. From July onward, rounds became much smaller: stream 1 rounds fell from around 900 to 1,100 invitations to under 110, and stream 3 rounds from over 1,000 to about 110. Quebec has not given a reason on its page, so if you are waiting in the pool, keep your profile current and your French scores valid.
Working or studying in Quebec first
- Most temporary workers and students need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) as well as a federal permit. The CAQ fee is $233 for work and $135 for studies.
- Students do not need a CAQ for a program of 6 months or less. From December 17, 2025 to December 16, 2027, Quebec caps the number of study CAQ applications each institution can receive.
- Workers renewing a CAQ after 3 years of work in Quebec will need oral French at level 4, for applications sent from December 17, 2028.
- Low-wage LMIAs are currently not processed in Montréal and Laval.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply through Express Entry to live in Quebec?
No. Express Entry and the federal economic programs are for people who plan to live outside Quebec. If you want to settle in Quebec, you go through Quebec’s own selection, such as the PSTQ.
Is the PEQ coming back?
Quebec says no decision has been made about a new intake window. It closed on October 31, 2026, after opening on July 2, 2026. The PSTQ, through Arrima, is the main route for now.
How long is an Arrima expression of interest valid?
Twelve months. It cannot be extended, but you can file a new one for free when it expires.
Do I need French to immigrate to Quebec?
For most people, yes. Streams 1 to 3 set oral, and sometimes written, French levels, and a spouse in those streams needs oral level 4. Stream 4, for exceptional talent, does not state a French level.
You don’t have to face the wait alone.
Thousands of people have shared their real timelines so the next person isn’t left guessing in the dark. Add yours, keep your own application and your family’s together in one place, and see a grounded estimate of how long your decision might take, drawn from people who are walking the same path.
- Share your timeline and help the next applicant find their footing.
- Track your own and your family’s applications together, in one calm place.
- See a realistic estimate of your wait, based on people on the same journey.
It’s free, and what you track stays private to you. Sharing your timeline with the community is always your choice.
IRCC’s current estimate for an application submitted today. It is a guide to plan around, not a promise about your own file. Details
Key takeaways
- Quebec selects its own skilled workers through Arrima and the PSTQ, then IRCC grants permanent residence.
- Most streams set French levels on the Québec scale.
- The PEQ stopped taking applications on October 31, 2026.
- Quebec: Skilled Worker Selection Program (opens in a new tab)
- Quebec: PSTQ invitations in 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Québec : Programme de l’expérience québécoise (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Quebec skilled workers (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Fee list (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed: Nov 8, 2026