Quebec PEQ & PSTQ Skilled Worker Guide 2026
Complete legal and procedural guide to obtaining Permanent Selection in Quebec — PEQ for graduates and temporary foreign workers, Level 7 French oral requirement, Arrima Expression of Interest portal, and CSQ issuance.
Executive Summary: Quebec's Autonomous Immigration System
Under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec exercises exclusive constitutional authority over the selection of economic immigrants intending to settle within its territory. Federal economic immigration pathways such as the Express Entry system (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class) do NOT operate in Quebec.
To immigrate to Quebec as a skilled worker or international graduate, you must undergo a **two-step selection process**: first, obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) from Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI); second, submit your CSQ to IRCC at the federal level for health, security, and criminal background clearance to receive Permanent Resident status.
Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) Streams
The PEQ is a fast-track selection program for eligible Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers with valid Quebec experience:
| PEQ Stream | Eligible Diploma / Work Experience | French Language Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| PEQ Graduate Stream | Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP of 1,800+ hours), DEC, or University Degree (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) from an eligible Quebec institution | Level 7 oral proficiency (Échelle québécoise - B2) or completion of eligible French study program in Quebec |
| PEQ Worker Stream | 24 months of full-time work experience in Quebec in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 acquired within the last 36 months | Level 7 oral proficiency (B2) + Level 5 written French proficiency |
PSTQ (PRTQ) & The Arrima Expression of Interest Portal
The Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) — formerly PRTQ / QSWP — evaluates skilled workers based on a points-based invitation system managed through the Arrima portal.
- Arrima EOI Submission: Candidates submit a free Expression of Interest profile in Arrima. Profiles remain active for 12 months.
- Points Allocation: Points are heavily weighted toward French language proficiency, age, level of education, field of training, and skilled work experience.
- Validated Job Offer (VJO): Having a Validated Job Offer (Offre d'emploi validée) from a Quebec employer outside the Montreal metropolitan area significantly boosts your ranking score and invitation odds.
Step-by-Step Selection Roadmap to PR
- 1. Pass French Proficiency Test: Achieve Level 7 (B2) on TEF Québec, TCF Québec, or TEF Canada.
- 2. Submit Application via Mon Projet Québec / Arrima: Submit PEQ application or PSTQ profile to MIFI.
- 3. Pass Quebec Values Test: Complete the online Attestation of Learning about Democratic Values and Quebec Values.
- 4. Receive CSQ: MIFI issues your official Certificat de sélection du Québec.
- 5. Submit Federal PR to IRCC: Submit your paper or online federal PR application to IRCC for final processing.
Frequently Asked Questions (Quebec Immigration)
• MIFI Quebec PEQ Official Portal: quebec.ca/peq-immigration
• MIFI Quebec PSTQ Skilled Worker Program: quebec.ca/pstq-quebec
• Arrima Expression of Interest Portal: quebec.ca/arrima